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Working at Birkbeck

Working at Birkbeck, University of London, comes with a range of staff benefits designed to support wellbeing, career development, and work-life balance. As well as benefitting from a prime location in Bloomsbury, the hub of the University district near Euston, London, it’s also within walking distance of Central London’s shops and restaurants.

Here's an overview of the key benefits:

Leave and Flexibility

  • Annual Leave: Full-time employees receive 31 days leave per year - 25 days of annual leave, and six College closure days. In addition to eight bank holidays.
  • Family Leave: Birkbeck offers generous maternity, paternity, adoption, and shared parental leave. For instance, eligible staff can receive 26 weeks of full pay during maternity or adoption leave, with the option to take up to 52 weeks in total.
  • Flexible and Hybrid Working: Staff can request flexible working arrangements from day one of employment. Options include hybrid working, part-time hours, compressed hours, job-sharing, and homeworking, subject to operational needs.
  • Career Breaks: Employees with five years of continuous service may apply for a career break.

Career Development and Progression

  • Professional Development: Birkbeck offers various development opportunities, including mentoring schemes, and leadership programs as well as the Lifelong Learning Contribution scheme which offers a substantial contribution towards the cost of the tuition fees and, together with study leave, provides a comprehensive support package for those undertaking Birkbeck part-time courses.
  • Academic Progression: Academic staff can apply annually for promotion to positions such as Senior Lecturer, Reader, or Professor.
  • Performance Reviews: Regular Progress and Development Reviews (PDRs) are conducted to support staff in setting and achieving professional goals.

Pay, Pension, and Financial Support

  • Competitive Salaries: Salaries are aligned with national university pay scales and include London Weighting.
  • Pension Schemes: Employees are eligible to join one of two generous pension schemes – the USS scheme contributes 14.5 % from employers, and 6.1% from employees, and the SAUL scheme contributes 19% from employers, and 16% from employees. Both offer tax-free lump sum payments and annual pensions upon retirement, along with a 'Death in Service' lump sum payment.
  • Season Ticket Loans: Interest-free loans are available to staff with at least one year of service to assist with travel costs.
  • Cycle to Work Scheme: Staff can save on the purchase of bicycles, including electric bikes, through the Cyclescheme partnership.

Wellbeing and Support

  • Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): A free and confidential support service provides 24-hour access to information, advice, and emotional support, including up to six counselling sessions with a BACP-accredited counsellor.
  • Eye Tests: Staff who use display screen equipment as part of their job are entitled to free eye tests and, if needed solely for DSE purposes, a free pair of single vision spectacles.
  • Childcare Support: Access to the government-supported Tax-Free Childcare programme is available to staff.

Learning and Lifestyle Perks

  • Library Access: Staff can visit, borrow materials, and access digital resources from the Birkbeck Library, as well as the nearby Senate House Library.
  • Cinema Access: The Birkbeck Gordon Square Cinema hosts regular free film screenings for staff.
  • NUS Discounts: Staff are eligible for a National Union of Students (NUS) TOTUM card, offering various discounts on fashion, travel, health, dining, and more. For more detailed information, you can visit Birkbeck's Benefits of Working at Birkbeck page.