We recognise the hard work of our staff and the contribution they make
Our staff have access to a wide range of benefits
Generous annual leave
UAL staff enjoy a generous annual leave allowance on top of bank holidays. This ranges from 31 up to 39 days annual leave depending on the job grade, job family (non-academic and academic) and working full-time. Part-time/fractional staff receive annual leave on a pro-rata basis.
Non-academic staff:
- The leave year for non-academic staff runs from 1 August to 31 July
- Grades 1 – 4 receive 31 days annual leave per annum
- Grades 5 and above are entitled to 34 days annual leave per annum
Academic/teaching staff
- The leave year for academic/teaching staff runs from 1 September to 31 August
- Full-time staff receive 39 days annual leave per annum
UAL is normally closed between Christmas and New Year and all staff are required to take a maximum of three days leave on those days.
Working times
The standard full-time week is for Non-Academic staff is:
- Grades 1 – 7 work 35 hours a week
- Individual contracts and above work 37 hours a week
The standard full-time week for Academic and Research staff:
- 37 hours a week
Defined benefit pension schemes
If you have a contract longer than 12 weeks, you can join one of the 3 benefit pension schemes at UAL. These offer competitive rates and some offer life cover payouts.
Sector-leading Equal Parental Leave
UAL has a sector-leading parental pay and leave provision which offers an equal package to staff irrespective of gender, sexual orientation or how people become parents. The policy entitles eligible salaried employees and Hourly Paid Lecturers 26 weeks of full maternity or paternity pay.
Flexible working
Flexible working can be requested after 26 weeks of employment. It may apply to the hours you work, the times that you work or where you work.
Dynamic Working
Dynamic Working is the flexible and agile way we deliver as a university by matching the task to the location. This means working on-site when relevant but not coming in every day if it’s more beneficial to do other tasks elsewhere.
We will still deliver our priorities and objectives, but with greater flexibility on how and where this is achieved.
Work-life balance
We want our staff to have a reasonable balance between working and non-working time. This means having time for family and caring responsibilities, leisure and hobbies.
This work-life balance also benefits UAL as it:
- improves recruitment and retention reduces sickness, accidents and incidence of stress increases productivity and greater commitment to work increases morale
- Free places on UAL Short Courses
- UAL staff can join certain short courses subject to availability.
Volunteering leave
UAL staff have 3 days (one as part of a team project) of paid leave to volunteer for a charity registered in the UK.
Interest-free season ticket loan
Interest-free loans are available to cover the cost of an annual season ticket for the journey to and from work. This includes rail, London Underground, bus or other season tickets.
TOTUM discount
TOTUM, the new name for the NUS extra card, offers over 200 UK student discounts and is also available to UAL staff.
Computer purchase loan scheme
UAL staff can apply for a loan to buy a computer for personal use after successful completion of the probationary period.
Wellbeing
UAL staff can take advantage of corporate rates at various gyms and fitness centres across London.
If you use a computer at work you are eligible for a free eye test plus a discount on glasses via Specsavers.
UAL offers access to a discounted private healthcare insurance scheme: Bupa Eduhealth Essentials Scheme- The scheme is provided by Bupa Insurance Ltd and is a specially rated private medical insurance scheme for those working in the education sector.
The Cycle to Work scheme can help you to buy a bike via salary sacrifice. This involves paying for it in monthly instalments deducted from your pay and helps save tax.
We have a supportive sick pay scheme for those times when you’re ill and have access to a specialist occupational health service. UAL staff can access a counselling and advisory service online or over the phone. It’s available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, covering any issue that may be affecting you.
People Development
We do everything we can to support personal and professional development.
We do everything we can to support personal and professional development. We offer a range of courses and opportunities that include:
- Free staff places on UAL short courses
- Erasmus+ Staff Mobility: Join the EU’s programme and gain professional development by teaching or training with an organisation in another country
- Access to LinkedIn Learning