This is a summary of Employee Benefits at National Museums Scotland. Full details are available to new employees via our Intranet.
Civil Service Pension Scheme
The Civil Service Pension Scheme arrangements form a valuable part of the salary package and is considered an excellent benefit. The pension is secure, being backed by government guarantee. National Museums pays between 20 - 24.5% of an employee’s gross salary towards an employee’s pension, much higher than any other pension scheme. Members’ contributions are comparatively low between 4 - 7%. The CSPS website provides more details.
Annual Leave
28.5 days annual leave per annum, rising to 33.5 days per annum after 5 years’ service, pro-rata for part time and temporary staff
Public Holidays
8 days a year, pro-rata for part time and temporary staff
Flexi-time
Flexible working hours are offered to provide a more flexible way to work contracted hours within operational requirements. Eligibility to participate is detailed in Contracts of Employment and further details can be found on National Museums Intranet.
Special/Dependant Leave
Paid special leave/dependent leave is available to staff where they need to deal with an emergency or an urgent situation involving a dependant. Approval of paid leave is normally a maximum of 5 days in a calendar year but leave without pay may be granted for longer periods according to circumstances.
Family Leave
Eligible employees are entitled to: 18 weeks maternity, shared parental and adoption leave, paid as full pay; 2 weeks paternity/partner leave paid as full pay; Leave and pay in a surrogacy situation and Fertility Leave and Pay.
Sick Pay
We have a generous sick pay scheme granting 6 months full pay and 6 months half pay, subject to Museums Sick Pay rules.
Medical Appointments
Employees are expected to attend GP, dental and optical appointments in their own time as far as possible. Managers have discretion to authorise a maximum of 6 hours (pro-rata for part-time staff) in any calendar year where this is not possible.
Childcare
Eligible parents can participate in the Government’s Tax Free Childcare scheme.
Capital Credit
Union National Museums Scotland is a Sponsoring Employer of Capital Credit Union, an ethical not for profit financial cooperative that provides savings and lending solutions to its members. Employees may save into a Capital Credit Union account via their salary. For more information, please refer to Capital Credit Union.
Training&Development
National Museums Scotland has a dedicated training and development budget to support individual and organisational training and development activities.
Further Education Funding
National Museums Scotland supports the uptake of further study and the achievement of external qualifications where it is relevant to an employee’s job role.
Healthy Working Lives
We hold a Silver Level Healthy Working Lives Award. We organise health, fitness and wellbeing initiatives to support health and wellbeing at work. Examples of employee run sports and social clubs are Team T-Rex (Running), The Blue Monkeys (Football), Walking Group, Crafty Lunch Group, Yoga, Badminton, Golf Club and Photography Club.
Free Entry
Employees have free entry to any of our museums and special exhibitions, receive invitations to previews of special exhibitions and receive a family ticket to attend the Airshow at the National Museum of Flight.
Family&Friends Tickets
Employees receive 12 free Friends and Family tickets each year to allow others to visit our museums or attend specific events and exhibitions.
ASVA Card
The Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions card allows free entry into a huge range of visitor attractions. The ASVA website has more details.
iCOM Card
An ICOM Card allows free entry to thousands of museums and exhibitions all over the world.
UK Museums & Galleries
We have arrangements with a number organisations offering free or discounted admission to National Museums employees, including the British Museum, National Galleries of Scotland, Tate, The National Gallery and the Victoria and Albert Museum, etc. A full list of participating organisations can be found here.
Discounts
Discounts are available in local shops and businesses.
My Lifestyle
Employees can access an exclusive website for savings and discounts from high street and online retailers including food, electricals, financial products and holidays.
Cycle2Work Scheme
Eligible employees may choose to take part in Cycle to Work – a salary sacrifice scheme.
Season Tickets
Advances are available to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work.
Flu Jabs
Free Flu vaccinations are available through an in-house clinic, e-voucher or submitting a receipt from their local chemist.
Health Checks
Free annual health check at are offered to everyone. Measuring blood pressure, body max index, blood glucose level, cholesterol levels and weight, the checks provide the opportunity to get lifestyle advice about smoking, alcohol, healthy eating, managing stress/mental health and weight/exercise, etc.
Employee Assistance Programme
A comprehensive and confidential Employee Assistance Programme allows access an extensive range of support services 24-hour basis, 365 days per year.
Occupational Health
OH provides health and disability advice, health assessments and health surveillance services.
VDU Eyewear
Reimbursement is available, up to £50, for eyewear where a qualified optician considers the use of eyewear necessary to correct vision for VDU screen work.
Trade Unions
National Museums Scotland recognises three trade unions (PCS, Prospect and FDA) under a Partnership Agreement.
Charity for Civil Servants
The Charity for Civil Servants is able to offer employees and their financial dependents a range of advice and financial help. Find out more on their website.