Information request relating to PHSO's staff benefits
I write in response to your information request dated 23 February 2015.
A list of the benefits PHSO offer to our members of staff is available on our website here.
I have responded to your questions below:
Please provide annual (2014/15) figures for PHSO Employer contribution to staff gym membership.
As part of our staff benefits, we offer employees a £10 per month gym subsidy.
The terms and conditions of this benefit require the employee to be a member of a recognised gymnasium and to have paid/pay a regular subscription for this membership. The employee is also required to provide evidence of their gym membership and payment of it. They must be also be prepared to produce evidence of continuing membership and payment upon request, and must advise Payroll immediately if the membership lapses.
The subsidy is taxable as a benefit in kind, however PHSO pays this liability and the employee is not expected to declare this benefit on their tax return. I can confirm that in 2014/15 74 members of staff were in receipt of this benefit. The total cost which includes the tax paid by PHSO was £8,800.
Please provide the annual (2014/15) amount that the PHSO on-site café is subsidised for staff London Millbank (presumably by the tax payer).
As part of our staff benefits package, we have a subsidised on-site café at our London office at Millbank Tower, which is operated by contracted caterers Elior. The total subsidy for 2014/15 is £62,980 including VAT.
Please provide the name of the business (PHSO) the "Employee assistance provider" for staff and their family members and the annual cost of this contract.
Annual numbers who are referred by their supervisor / or voluntarily use this service.
PHSO’s employee assistance programme is provided by Workplace Options. They provide free, confidential and independent advice and assistance to help staff balance their work, family and personal life. In 2014/15 (to date) there have been 18 referrals to this service. The annual cost of this contract is £3,657 (excluding VAT).
Annual (2014/15) cost of Free flu vaccinations and eye tests for staff.
Staff can claim back the cost of flu vaccinations and eye tests. In 2014/15 (to date) claims for eye tests and flu vaccinations are £717.81.
Please provide the criteria for (re: staff pay) performance related rewards - AND details of what these rewards are exactly.
Since 2011/12, PHSO has operated a pay freeze and no performance awards have been paid in the interim. We are currently reviewing and developing our approach to performance related awards.
I hope this information is helpful.
Yours sincerely
FOI/DP Officer
Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman