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Benefits of working at Birkbeck

There are plenty of reasons to join Birkbeck as a member of staff.

We offer competitive pay, leave and pension entitlements, flexible working and career development, and we also offer support for travel, wellbeing, and a commitment to lifelong learning.

  • Annual leave: The standard annual leave entitlement for full-time employees is 25 annual leave days, eight bank holidays and six College closure days (total 39 days).
  • Enhanced family leave: Birkbeck offers a full range of family leave opportunities.
  • Flexible working: The College will consider all requests to formally vary working hours and determine whether they are possible within the wider business needs of the College.
  • Relocation assistance: We offer comprehensive relocation assistance, which helps us to fulfil our mission to attract and recruit staff of the highest calibre.
  • Career breaks (for professional and support, and teaching and scholarship staff): This is available for employees with five years' continuous service.
  • Academic progression: We have an annual academic progression process, in which academic staff can apply for promotion to progress to Senior Lecturer, Reader or Professor.
  • Professors and senior staff: The Remuneration Committee normally meets once a year to consider pay arrangements for Professorial and Senior Professional Services staff.
  • Contribution-related pay: Increments and/or bonus payments are available to professional and support staff, teaching and scholarship staff, and research staff.
  • Development events and briefings: We offer a wide range of development events, including management and leadership development and mentoring schemes, to all staff.
  • Pensions: Employees are eligible to join one of two pension schemes. Both provide tax-free lump sum payments and annual pensions upon retirement, and offer a 'Death in Service' lump sum payment.
  • Employee Assistance Programme: A free and confidential support service gives staff 24-hour access to information, advice and emotional support via email, telephone and online. Staff can access up to six counselling sessions with a BACP-accredited counsellor. Birkbeck staff members can access the information on SharePoint.
  • Staff networks: There is a variety of staff networks, providing opportunities to network, support each other, and share experiences.
  • Cycle to work scheme: This scheme provides savings of up to 39% on the purchase of any bike, including electric bikes, providing your chosen supplier is able to supply it and is a Cyclescheme partner.
  • Season ticket loan: Staff with service of one year or more can apply for an interest-free season ticket loan to help with travel to work.
  • Eye tests: Staff who use display screen equipment (DSE) 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 vouchers: Staff can access the government-supported Tax-Free Childcare programme.
  • Library: All staff can visit, borrow materials and access digital resources from the Birkbeck Library, and visit, attend events and borrow items from the nearby Senate House Library.
  • Cinema access: The Birkbeck Gordon Square Cinema hosts regular free film screenings.
  • NUS discounts for staff: Staff are eligible for a National Union of Students (NUS) TOTUM card, which provides a variety of discounts on fashion, travel, health, eating out and more.