Announcement If you would like to sign up for our car leasing scheme, provided by Tusker, please ensure that you access the scheme via our MyLifestyle Hub. The Tusker webpage will not provide the specific access organised for colleagues at Brookes.
Travel
We are committed to helping our staff with sustainable and affordable travel. For further information on available benefits, please see the Oxford Brookes Travel website.
Are you considering a healthier, more sustainable way of travelling? If so, then the University’s Cycle-to-Work-Scheme may be just what you are looking for!
Our tax-free bike scheme, run in conjunction with our partners Edenred and Halfords, offers staff the chance to purchase a new bike in a more affordable way.
What is a tax-free bike (cycle-to-work) scheme and how does it work?
The cycle-to-work scheme is a tax and National Insurance free scheme, set up by the Government and the Department for Transport to help promote healthier journeys to work, and reduce pollution and congestion.
Staff are able to buy a bike and cycle equipment from Oxford Brookes, costing up to £3,000, via our Cycle-to-Work hire purchase scheme. A minimum spend of £100 also applies.
You then pay back this cost via a salary sacrifice arrangement, where an agreed monthly payment is deducted from your pay. To support accessibility and affordability, payments can be made to Brookes over a 12-month or 24-month period.
Paying for your bike through salary sacrifice provides tax and national insurance savings on the cost of the bike and equipment, as the repayment is deducted from your gross salary.
Further information about the scheme is available on the Halfords website.
To apply for the scheme, please access the MyLifestyle Hub.
When can I apply?
Eligible staff can apply for the scheme at any time and a voucher (letter of collection) will be sent to your chosen email address for use online or in-store.
What can I use the scheme for?
You are able to purchase a bike and related equipment up to the value of £3,000 and no less than £100.
A full list of equipment that can be purchased via this scheme is available on the Halfords website.
Who is eligible for the scheme?
To ensure that the scheme successfully benefits staff and offers affordability, the following eligibility criteria apply:
Employment and pay
- As this is a salary sacrifice scheme, staff must be paid via the University’s main payroll.
- Individuals engaged on a claim or variable hour basis are therefore unable to apply.
- Fixed-term staff are able to apply, as long as the duration of the employment contract exceeds the duration of the agreement.
(For example, 13 months for a 12-month repayment period or 25 months for a 24 month repayment period.)
- Staff must have successfully passed their probation.
- The scheme is open to full and part-time staff.
- To support staff to reasonably make repayments and to ensure that pay is not reduced below the National Minimum Wage or Lower Earnings Limit for National Insurance Contributions, Oxford Brookes may limit the purchase amount available e.g to less than £3,000.
- Staff who are currently in the formal or informal stage of a disciplinary or capability process or who have been placed “at risk” of redundancy, may not apply for this scheme.
Use
- Staff should be able to show that the bike will be used to commute to work (Government guidelines state it should be used for at least 50% of your commute to work.)
Please note: The University reserves the right to amend or discontinue this benefit, should it deem it appropriate.
How to apply?
Please go to the MyLifestyle Benefits Hub to place an order. This will direct you to the Oxford Brookes Halfords page, where you will be asked to input your details. Information will also be provided in relation to repayment amounts.
Please ensure that you read the terms and conditions provided here, as well as the FAQs section.
What is a Letter of Collection?
A letter of collection is the voucher provided by Halfords that can be used to purchase your chosen bike and/or equipment.
Vouchers can also be used at independent cycle stores. A store locator is provided on the Halfords webpage, to help you to identify local stores participating in the scheme.
The voucher will be emailed to you, once your application has been approved by Halfords and the People Directorate.
Ownership of the bike and equipment
During the duration of the salary sacrifice agreement, the bike and any equipment remain the property of Oxford Brookes.
To ensure that you are able to benefit from the Tax and NI savings, Halfords will contact you after 12 months to confirm if you wish to enter a zero-cost extended hire arrangement at no extra cost, until HMRC deem the value to be negligible. (This is typically for four to five years.)
Any arrangements made with Halfords after this 12-month period will be the subject of a separate agreement, and will not alter the terms and conditions of the salary sacrifice agreement with Oxford Brookes.
For example, if you have agreed to pay the cost of the bike over a two-year period, this remains unaffected.
I am leaving the University prior to the end of my salary sacrifice arrangement, what shall I do?
If your employment ends for any reason (including redundancy) during the repayment period, the University will deduct the remaining balance from your final payslip.
If the outstanding amount is larger than your last month of pay, you will be required to pay the difference.
This amount will also be deducted after tax and National Insurance deductions. The scheme savings will therefore not apply. Please email Jess McGinn, Reward and Progression Partner, at payandreward@brookes.ac.uk for further information.
Does the scheme affect any of the benefits I receive?
Salary Sacrifice Schemes can affect other benefits that you might receive, including statutory maternity/paternity/adoption pay. Staff are responsible for contacting HMRC and researching the impact of the scheme on their financial circumstances, prior to entering any agreement.
I am unable to take part in the scheme, are there any other options available?
Oxford Brookes also provides an interest-free loan that enables staff to purchase a bike.
I have started the scheme, however, unexpected costs mean that I am finding it difficult to manage repayments.
Once you have agreed to a salary sacrifice arrangement for the bike and equipment, as per HMRC rules, you do not have the option to revert back to your original salary until the arrangement has ended. Please email Jess McGinn, Reward and Progression Partner, at payandreward@brookes.ac.uk for further information.
My bike has become damaged or stolen, does this affect my repayments?
It is the employee's responsibility to insure and maintain the bicycle adequately. In the event that the bike is damaged or stolen, the salary sacrifice arrangement remains unaffected and you are required to continue payment.
If you have any questions, or are not sure if you are eligible to apply, please contact the People Directorate Operations Team at pdteam-operations@brookes.ac.uk.
Further information can be accessed on the MyLifestyle cycle-to-work and resources pages, as well as the Halford’s Cycle-to-Work website.
Ever dreamed of driving in a brand-new electric car? Now is your chance to make that dream a reality!
We are pleased to offer an employee salary sacrifice electric car scheme in partnership with Tusker. Not only will you have access to the newest cars, you will also be able to reduce your carbon footprint whilst enjoying tax and National Insurance savings.
Colleagues at OBU are able to lease a wide range of electric cars and pay for this directly from their gross salary via a salary sacrifice arrangement.
As the lease amount is deducted from your gross salary, you will pay less tax and National insurance.
The scheme not only provides an electric car, but also a fully inclusive motoring package i.e servicing and insurance. As the scheme is provided through Oxford Brookes University, colleagues will also benefit from discount rates. A deposit is also not required.
What is a salary sacrifice car leasing scheme?
You agree to give up part of your gross salary in exchange for a non cash benefit, in this case, a new electric car and motoring package.
The salary is sacrificed before Income Tax and National Insurance is deducted, reducing the amount that you will pay.
A Benefit in Kind charge will apply, which is automatically factored into the cost of the lease agreement. This is reduced to acknowledge that you are supporting sustainability by leasing an electric car and therefore you will retain a majority of your Tax and National Insurance savings.
Further information on the scheme is available on the Tusker website.
To apply for the scheme, please access the MyLifestyle Hub.
Who is eligible for the scheme?
Employment
- As this is a salary sacrifice scheme, staff must be paid via the University’s main payroll.
- Individuals engaged on a claim or variable hour basis are therefore unable to apply.
- The minimum repayment period for this scheme is three years. Fixed-term staff are therefore able to apply if the duration of the employment contract exceeds the duration of the agreement.
(For example, 37 months for a 36 month repayment period.)
Pay
- The scheme has a minimum earnings limit to support colleagues to reasonably make repayments and to ensure that pay is not reduced below the National Living Wage or Lower Earnings Limit for National Insurance Contributions.
- The scheme is therefore currently open to colleagues paid at spine point 23 and above (Grade 6).
- When applying for the scheme, you will be asked to provide your salary to ensure that you earn more than the minimum earnings limit and that the options provided are affordable.
- (Please note that this earnings limit is subject to change).
Terms and Conditions
- Staff must have successfully passed their probation.
- The scheme is open to full and part-time staff.
- Staff who are currently in the formal or informal stage of a disciplinary or capability process or who have been placed “at risk” of redundancy, may not apply for this scheme.
- Charges will apply if the lease agreement is terminated early.
If you are planning to leave Oxford Brookes University in the near future, you should ensure you are aware of any potential costs you may be liable for in line with leaving the scheme early. Please see the ‘Leaving the scheme early’ section below.
Please note: The University reserves the right to amend or discontinue this benefit, should it deem it appropriate.
When can I apply?
Eligible staff can apply for the scheme at any point.
Whilst a fantastic benefit, joining a car leasing salary sacrifice scheme is a more significant commitment than other salary sacrifice schemes so please carefully consider whether the scheme is right for you before applying.
How can I apply?
Please go to the MyLifestyle Hub to review the options available to you within your salary range and to place your order. You will be asked to put in your details including your annual salary.
If you work part-time, please enter your part-time equivalent basic salary and then the number of hours you work in the ‘weekly part-time hours’ box.
Please ensure you have read all of the terms and conditions provided by Oxford Brookes University and Tusker, as well as the Tusker specific FAQs.
Who owns the car?
- The car is owned by and registered to Tusker.
- Oxford Brookes University and Tusker have entered into a contract to provide the use of a car to eligible employees.
- The Salary Sacrifice Agreement for the car is between you and Oxford Brookes University.
What is included in the lease agreement?
- The use of the car you choose via MyLifestyle Hub.
- Maintenance of the car including all servicing, batteries, exhausts and tyres (excluding winter tyres) under normal wear and tear conditions. This excludes any damage to the car and updates to satellite navigation systems
- Fully comprehensive motor insurance including all business travel for you. Any additional drivers are insured for social, domestic and pleasure purposes only unless requested otherwise
- Protection against penalty charges incurred as a result of exiting the scheme early due to you leaving your employer and returning a car as a result of resignation, redundancy, loss of life and loss of licence on medical grounds
- Annual vehicle tax
- Roadside assistance (homestart & recovery UK & European cover)
- Relief car for when the scheme car is off the road (if selected)
Driver responsibilities
By agreeing to this salary sacrifice arrangement, you are also agreeing to Oxford Brookes University deducting any additional charges incurred through your use of the car.
You are responsible for paying for the following:
- Fuel
- Top up oil, lubricants, screen wash and AdBlue if needed between services
- Damage to the car if not covered by the motor insurance
- The termination charge if you decide you no longer want the car
- The motor insurance excess, in the event of an accident, which may be payable when repairs are carried out to the car
- The excess mileage charge plus VAT if you exceed the agreed mileage as selected by you
- Mechanical failure due to driver fault
- Rental vehicles whilst the car is off the road, if not provided by the motor insurer (unless you have selected the relief car option)
- Connected services for your vehicle (if not included by the manufacturer) these may be subject to service fees from the manufacturer.
- Speeding, parking and congestion fines.
This list is not exhaustive and therefore we recommend reading Tusker’s summary of responsibilities and the full terms and conditions prior to signing up for the scheme.
Does the scheme affect any of the benefits I receive?
Salary Sacrifice Schemes can affect other benefits that you might receive, including statutory maternity/paternity/adoption pay. They may also impact student loan repayments and pension contributions.
Staff are responsible for contacting HMRC and researching the impact of the scheme on their financial circumstances, prior to entering any agreement. For information relating to the effect on Pensions, please see section 8 of the Tusker FAQs.
How will my salary sacrifice arrangement be affected if I reduce my contracted hours?
If you reduce your contracted hours, you are still liable for the agreed monthly amount and lease arrangement.
A reduction in your hours of work would prompt a reassessment of your eligibility for the scheme by Oxford Brookes University.
You cannot sacrifice amounts which would result in your salary being lower than the National
Living Wage or National Minimum Wage.
If the reduction in your hours of work takes your pay below the National Living Wage, you will be asked to return the car and the salary sacrifice arrangement will cease.
You will be responsible for any early termination charges (where applicable) to exit the scheme.
I am thinking about/will be having a career break, how does this impact the scheme and monthly payments?
As career breaks are unpaid, you will be asked to return the car and the salary sacrifice arrangement will cease.
You will be responsible for any early termination charges (where applicable) to exit the scheme.
What happens if I go on maternity, paternity, or adoption leave, or have a different form of long term absence from work during the lease arrangement?
Participation in the Car Benefit Scheme will not take your gross pay below the statutory minimum levels applicable during periods of maternity, paternity or adoption paid leave and you may continue to have use of the car.
In these circumstances, you will need to provide Oxford Brookes University with a copy of your MAT B1 or adoption approval letter and then this will be shared with Tusker in confidence.
Where you are absent from work and your pay either falls below the statutory minimum levels or you are in receipt of no pay in any month, the Salary Sacrifice Agreement will be suspended for that month and you may continue to have use of the car.
When you return to work the Salary Sacrifice Agreement will resume and continue for the remaining term. This may result in the salary sacrifice continuing after the car has been returned.
In these circumstances, you will need to ensure you have provided Oxford Brookes University with a ‘fit note’ for the relevant period.
If my circumstances change, is it possible to cancel my order?
If you decide you no longer wish to have a car as part of this scheme, you should email payandreward@brookes.ac.uk in the first instance.
An early termination quotation will be sourced, which will include a termination fee, and possible dealership cancellation fees.
What happens if I leave the University prior to the end of my salary sacrifice arrangement?
If you notify Oxford Brookes University that you wish to resign during the first 3 months commencing from the delivery date of the car, or if you resign and leave Oxford Brookes University without giving prior notice during the first 3 months following delivery, you will be liable for an early termination charge to exit the scheme.
If you know that you’ll be leaving your employment before the end of the agreement you should not lease a car through the scheme.
If you resign and leave your employer after this 3 month exclusion period, an arrangement is in place to cover the early termination charge.
Please note that it is not your leaving date that is used to work out if there will be an early termination charge, it is the date you notify your employer that you wish to resign from your position.
If you have any further questions, or are not sure if you are eligible to apply, please contact:
Tusker customer support - a team of dedicated staff are on hand to answer any queries about joining the scheme, or if you are currently leasing a car.