What goes into a Salary Package? The wants and the must-haves.

Guides, Jobseeker, Jobseekers / 02 November 2021

When you apply for a job – putting aside the actual role itself – salary is often one of the main factors that will attract you. It may be that you need a certain level of pay to exist or you want to move to a job with a higher salary to improve your quality of life.

Salary, however, is just one element of the remuneration you will receive as an employee. Those other elements, such as pension and paid holiday, will boost the total value of your salary package and generally make your life easier.

So what must an employer provide as part of your salary package and what are simply employee perks?

What goes into a Salary Package?

 

The must-haves


The must-haves are the factors that an employer is legally required to provide for their workers, with a number of exceptions. For instance, it may be necessary that you work a set number of weeks before you are eligible for a specific employee benefit.

The HMRC provide a clear classification of what a worker is and what their employment rights are.
 

Pay


All workers over school-leaving age must receive the national minimum wage or the national living wage. The national living wage is payable to workers aged 23 years or older. It doesn’t matter whether your role is part-time, an apprenticeship, or on a trial basis; if you are a worker, your employer must pay you the national minimum or living wage.

 

Pension


All employers must provide a workplace pension scheme for their workers who are 22 years or older, earn at least £10,000 per year, and generally work in the UK. Both you and your employer are expected to contribute to the pension. You may also have the option to sacrifice a further portion of your salary to increase your pension contribution.

 

Paid Holiday


Most workers are entitled to the equivalent of 5.6 weeks’ paid holiday per year. What this means is that if you work five days a week, you will be entitled to 5 days x 5.6, which equates to 28 days. If you work two days a week, 2 days x 5.6 = 11.2 days. The maximum paid holiday that an employer is legally required to provide is 28 days and they may include bank holidays in the statutory holiday entitlement.

 

Sick Pay


Statutory sick pay (SSP) is £96.35 per week for a maximum of 28 weeks. This is the minimum you are eligible to receive, but some employers provide an occupational sick pay scheme that offers a higher amount and improved conditions.

Different rules apply for agricultural workers.

 

Maternity Pay


If you are a worker and give sufficient notice, you will be eligible to take 52 weeks maternity leave. If you have worked continuously for an employer for at least 26 weeks and earn £120 per week or more, you are entitled to 39 weeks’ maternity pay. This is the legally required minimum. Maternity pay is 90% of your average earnings for the first 6 weeks, and then the lower amount of £151.97 or 90% of average earnings for the remaining 33 weeks.

 

Paternity/Adoption Pay


The statutory provision for paternity leave and pay is to take one or two weeks in one block at a weekly pay rate of £151.97 or 90% of what you would on average earn per week.

Statutory adoption leave and pay are the same as maternity leave and pay.

 

The wants


Beyond what an employer is legally required to provide, such as minimum wage or workplace pension, there are plenty of employee benefits that can not only boost the monetary value of your salary but also make life easier.

Wants might include:

  • bonuses and commission
  • private healthcare
  • share options
  • company car
  • life insurance
  • season ticket loan
  • childcare vouchers
  • gym membership

 

What to consider when evaluating a salary package


The first step is to assess the value of each element of the salary package. That might be salary, company car, childcare vouchers, and a yearly bonus. How much financial benefit will each add to your life? For instance, how much money will you save by having a company car?

Once you’ve done your sums, compare with salary packages for equivalent jobs or other vacancies that you might like to apply for.

Finally, ask yourself:

  • What do you need? A certain level of salary?
  • What matters most? High basic salary or the chance to boost a lower salary with commission fees?
  • Which employee benefits are relevant to you now and/or are likely to be relevant in the future?

 

Wrapping it up


Salary is always a leading factor in deciding whether to apply for a vacancy but it’s worthwhile checking the details of the entire salary package. The must-haves and wants may well flag up vacancies you had already dismissed.

Ready to make the jump to a new career challenge? Our Ultimate Jobseeker Guide has plenty of helpful tips and advice.

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