Benefits Spotlight
Employee Benefits
Purchasing additional holiday
The University provides an opportunity for staff to purchase additional holiday. This is on offer throughout March 2026.
Colleagues are invited to purchase up to two week’s holiday, subject to specific limitations outlined in the policy. The deadline for applications is 31 March, with applications confirmed following line manager approval and the necessary affordability validation checks. Additional holiday will be paid for via a regular monthly deduction, spread in equal instalments across the holiday year.
The next opportunity will be in September 2026 for the next holiday year.
The Additional Holiday Policy and Line Manager Guidance, as well as a link to the application form and cost calculator, is available via the Additional Holiday SharePoint page.
Low Emission Car Scheme webinar
The Low Emission Car Scheme is designed to provide you with competitively priced and trouble-free motoring, with no deposits required and the cost fixed for the duration of the lease. You’ll be provided with insurance for you and up to four others, breakdown cover, as well as all servicing and maintenance.
To find out more about this tax-efficient way to lease a new or used low emission (hybrid or electric) car, join our account manager, Christopher Moore, from Fleet Solutions at a Teams webinar on Friday 20 March, 12:00 to 12:30. There will be an opportunity to ask questions. Please join the webinar here, details below.
Join:https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/34885619760882?p=wqcP6Zx5s04k8MPCxA
Meeting ID: 348 856 197 608 82. Passcode: C3Nr62yx
Please contact the Reward & Recognition team at reward@soton.ac.uk if you have any queries.
Find out more about the low emission car scheme here.
Staff Discounts (MyDiscounts)
The University offers a range of retail, leisure, and service discounts to staff. Explore our MyDiscounts portal here to discover what’s available. A selection of our latest offers is below. Contact the Reward & Recognition team with your discount suggestions here.
Health & Wellbeing
- David Lloyd Southampton – One-week free trial membership for staff. Find out more here.
- The Ocean Rooms – 10% discount on spa and relaxation treatments. Find out more here.
Shopping, Gifts & Local Makers
- Dessi Designs – 10% discount on gifts and handmade items. Find out more here.
- Eflorist – 20% discount on flowers and gift deliveries. Find out more here.
Food & Drink
- Kohinoor of Kerala – 10% discount on food (restaurant and take away) Sunday to Thursday. Find out more here.
- Nando’s Southampton Guildhall – 10% discount on food and drink (restaurant only). Find out more here.
Entertainment & Leisure
- Harbour Lights Picturehouse – £1.50 discount on the standard ticket price Tuesday to Sunday with staff ID card (promotional pricing applies on Mondays). Find out more here.
- The Joiners – 15% discount on the door ticket price with staff ID card. Find out more here.
Travel & Tourism
- Carter Travel Co – 10% discount on all services for private bookings. Find out more here.
- More Sailing – 10% discount on sailing holidays, travel & adventure in Europe. Find out more here.
Reward Newsletter
The Reward & Recognition team have a newsletter with information on the latest offers and discounts for staff. If you would like to subscribe, complete our short form (Microsoft Form) and we’ll add you to our mailing list.
