Employee Benefits

Employee Benefits 

At the British Heart Foundation we offer our employees extensive benefits that increase with service. Our Terms and Conditions of employment are the same for permanent or temporary employees and are detailed below. 

Salary: 

Salary is paid in arrears in 12 equal instalments, on the 23rd of each month or the nearest normal working day prior to the 23rd. Payments are made by direct transfer into your personal bank account. 

Salaries are normally reviewed annually. Any adjustment to your salary, which will take into account a review of your performance, will be notified to you in writing. 

Annual Leave: 

30 days (pro-rata for part-time employees) entitlement per annum exclusive of bank holidays. The annual leave year runs from 1 January to 31 December inclusive with 3 or 4 days leave to be assigned for the Christmas Shutdown in regional offices. 

Life Assurance: 

Four times basic salary to nominated individuals should an employee die in service. 

Probationary Period:
Probationary period for all office based staff is 3 months. Home based/remote workers probationary period is 6 months 

Notice Period: 

Non management employees - 2 weeks during probation, rising to 4 weeks thereafter. 

Management employees - 4 weeks during probation, rising to 8 weeks thereafter. 

Senior Management/Director’s – 12 weeks regardless of length of service. 

N.B. These are general guidelines and may vary slightly depending upon the role. Any variations to the above will be discussed upon offer of employment. 

Sick Pay: 

Up to 2 years service - 4 weeks full pay, 4 weeks half pay
3 and 4 years service - 8 weeks full pay, 8 weeks half pay
5 + years service - 12 weeks full pay, 12 weeks half pay 

When the Foundation Sick pay has been exhausted and an employee remains ill, he/she will continue to be paid any Statutory Sick Pay under the rules. 

Flexi time: 

BHF encourages flexible working agreements and runs a Flexitime policy. Working times can be agreed with your manager to suit both parties as long as core working hours of 10:00 – 16:00 hours are adhered to. 

Child Care Vouchers: 

Child care vouchers are available to all employees with child care costs who earn above the national minimum wage. 

On successful completion of probation: 

Pension: 

We offer a Group Personal Pension Plan, currently with Scottish Widows. The plan is a contributory scheme where employees contribute 2.5% of their salary or more and the Foundation makes contributions, as detailed below on behalf of the employee. 

Age                                               Foundation Contribution Rate (% of salary)
Up to                                             35 8.0%
36-45                                            11.0%
46-55                                            15.0%
56-65 (BHF) retirement age)    20.0% 

Healthcare: 

Employees are given the choice between one of the following:

• AXA PPP – full private healthcare, inclusive of DenPlan. 
• HeartPack – A simplified health insurance scheme which includes
  annual travel insurance and DenPlan; or 
• £325 contribution towards gym membership (interest free loan for
  balance of subscription).

Interest free annual season ticket loan: 

Employees are eligible for Interest free annual season ticket loans, which is deducted at source in twelve equal monthly instalments. 

Bike Loan: 

Employees are entitled to an interest free bike loan, which is deducted at source in twelve equal monthly instalments. 

Cycle to Work Scheme: 

With our cycle to work scheme employees can benefit from a tax saving of 33% - 41%, (depending on your tax banding) off the purchase price of a new bike. The bike is leased for a period of 12 months, with hire costs deducted directly from your gross salary in twelve equal monthly instalments. At the end of the agreement you can purchase the bike with a one off payment of 3%. 

After one year’s service: 

Study Policy: 

We support our employee’s professional development and financial support is available to further agreed training through educational programs. 

After two year’s service: 

Additional Healthcare: 

An additional healthcare benefit may be chosen out of the three previously listed options. 

After Five Years Service: 

Permanent Disability Insurance: 

Insurance cover is given, after the completion of 5 years service, to provide a percentage of ongoing income and pensions contributions to normal retirement age in the event of permanent disability. 

Loyalty Awards: 

Long service awards are given to recognise employee’s loyalty and experience with BHF. Recognised milestones are 5, 10, 20, 25 and 30 years’ service.