Benefits

Depending on eligibility, Penguin employees are entitled to the following benefits, some of which are Pearson group benefits.....

The Pearson Group Pension Scheme

The Pearson Group Pension plan offers a choice between a Money Purchase and a Final Pay pension arrangement. The employee and the Company pay towards plan benefits. Employee contributions are based on 'pensionable salary' which is the rate of basic pay at 1 January each year. Depending on the section the employer chooses to join, contributions will be as follows:

Life Cover

Life cover for members of the Pearson Group Pension plan is FOUR times pensionable salary. For non-members of the plan a sum equal to TWICE the employee's basic salary is payable.

The Pearson Profit Share Plan

The Pearson Profit Share Plan is a discretionary bonus based on the profits of the Worldwide. Employees of the group have the opportunity to earn up to 5% of annual salary, payable in April each year. The scheme is open to all 'employees' who have a minimum of 6 months continuous service in the financial year to which the Profit Sharing relates and are still employed at the time of payment.

Penguin UK Bonus Scheme

The Penguin UK bonus scheme is a discretionary bonus that gives all employees the opportunity to earn a percentage of salary (dependant of grade) on the achievement of company-wide and individual performance targets.

The World-wide Save for Shares Scheme

This offers employees the chance to own a stake in Pearson's future. The employee can save between £5 and £250 from their salary every month for 3, 5 or 7 years. The savings earn interest in the form of a guaranteed tax-free bonus over the 3,5 or 7 years. At the end of the savings period the employee can use all, or part of their savings and tax-free bonus to buy Pearson shares at discounted prices.

Car/Cash Allowance

Depending on grade, employees entitled to a company car can choose a car to a set lease value. Employees may opt instead for an annual cash allowance or may opt to downsize their car and receive a cash allowance as well.

Season Ticket Loan

Employees may apply for an interest-free loan for annual season tickets for travel to and from work.

Discounted Purchases

A 60% discount may be obtained on Penguin Group titles by ordering direct through the Credit Control department at Harmondsworth.

Give As You Earn

Pearson administers a Give As You Earn scheme for all UK employees and matches any money an employee wishes to donate to charity to a maximum value of £40 per month. This is a tax efficient way of donating money, as donations are not taxed.

Pearson Health Care Plan

The scheme is available to all permanent staff and may be extended to employees' families. The Company pays 50% of total contributions and cover includes hospital charges, specialist fees, NHS cash benefit etc. New employees may join the when they commence employment, or membership commences on 1 March each year.

Westfield

This is a cash benefit scheme and provides cover for dental care, eye care, maternity, chiropody etc. The level of cover will be dependent on the weekly contributions made by the employee.

Occupational Health Unit

The Occupational Health Unit provides services such as pre-employment health checks, inoculations, and blood donor sessions. Appointments can be made with the Company Doctor and Company Occupational Health Nurse in strict confidence.

Sickness Benefit

Dependent on grade, employees are entitled to generous company sick pay. NUJ graded employees qualify immediately for company sick pay - MSF graded employees qualify after the completion of three months' service, GPMU employees (SGOP) qualify after the completion of one year's service. Company sick pay will be provided upon receipt of satisfactory medical evidence

Peopleline

Peopleline provides a full range of confidential counseling and information services to help Penguin employees with any difficulties related to home or work. A confidential service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and offers telephone and face to face counseling, legal advice, management support and critical incident support.

Maternity Leave

Employees with more than 1 years service are entitled to 25 weeks maternity pay and up to 52 weeks maternity leave.

Paternity Leave

New Fathers are entitled to 10 days paternity leave to be taken at any time during the first year of the child's life.

Childcare Payments

The Company makes payments to eligible employees with children under five years of age to assist with child minding expenses. Eligibility will depend on salary level.

Compassionate Leave

Compassionate leave may be requested for the care of sick children, aged or seriously ill relatives, partners or other persons to whom staff have a responsibility or upon their death.

Children's Parties

Christmas parties for employee's children are arranged at both the Harmondsworth and Central London sites.

21 Year Service Award

When an employee achieves 21 years service with the Company, they will receive an engraved gold watch.

Pre-Retirement Run Down

In the last six months of employment staff may work a reduced week of 4 days six months prior to retirement and 3 days 3 months prior to retirement, if they so wish, without loss of salary.

Holiday Entitlement

The holiday year runs from 1 January to 31 December. The full holiday entitlement is 25 days per annum.

Sports & Social Club

The Sports & Social club offers employees and their families and friends a range of social events and entertainment throughout the year at discounted prices - such as Theatre trips, theme park visits, health spa weekends.

Health Club Membership

The company offers discounted membership to local health club facilities in Harmondsworth and the Strand.

Pulp Books

A selection of pulp books are made available free of charge on a daily basis for employees. A maximum of two books per day may be taken.