Most UK employees know about their salary and pension, but workplace benefits packages often contain perks worth £1,000–£5,000 per year that go completely unclaimed. From cycle-to-work schemes saving 25–39% on a new bike to health cashback plans covering dental and optical costs, employee discount platforms offering 5–15% off major retailers, and salary sacrifice electric car schemes — the list is longer than most people realise. HR departments rarely promote these effectively, so it's on you to dig in and claim what you're entitled to.
Cycle to Work Scheme
The Cycle to Work scheme lets you get a bike and accessories through your employer, paid for via salary sacrifice over 12 months. Because the payments come from your gross salary (before tax and NI), you save 25–39% compared to buying outright, depending on your tax bracket. In 2026, there's no upper limit on bike value, so electric bikes costing £2,000–£3,000 are popular choices. At the end of the hire period, you can usually buy the bike for a nominal fee (typically 3–7% of the original price).
- •Save 25–39% on a bike through salary sacrifice
- •No upper limit on bike value
- •Includes accessories: helmet, lights, locks, panniers
- •E-bikes are eligible and increasingly popular
- •12-month salary sacrifice period
- •Buy the bike at end for 3–7% of original price
Can I use Cycle to Work if I only cycle occasionally?+
Yes — the scheme requires that you intend to use the bike mainly for commuting, but there's no minimum number of days. Even cycling once a week qualifies, and you can use it for leisure too.
Health and Wellbeing Benefits
Many employers offer health cashback plans (like Simplyhealth or Westfield Health) that reimburse dental checkups, optical prescriptions, physiotherapy, and other routine health costs. These are often free or very low cost through your employer. Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) provide free confidential counselling — typically 6 sessions per issue per year. Some employers offer private medical insurance, gym subsidies (up to £600/year), and mental health apps like Headspace or Calm for free.
- •Health cashback plans: claim back dental, optical, and therapy costs
- •Employee Assistance Programme: free confidential counselling
- •Private medical insurance: check if included in your package
- •Gym subsidies: many employers offer up to £600/year
- •Free mental health apps: Headspace, Calm, or similar
- •Flu jabs and health assessments: often free through work
Financial Benefits and Discounts
Employee discount platforms like Perkbox, Reward Gateway, or Edenred offer 5–15% off at hundreds of retailers, restaurants, and services. Some employers offer salary advance schemes (access to earned wages before payday), interest-free season ticket loans for commuters, and enhanced pension matching. Check if your employer matches pension contributions above the minimum — many will match up to 6% or even 10%, effectively doubling your contribution. That's thousands of pounds in free money you might be leaving on the table.
- •Employee discount platforms: 5–15% off major retailers
- •Season ticket loans: interest-free, repaid monthly from salary
- •Enhanced pension matching: check if employer matches above 3%
- •Salary advance: access earned wages early (no payday loan needed)
- •Electric car salary sacrifice: save 30–60% on an EV lease
- •Technology schemes: discounts on laptops, phones, and accessories
How to Find Your Full Benefits Package
Start by asking HR for a complete list of all available employee benefits. Many companies have a benefits portal or intranet page that lists everything. Check your contract and employee handbook — benefits are sometimes mentioned in passing. Ask colleagues what benefits they use, as word-of-mouth often uncovers perks HR doesn't actively promote. If you're starting a new job, ask about the full benefits package during offer negotiation — it can be worth more than a salary bump. Log the value of benefits you're using in SYM alongside your income to see your true total compensation.
- •Ask HR for a complete benefits list
- •Check the company intranet or benefits portal
- •Ask colleagues what they use
- •Review your contract and employee handbook
- •Negotiate benefits as part of your total compensation package
- •Track the value of benefits you use in SYM
#workplace benefits#employee perks#salary#uk finance
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