Technology Benefits FAQs

Transcription

1 Technology Benefits FAQs Computers, Mobile Phones, Audio Visual (Smart TVs) and Cameras Frequently Asked Questions 1. Am I eligible to take part in these programmes? These programmes enable the Trust to provide the schemes' Technology Products for personal use to eligible employees in return for a reduction in salary (salary sacrifice). Eligible employees are permanent employees and employees on a fixed term contract for a period of at least the length of the repayment period, paid through the Trust payroll, not bank-only employees. You are eligible if you meet all the criteria below: You are paid by the Trust through the Trust payroll; and You are at least 18 years old; and You are paid above minimum wage after you have sacrificed your salary; and You have worked for the Trust for a minimum of 6 months 2. How does the salary sacrifice work? A salary sacrifice is where an employee gives up the right to receive part of their cash pay due under their contract of employment. With all the Benefit Programmes offered the employee agrees to accept a lower amount of salary each month in return for the employer providing a device or devices for personal use. The monthly Gross Salary reductions and Final/Disposal Fee deduction at the end of the scheme will be made direct from salary through Payroll, starting the month following the submission of your order. 3. Do I own the equipment during the Benefit Period? No. The Trust lends you the products during the Benefit Period and until all payments have been made.

2 4. My employment is due to cease before the end of the Salary Sacrifice Agreement Period, can I still participate? Unfortunately the scheme is not available to staff members on Bank or Fixed Term contracts. 5. If my employment ceases on grounds of redundancy how will my redundancy figures be calculated? Redundancy figures will be calculated on the gross salary after the benefit reduction. However, you will be liable to pay the outstanding instalments due to the end of the Benefit Agreement and this will be taken out of your final net salary. If we are unable to deduct from your final net salary an invoice will be sent to you for the full amount that is outstanding. 6. What happens if I reduce my hours? If you reduce your hours during the benefit agreement you can still continue within the scheme if your basic earnings (excluding unsocial hours allowances) do not fall below the national minimum wage. If your earnings fall below the national minimum wage you will be liable to pay the total of the outstanding instalments due to end the benefit agreement. 7. How much will the product(s) cost me? Your gross pay will be reduced by the agreed amount, equivalent in total to the value of the product(s) that you ve chosen, spread evenly over the agreed period. At the end of the agreement a Final/Transfer Fee will be deducted from your net salary. 8. Can I change the specifications of the product(s) on offer? No, the specification for each product is fixed. 9. Can I order more than one product through the programme? Yes, you can order multiple products but you may only have one Smart TV per person, one Camera per person and one Mobile Phone per person. You can only order computing equipment up to the value of 2, When can I order another product/s? If you have a product in a category you cannot place another order in the same category until the term of the Benefit ends (36 months).

3 11. Am I eligible to order these devices? The salary sacrifice scheme is open to all staff on the PAYE payroll (excluding zero hours Bank and some fixed term contracts) where basic salary does not go below the National Minimum Wage after the salary sacrifice has been applied. 12. If I reduce my hours permanently which takes me below minimum wage will my benefit agreement be terminated? Yes, should this take you below minimum wage you will be required to pay the outstanding amount of your benefit agreement from your net salary or by invoice. 13. Will this programme be offered again? The programme will be reviewed on an on-going basis, but it cannot be guaranteed that it will be run again in the future. 14. Can I change my mind once I have signed the Benefit Agreement? No, once you have signed your Benefit Agreement you are not allowed to make a cancellation. 15. Can I have the product(s) delivered to my work-place? No, to ensure delivery, we need to deliver to your home. 16. Are the products covered for insurance? 16.1 Yes for Computers only. The insurance covers accidental damage and water damage, and provides peace of mind for the term of the scheme. Insurance is provided by Mandeville Select Limited and is underwritten by Qudos Insurance A/S Denmark which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority Yes for Mobile Phones only. The insurance covers accidental damage, water damage, loss and theft and provides peace of mind for the term of the scheme. Insurance is provided by Mandeville Select Limited and is underwritten by Qudos Insurance A/S Denmark which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority Please note SMART TVs and Cameras are not covered by the above insurance criteria and MUST be put on your household insurance. Although these products do all carry a manufacturer's warranty. 17. Do I get a tariff with my Mobile Phone? No, all mobile telephones are SIM Free.

4 18. How much will I actually pay for these products through the scheme, after the tax savings? Payslips will show the Gross Salary reduction for your chosen product (in the case of a mobile phone including tariff if selected), but this figure is then subject to savings on Income Tax, National Insurance and Occupational Pension Scheme contributions. With the exception of mobile telephones, tax is then re-assessed as a benefit in kind and you will be provided with a P11D from your employer (this will affect your future tax code). Examples of the savings are shown in detail on the website. 19. Information on regarding effects on NHS Pension The fact that your contractual pay is being reduced means that your level of NHS pension contribution will be reduced. Staff who are going to be transferred into the new NHS Pension scheme in April 2015, or anyone becoming a member of the new scheme after that date, must also be aware that any Salary Sacrifice arrangements that they undertake, will have a direct effect, albeit a small one, on their retirement benefits as well. The new 2015 scheme is not a final salary scheme, and therefore every year your pensionable salary will be taken into account when calculating your retirement benefits. Joining any Salary Sacrifice arrangement, reduces your pensionable salary for the period of time that you are in the arrangement, and subsequently, your Pension benefits will be slightly reduced as a result. If you need any further advice on this matter please the Payroll Department at payroll@tgh.nhs.uk. 20. When will I receive my chosen product(s)? Deliveries will commence after your employer has authorised orders. You will be contacted by or text to advise a delivery date. Delivery will normally be within 4 weeks of the order window closing. However, new product releases (such as ipad or iphone) may have an extended delivery time depending on stock availability from the manufacturer. Please note that deliveries may be affected beyond our control - In these circumstances we will endeavour to offer a similar product. 21. When will payroll deductions start? Payroll deductions will commence one month after the close of the ordering window. Note that deductions will start as stated, regardless of whether you have received your products or not.

5 22. How will I receive my warranty? The activation process for each product will be different, so please ensure you read the paperwork shipped to you with your package. For some products, the extended warranty may be delivered separately from the products. If you have any queries about the warranty or product information you receive please call our Helpline on Where can I find the manufacturer s Helpline numbers? Please click here for the manufacturers' telephone numbers. 24. Where can I find out more about my Product/s Insurance? Please click here for Computer insurance page. Please click here for Mobile Phone insurance page. PLEASE NOTE: For Smart TV s and Cameras you must inform your household insurance company. 25. What do I do when the products are delivered? You are required to confirm receipt by signing the carrier s delivery note. If the product packaging is damaged please ensure that this is noted on the carrier s delivery note as damaged packaging ; or if in doubt reject the delivery. Where such circumstances are applicable you will not be recharged for a subsequent delivery. Important: Please read the standard warranty terms supplied with the products. You are responsible for completing and returning to the manufacturer any registration form and doing anything else needed to activate such warranty. Computer product: Please note that your products come with a standard warranty. To protect you and your products please ensure you fill out your warranty form and register your name and the product with the manufacturer. We also provide technical support and remote support services...all to provide you with trouble free computing. For a laptop, the battery and battery charger will only be covered for the first 6 months under warranty. As such, it is important to follow the instructions that come with your laptop to maintain battery performance. For a desktop, the keyboard and mouse are also only covered for the first 6 months under warranty.

6 For hardware support, telephone your warranty help line - have ready the computer s serial number and your warranty registration details. If your machine cannot be repaired remotely then you will be directed to support staff who will advise you on the process to follow for repair. Mobile Phone product: You are responsible for completing and returning to the manufacturer any registration form and doing anything else needed to activate such standard warranty. For hardware support, telephone your warranty helpline - have ready the mobile phones serial number and your warranty registration details. We also, provide technical support and remote support services..all to provide you with a trouble free experience. Should you have a hardware fault during the Benefit period please contact the manufacturers helpline. Audio Visual (Smart TVs and Cameras): To protect you and your product, we have made sure every item comes with a standard manufacturer s warranty. Should you have a hardware fault during the Benefit Period please contact the warranty helpline. 26. Can I load my own software or upgrade my product(s)? You can load any additional licensed software or connect any additional products to your equipment throughout the Benefit Period. However, you must not violate the manufacturer s warranty terms or instruction. Please Note: If you return the equipment at the end of the Benefit Agreement period, you will need to remove any added items either hardware or software. 27. If I choose a computer will the anti-virus software supplied with my machine be the latest version? Yes, but as with all anti-virus software you will need to download free (for 3 years) updates to protect against the latest viruses. If you choose not to download updates the software will continue to function but you will not be protected against the latest viruses. Anti-virus products offering such protection for 3 years would normally cost you around in the shops or on-line. 28. What happens if I go on maternity, paternity or agreed unpaid leave? If you take any unpaid leave such as Maternity / Paternity & Long Term Illness for any reason during the term of this Agreement, then the salary sacrifice reduction will continue to apply.

7 However, if for any month your salary is reduced beyond a level at which the salary sacrifice can be sustained or you receive no salary as a consequence of such leave you will be invoiced for gross amount payable each month until such time as the salary sacrifice can recommence. Alternatively by prior agreement only we can extend the agreement beyond the original agreement terms for the number of months the salary sacrifice was unable to apply. 29. What if I leave my employment for any reason? If you end your employment with us, the Benefit Agreement will terminate. We will ask you to pay the remaining amounts on the package(s) you have chosen and the additional, if applicable, Transfer / Disposal Fee(s) so that continued use of the products can be arranged for you. This will be deducted from your final net salary. If we are unable to deduct the outstanding amount from your final salary you will be required to forward a cheque to us for the full amount that is outstanding. 30. What happens at the end of the Agreement? At the end of the Agreement disposal of the product(s) will be handled by the Owner who will make the goods available at no more than the disposal fee published on your Benefits website. 31. What is the Disposal/Final Fee for? The Disposal/Final Fee covers the administration of either the disposal of your product or enabling you to keep your product after the term providing at the end of its usage you dispose of it in an environmentally friendly way. 32. Does the adjustment to my salary make a difference to any other benefits? The adjustment of your salary will have no effect on salary-related payments such as overtime and enhancements. These payments are based on your total remuneration, i.e. revised gross salary plus the value of the Product Benefit. Statutory benefits are calculated on your salary less the money you have paid for your product(s). Your lower rate statutory benefit may remain unaffected. Statutory benefits such as sick pay and job seekers allowance are unlikely to be affected as long as your earnings do not fall below the lower earnings limit for National Insurance contribution purposes.

8 33. What is the P11d value of these products? The P11d value for Computers, Smart TVs and Cameras is 20% of the total value of the products per annum you have ordered. For example for a 1,000 spend, spread over three years, you will pay tax on 600 for the three years whereas if you earned this as a salary you would pay tax on 1,000 over 3 years. Please note there is no P11d value for mobile phones.