The Trust saved £44,000 in 2009-10 through its salary sacrifice benefits strategy. For instance, around 50 staff have bought a bike via the Cyclescheme - this saves the Trust around £6,000 p.a. and promotes the Trust’s green strategy.
Schemes for working families at Chelsea and Westminster include childcare vouchers that have been taken up by 99 staff and save the Trust around £30,000 p.a. in employer National Insurance and pension contributions.
The workplace nursery scheme gives staff priority access to nurseries in and around London. Staff gain tax benefits that can save them up to 40% of the cost of their childcare, and the Trust also saves around £8,000 p.a. on National Insurance and pension costs.
The Trust has set a target of £90,000 savings via salary sacrifice to help with the Trust cost improvement plans during the current recession.
The award judges were particularly impressed by the new 'Hub' - an area next to the staff restaurant, where employees can access the internet in their free time as well as using the 16 computers for private e-learning.
Staff have access to physiotherapy at work to combat back and musculoskeletal problems that can cause absenteeism. Average monthly sickness absence at Chelsea and Westminster is 3.45% (the top acute trust in London) and staff turnover has reduced since the HR strategy was introduced.