The Teesside Advantage/Benefits of working here

The University provides a range of benefits associated with pay. These are as follows:

• Salaries: The salary scales for University staff are within the national spine point. Professorial salaries are paid from a separate scale. The University has adopted the Voluntary Living Wage and ensures its pay scale reflects this approach.
• Enhancements: Staff who work overtime, shift patterns or at the weekend may be subject to enhancements, described in the HR Document on overtime, shift pay and premium pay.
• Sick Pay Scheme: If you are ill from work the University operates a Sick Pay Scheme which entitles you to sick pay, subject to certain provisions.
• Maternity/Paternity/Adoption: If you are having a baby or adopting a child then the University supports you through the Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Policy.
• Additional Duties: There may be times when you are called to do additional duties and in certain circumstances these may attract additional pay.
• Pensions: University staff are automatically enrolled into a generous pension scheme, Teachers' Pension and LGPS Pension, depending on your role. The LGPS scheme offers a 50/50 Selection where you have the flexibility to pay half your normal contribution rate and build up half your normal pension whilst retaining full life and ill-health cover.The pension scheme provides a death in service benefit of 3x your annual salary, plus a pension for dependants.
• Voluntary Contributions: Employees who pay into the University's two pension schemes (LGPS and TPS) can pay Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs) to build up a pot of money which is used to provide benefits on top of your pension benefits.
  
  AVCs are taken directly from your pay before your tax is worked out, so if you pay tax, you will receive tax relief automatically.

We recognise that effective learning and development is vital to the success of the University, in facilitating the achievement of individual, team, directorate and University objectives.

The ODL team are committed to providing a flexible service that develops the professional skills, confidence, knowledge, behaviours, and expertise of current and future staff to contribute effectively in executing corporate strategy, as well as enabling individuals to achieve their full potential.

Learning is a continuous journey towards improvement, high performance and career progression. Initial and continuing professional development is important, and taking time out of work is both valued and expected.

A wide range of development is available for all staff, regardless of role; this includes soft skills, self-study, tailored learning, leadership and management programmes, and resources and toolkits in support of personal, professional and career aspirational development. Funding towards academic qualifications is available, and there is also the opportunity to study formal qualifications, fully or partly funded by the University, through the CSDB or apprenticeship route.

• New starter development: It is crucial that new starters are welcomed and supported as they transition into their new role at the University. A number of key development options are available and expected for all new staff from central, local and mandatory training. These include initial development plan (IDP) and a personal development and performance review (PDPR).
• Leadership and management development: The University believes that staff at all levels should lead within their own role and area of influence; therefore, it is committed to supporting, inspiring, engaging and developing leaders and managers through excellent people development strategies. Programmes available are Leadership and Management Development Framework, Managing Diversity, Recruiting People, and Leading and Managing Change.
• All staff development: Your continued development within your career at Teesside University can be supported by a number of additional courses, which are available to all staff. These could include academic development, IT qualifications, staff qualifications such as PGCEs, e-learning, coaching and mentoring, and higher degree apprenticeships.
• Academic and researcher development: A number of supporting development programmes are available for those wishing to engage in additional learning opportunities through the Research & Innovation Services department. Further information can be found on the SLAR Unity page.
• Further development: We can also offer support within digital, leading and managing change, all staff and tailored development support.

The University recognises that staff may need additional support financially and it provides the following initiatives to assist:

• Catering Outlets: The University has a number of catering outlets which staff can use and also provides a cashless account through the TUSC card for staff
• Cashless Account: To get exclusive offers and incentives in cafes and coffee shops across campus, sign up to cashless catering. You can use your TUSC card to grab lunch, buy a coffee, pay for printing and binding even if you haven't got any cash on you.
• Tax Free Childcare: Eligible families will get 20% of their annual childcare costs paid for by the government. The scheme is open to single parents/couples who work eight or more hours a week, including those who are self-employed, and who pay for Ofsted registered childcare for a child under the age of 11, or under 16 if the child is disabled. Full information is on the HM Government Childcare Choices web page.
• Amazon Locker: An Amazon Locker 'Sapphire' is located in the underpass to the car park of the Themis Building, near to the back of the Waterhouse Building.
• Relocation Scheme: When you are newly appointed to the University you may be eligible for the Relocation Scheme and can obtain a reduced price for storing belongings at Big Yellow and Armadillo Self Storage.
• Disposal of IT Equipment: ITDSs provide a service which enables the safe and secure disposal of personal IT equipment. Please visit Room MG.01 in the Middlesbrough Tower. For further information please contact ithelp@tees.ac.uk
• Credit Unions: Independent financial co-operatives are available in the area that offer local people savings and affordable loans. Your Community Bank (Tees Credit Union) is local to Middlesbrough and can offer a range of services.
• Teesside Advantage Extra: Our employee benefits platform giving hundreds of lifestyle discounts and access to a wide range of 24/7 support services.
• Transport and Travel: The University offers staff a range of money saving schemes to support travel to work including a green car leasing, cycle to work, Northern Rail season ticket, and an annual bus season ticket.
• Local Childcare Discounts: The University partners with a couple of local independent nurseries who offer a discount on their services for staff and students.

You will have access whilst at the University to a number of benefits associated with holiday and leave. These are as follows:

• Annual Leave: You are entitled to annual leave as part of your employment and, depending on your contract, you have a certain maximum amount you can use during the leave year.
• Bank Holidays:The University recognises a number of Bank Holidays throughout the year, the details of which are available in the HR Document on Bank Holidays.
• Christmas Closure: The University closes over the Christmas and New Year, details of which are published annually, and gives staff up to four extra days, over and above annual leave for this purpose.
• Family Leave: Leave is available to look after a child or to make arrangements for the good of the child enabling employees to combine work and family life, the details of which are available in the HR Document on Family Leave
• Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave: If you are having a baby or adopting a child then the University supports you through the Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Policy.
• Special Leave: There are a range of circumstances where there may be leave available, in addition to annual leave and leave specified in the policies above.
• Severe Weather Guidelines: The University has guidelines for when the weather has become so severe it could impact on the working environment.

Work Life balance is recognised by the University through a selection of approaches which may support you in respect to flexibility concerning work. These are as follows:

• Hybrid Working: Depending on your role, there may be scope for hybrid working. The current agreed working pattern is three days on campus and two days working remotely.
• Flexitime: The University operates a flexitime scheme for Staff on Administrative, Technical and Apprenticeship contracts up to, and including Grade 7. The scheme details are available in the HR Document on the subject.
• Flexible Working: The University offers a flexible and supportive approach to working arrangements through the Flexible Working Policy.
• Job Share: The University supports a job sharing approach to employment, the details of which are in the Job Share Policy.
• Sabbaticals: There may be limited opportunities for staff to have sabbaticals depending on the operational need of the School/Department. Please speak to your School or Department in the first instance. Advice is available from HR.
• Secondments: The University supports the use of secondments for existing staff as a means of career development. There may also be opportunity for secondments outside the University. Please speak to your School or Department in the first instance. Advice is available from HR.
• Fixed Term Contracts: If you are employed on a Fixed Term Contract there are a number of principles in the Fixed Term Contracts Policy that support you.
• Information Technology Support: ITaCS provide guides and software to enable you to work in a variety of different ways at the University and external to the University.

The University aims to support its staff through the provision of a variety of support associated with personal development and recognition. These are as follows:

• Staff Development: Teesside University believes that its staff are its most important and valuable resource and seeks to create an environment which attracts, develops, motivates and rewards all staff through initial and continuing professional and personal development opportunities which are accessible throughout their careers at the university.
• Professional and Personal Development: The University's Organisational Development and Learning team offer a range of personal and professional provision and support, including a leadership and management development framework, continuing professional development, coaching and mentoring.
• Personal Development Review: You undertake an annual PDPR whilst at the University which aims to support your training and development needs as part of the review of your work objectives.
• Equality and Diversity: Support is available to all staff in order to encourage and embrace diversity, equality of access, esteem and opportunity and actively oppose and eradicate prejudice. More information about Equality and Diversity
• Library: The Library is open to staff and you can access library services through your TUSC card.
• Fee Waivers: Staff may be eligible for a fee waiver for certain undergraduate and postgraduate courses. For further information please contact student finance.
• Academic Achievement and Outstanding Contribution Awards: Teesside University annually recognises staff through a set of awards, presented by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Achievement and Outstanding Contribution.
• Long Service Awards:If you have served for 25 years or 40 years the University presents awards for long service.
• Volunteering:There are a number of opportunities for staff to volunteer at the University. Further details are on the Volun-tees web page.

• Health and Fitness: The University has a sports membership scheme to the gym, which includes classes, is open to all staff for a small monthly payment
• Wellbeing Events: The University hosts regular initiatives and events throughout the year to support and encourage staff to look after their wellbeing
• Employee Assistance Programme: A free, confidential counselling service along with other support services open to all staff
• Occupational Health: An in-house occupational health service supports colleagues with health-related issues that may be affecting their work.
• Teesside Sport:Teesside sport offers a number of lunchtime sports activities available to staff at various times throughout the year.
  
  All sessions are free of charge, and no booking is required.

The University recognises that staff may wish to plan their future depending on the stage of their career. Some guidance and support is available as follows:

• Careers: Staff wishing to further their career may access training and support through the Transformation and Organisational Development Team as well as through the Staff Development Database (accessible via 'My University').
• Pensions Advice: The Prudential offers pensions advice for both the Local Government Pension Scheme and Teachers' Pensions Scheme.

The University provides a range of options to ensure that employees are supported with family life. A summary of the time off available to support carers, parents and parents-to-be, as well as the full policies are available to employees via the HR intranet site.

The University offers a range of activities and groups that staff can get involved in and make a great contribution to Team Teesside.

View the activities and groups you can get involved in