The NHS offers one of the most competitive and flexible benefits packages offered by any employer in the UK. Here we detail some of the employee benefits that you can expect if you join the NHS workforce.
- Pay and conditions
- Annual leave
- A work-life balance
- Career progression
- NHS pension scheme
- Maternity and Paternity leave
- Sick leave
- Study leave and budgets
- Childcare support
- NHS discounts
Pay and conditions
The NHS offers a fair, transparent and competitive pay structure. As well as being given opportunities to increase your pay through training and development, you’ll also receive pay enhancements for out of hours working, overtime, on-calls etc.
Annual leave
As an NHS employee, you’ll receive a minimum of 27 days of annual leave each year, plus 8 days of public holidays. As your length of service increases with the NHS, so will your annual leave entitlement.
A work-life balance
As one of the largest employers in the world, the NHS recognises the importance of a healthy balance between work and life for its employees. In 2000, the Improving Working Lives (IWL) initiative was introduced and has since helped in reducing stress, increasing motivation, and improving productivity among staff.
In an effort to help employees find a work-life balance…
- part time roles and job-share opportunities are often available
- support is often given in arranging childcare, including nursery care, after school clubs and emergency care
- if you’re studying for a qualification, raising a family, or juggling other responsibilities, the NHS will do everything they can to combine these commitments with your work
- you’ll have access to NHS occupational health services, such as counselling
Career progression
You’ll have an annual personal development review which is designed to help and support you in planning and achieving your career aspirations.
NHS pension scheme
The NHS pension scheme offers excellent benefits for its members for when they retire.
When you start your career with the NHS, you’ll automatically be enrolled into the NHS pension scheme.
As the scheme is voluntary, you can choose to opt-out should you wish.
Maternity and Paternity leave
Regardless of your length of service with the NHS, all pregnant employees are entitled to up to a year maternity leave. Fathers are entitled to 2 weeks paternity leave. This also applies to same-sex partners.
Shared parental leave may also be a possibility.
To find out more about maternity and paternity leave in the NHS, click here.
Sick leave
If you’re unfortunately absent from work due to illness then you’re entitled to receive sick pay, subject to the conditions of your contract. Sick days will not be deducted from your annual leave entitlement.
Study leave and budgets
If you’re in an NHS training post from FY2 and above, you’ll be entitled to paid study leave. The maximum number of days study leave per year is 30 days (for a full time trainee) – Some of these days may be taken up by your specialties mandatory training days.
In addition to this, you’ll also be allocated a small study allowance, helping to contribute towards the costings of attending conferences and courses.
Childcare support
Many NHS organisations across the UK have access to nurseries on-site for the children of staff. Many NHS trusts and health boards also offer childcare vouchers and some even employ a child or care co-ordinator to help you find the right childcare solutions for your needs.
NHS discounts
There are a huge range of NHS discounts available, such as money saving deals and vouchers, across a variety of products and services – These include travel and holiday deals, hotel discounts, restaurant deals, clothes stores, mobile phone deals and more.
If you have any questions relating to your contract and the benefits which you’re entitled to, please speak with your HR department.
If you’re interested in working in the UK and would like to discuss the positions available in your specialty, and how we can assist you, please contact our team.
