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Pay and reward and employee benefits
Competitive Rates of Pay
As a Real Living Wage accredited employer, we aim to offer an attractive salary package for all staff, including annual salary increments (until you reach the ‘contribution points’ of your grade) and an annual cost of living increase, negotiated at a national level.
Reward and Recognition
We reward outstanding contribution and achievement through a range of recognition schemes, such as our separate academic, research and professional services contribution schemes, and our annual long service event.
Progression
Our staff are supported and encouraged to build successful careers. Our career pathways recognise and reward outstanding contributions and celebrate academic and research achievement through promotion and/or pay progression.
Pensions
The University (and its associated employers) offer access to several attractive, tax-efficient pension arrangements for all staff. The scheme that a new employee will join is determined by their contract type.
Benefits and discounts
Working at the University also comes with other perks, including:
- A range of travel discounts
- Employee discounts with local and national retailers – including things like shopping and dining out
- Payroll giving allows you to donate to any UK-registered charity straight from your gross pay
- Access to Colleges, including Kings College chapel, for yourself and up to two guests at a time
- Eligibility to join Costco’s Gold Star membership.
Work-life balance
We offer flexible working to help you strike the right balance between working and living in Cambridge:
- A minimum of 28 days of annual leave (outside term-time) for academic staff, and up to 41 days (including bank holidays) for other staff
- Career break, long-term study leave and other extended leave options available
- Paid leave (up to a maximum of three terms) for Heads of Institution
- A hybrid working policy that aims to enable as many staff as possible to work in this way if they so wish.
Families and caring
We are committed to supporting all our staff, students, and visiting scholars – including those with children and other caring responsibilities. Our childcare services include:
- University nurseries for children from 3 months old. A salary exchange scheme is available for University Employees.
- Holiday playschemes running during all state school holidays except Christmas and bank holidays.
- Stay and Play, offering a welcoming space for parents and carers to spend time with their children and connect with others
- Childcare Information Service, providing guidance and support to help families navigate childcare options and make informed decisions
Family-friendly policies
- Up to 26 weeks full pay for maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave, with an additional 13 weeks at SMP rate and 13 weeks unpaid
- Graduated return from maternity leave for eligible employees
- Sector-leading 12 weeks’ paternity/co-parent leave with full pay
- Female employees are eligible for up to five days paid leave within a 12-month period to cover necessary treatment during a fertility treatment cycle. (Partners also eligible to receive up to two days paid leave).
Health and wellbeing
We are dedicated to creating a healthy, inclusive, and supportive working environment for all staff. To promote mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing, we offer a wide range of resources and programmes, including:
- Wellbeing Support: Access peer-led wellbeing activities and get involved in supporting others by joining the Wellbeing Advocate network.
- Training and Development: A variety of mental health and wellbeing training programmes designed to support staff at all levels.
- Counselling and Occupational Health Services: Access up to 10 free sessions through the University’s Counselling Centre, along with support from our Occupational Health team if you need assistance or adjustments to help you carry out your role effectively.
- Active Staff Programme: Free physical activities provided through the University Sports Service, plus discounted membership including exercise classes and health checks.
- Wellbeing Events Calendar: A year-round programme of events and activities focused on enhancing mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing.
- Healthcare Benefits: Competitive rates for private medical insurance through General and Medical, and a healthcare cash plan through Health Shield, which offers reimbursement for healthcare expenses such as optical, dental, physiotherapy, and specialist consultations.
Our goal is to ensure every member of staff feels supported, valued, and empowered to thrive, both professionally and personally.
Training and development
We value ongoing personal and professional development and want to help our employees reach their goals. When you join us, you’ll be invited to a number of induction events to set you off on the right foot, and throughout your time with us, you’ll have access to:
- A comprehensive programme of in-house training courses, including skills development (e.g. communication, career development and productivity), leadership and management and professional and career development.
- Apprenticeships to increase vocational skills and to gain qualifications
- A library of online training and resources via LinkedIn Learning
- Reimbursement for the cost of professional membership fees (where relevant and subject to approval)
- Access to Professional and Continuing Education, including a 25% concession fee on many of their courses and reduced staff fees for University of Cambridge graduate courses.
- Access to lectures and seminars held by University Departments and Institutions.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We believe that embracing inclusivity enhances our collective impact. We aim to be a leader in fostering equality and inclusion, and by joining us, you will become part of a vibrant, talented, and creative global community.
Here, different backgrounds, perspectives and disciplines meet in meaningful discussion, to unlock new ideas and drive innovation. We all play a unique part in delivering a positive impact in the world.
We have been awarded a bronze Race Equality Charter award, and we have a framework for improving the representation, progression and success of minority ethnic staff and students within higher education.
Our silver Athena Swan award recognises and celebrates good practice in recruiting, retaining and promoting gender equality.
Employment and progression with the University are determined only by personal merit. We assess this by applying criteria related to the duties and conditions of each post and the needs of the institution concerned.
We won’t treat anyone seeking employment with us less favourably because of their sex, gender, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, race, ethnic or national origin, disability, religion or age. Ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration.