Welcome to Direct Line Group. Joining us, starts here. Let s take the lead.
Introduction This booklet is your guide to the new Direct Line Group terms and conditions of employment. This booklet contains the following information: l An overview of the sections in your new contract l Frequently asked questions Important information Please note that Direct Line Group s offer of employment is conditional on completion, to our satisfaction, of our background checks. 2 Direct Line Group Understanding your new contract
Understanding your new contract To help you with understanding your new contract, we have provided an explanation of some of the contract sections. Start date The date on which your employment with Direct Line Group starts. Job title and duties This is the title of your job. It is described in more detail in your job on a page and objectives, which your people manager will share with you once your employment commences. All our jobs have been assigned a grade (GGS), this grade will be used to determine your benefits. Location Your usual place of work. Hours of work We need to open at the times that our customers want to talk to us. For most areas of the business the opening hours are from 08:00 22.00 Monday to Sunday. However we do have parts of our business that are open 24 hours. Salary You will be paid monthly; this is normally on the 18th of each month, unless it falls on a weekend or bank holiday in which case it will be paid on the last working day prior to the weekend or bank holiday. Pension You will automatically be enrolled in our defined contribution Group Personal Pension Plan. The default contribution level for the scheme will be 9% of your base salary. You can elect to opt out, reduce the level of pension contributions when you elect your benefits or increase your contributions: your salary will be adjusted accordingly. Core benefits Core benefits In addition to pension, you will receive income protection and life assurance cover, subject to our providers underwriting criteria. Private medical insurance will be provided to GGS13 and above. You will have the option to reduce the level of life assurance cover (to a minimum of 1x base salary) and receive the cost of this benefit as cash instead when you make your benefit selections. You can also elect to increase the level of income protection and life assurance cover, and will have the opportunity to buy private medical insurance for either yourself and/or your family. Level Pension Income protection Life assurance cover Private medical insurance GGS04 to GGS12 9% 50% salary for 5 years 4 x salary GGS13 to GGS15 9% 50% salary for 5 years 4 x salary Self cover only Direct Line Group Understanding your new contract 3
Understanding your new contract Flexible benefits Our benefit scheme allows you to tailor your reward package to best suit your lifestyle. You will be provided with a detailed information booklet on your benefits and the password for accessing reward matters online (our benefit system) when you start work with us. Performance awards and incentive schemes Performance awards are calculated as a percentage of your base salary for those that are eligible. In some parts of our business there are business unit incentive schemes and if you are eligible your people manager will confirm the details of this with you. Holiday The holiday year is from 1 April to 31 March each year. If you work variable hours or less than 35 hours per week (40 hours in the Accident Repair Centres) your holiday entitlement will be stated in hours rather than days and pro rated if you work part time. It is important that you take your holiday within the holiday year, so please speak to your people manager who will explain how holidays are booked within your area. Period of notice This details the notice that you need to give us should you choose to leave and the notice we need to give you. Usually you will need to work your notice although the company may, at its discretion, elect to pay you in lieu of your notice period. Any settlement will be calculated using your base salary only. This means that where a payment in lieu of notice is made there will not be additional payments for benefits. 4 Direct Line Group Understanding your new contract
Garden leave Given the commercially sensitive nature of the insurance industry, there may be occasions where you are asked to either remain at home, or to take alternative duties during your notice period. This is to protect our business interests and is at our discretion. If you are asked to take garden leave you will continue to receive your salary and benefits. Company cars Some employees are provided with a car for the purposes of their role. If you receive an allowance for this, this will be detailed separately and the contract confirms that if you move to a role that does not require a car, or the requirement for a car ceases, the allowance will also cease. Individuals in roles at GGS13 and above can choose, through the flexible benefits scheme, to take a company car. The mileage rates you can claim are detailed in the travel expenses policy. Intellectual property Any intellectual property rights (IPR) generated during your employment will be owned by the company. This remains in force regardless of the reason for you leaving our employment. Policies and procedures A copy of our code of conduct has been sent to you with your contract by e-mail and we recommend that you read the policies which are available on the HR section of the intranet and the Insurance Policy Framework which is on the Risk & Compliance section of the intranet when you start. Additional clauses in GGS13 and above contracts only Non solicitation A section on non solicitation is included in all GGS13 and above contracts which covers customers, investors, suppliers and employees. This section means that should you try to poach or entice away employees, customers or investors you will be in breach of your contract. Direct Line Group Understanding your new contract 5
Questions & answers Where can I go for more information about Direct Line Group? You will have received a link to our recruitment brochure which explains where we have come from, what we represent and how we will operate in the future and much more. It s important to read this booklet and understand our values as you will be expected to help put our values into action when you commence your new role. It is also important to note that our values were designed by our people and will be bought to life by our actions as we work towards our common goal. What is a background check? Background checking is undertaken before you join. Any checks will only commence after your offer of employment and will be concluded before you start. They are commonly used in financial services for reviewing of any fraudulent activity. When will I be able to select my Direct Line Group benefits and how will this happen? The benefits window for selecting Direct Line Group benefits will open each year usually in March for 3-4 weeks. You will be given a separate window in which you can select benefits if you fall outside the normal election time. We will inform you of when your window opens with your benefits password and details for accessing our benefits system called reward matters online. Reward matters online can be accessed from any computer or mobile phone that has internet access. When do I need to accept my offer of employment? We ask that you review your contract of employment using the link e-mailed to you and confirm your acceptance online. We encourage you to visit the site as soon as possible, any delay in providing your response will impact the background checking process and may affect your start date. 6 Direct Line Group Understanding your new contract
I have questions about my contract who should I speak to? If you have any questions regarding your contract, please speak with your resourcing consultant or your people manager. What should I do with my bank account form? Please ensure you complete your bank account form and attach to an email. Please send the email to candidateservices@directlinegroup.co.uk within 5 days, so as not to delay your start date. What should I do with my expression of wish form? Please complete your expression of wish form and attach to an email. Please send the email to candidateservices@directlinegroup.co.uk within 5 days, so as not to delay your start date. What should I now do with my Tax Information form and P45? Please complete the Tax Information form and attach to an email. Please send the email to candidateservices@directlinegroup.co.uk within 5 days, so as not to delay your start date.if you have a recent P45 from your previous employer please send this by post to Candidate Services, Direct Line Group, 3rd Floor, The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds, LS1 4AZ. What should I do with my Declaration of Secrecy form? Please ensure you complete your Declaration of Secrecy form and attach to an email. Please send the email to candidateservices@directlinegroup.co.uk within 5 days, so as not to delay your start date. What do I do if some of the information within my contract is incorrect? Please contact your resourcing consultant or your people manager. What will happen next? Once you start with us you will be issued with information on how you can select your benefits and information about our pension provider. Direct Line Group Understanding your new contract 7
Alternative formats of this publication are available, please contact Candidate Services on 08000 510 022