Wellbeing Hub Financial wellbeing
This webpage provides a range of support you can access to find help with your financial wellbeing.
We also have information on cost of living: advice and guidance for students.
Non-consolidated payment & Voluntary Living Wage
As a values-led and people-orientated employer, the University is committed to helping colleagues with the cost of living crisis. In September we announced that a non-consolidated payment for all staff, weighted according to grade, would be made this month.
For those colleagues receiving benefits, such as Universal Credit, this payment may impact on the calculation of those benefits depending on personal circumstances.
Therefore, the University has provided an option of spreading the payment over two to three months – colleagues wishing to do so must notify Human Resources by 11 November 2022.
For those that are affected by this, the University has decided to give you the option of spreading the non-consolidated payment over two or three months.
Should you wish to do this please notify Human Resources by emailing humanresources@strath.ac.uk or writing to the HR Department in the McCance Building stating your name and the number of months you would like to spread the payment over by Friday 11 November 2022.
To support our staff with questions that they may have around this matter, a series of Frequently Asked Questions have been developed which also provide information on the non-consolidated payment more generally as well as the Voluntary Living Wage.
Non-consolidated payment & Voluntary Living Wage FAQsEmployee assistance programme
The University provides an employee assistance programme (EAP) through PAM Assist. PAM Assist provides free, confidential and practical financial guidance which is available to all University employees through their webpage.
Access PAM Assist
To access the information please log in using the following details:
- PAM Assist
- Login: UoS
- Password: UoS1
Confidential freephone helpline
If you would prefer to speak to someone about your financial situation or if you have any concerns, please contact their confidential freephone helpline: 0800 882 4102.
The service provides access to professionally qualified counsellors to provide emotional support, as well as specialists in welfare rights, debt management and legal advice.
Cycle to Work Scheme
The Cycle to Work Scheme is a tax exempt salary sacrifice scheme which allows all eligible University employees to hire cycles and cycle safety equipment on a tax-free basis.
Cycle to Work SchemeExternal online resources
There are also a number of external online resources which offer free confidential advice and practical tools covering all aspects of financial management, from planning your retirement to weekly budgeting and everything in between.
The Scottish Government’s one-stop shop for cost of living advice, including support with energy and other household bills, benefits and payments you may be entitled to and guidance on managing debt and finances. It also signposts support for families with children, older or disabled people as well as health and wellbeing resources, including help with healthcare costs.
You may be able to claim tax relief for additional household costs if you have to work at home for all or part of the week.
Money Helper provides free impartial advice on all aspects of financial wellbeing to help put you in control of your finances. They provide free money and pensions guidance and budget planning tools and bring together the support and services of three government-backed financial guidance providers: Money Advice Service, The Pensions Advisory Service and Pension Wise.
Step Change are a registered charity with 30yrs experience of helping people with debt problems. Their service is free, completely confidential and specifically tailored to each individual.
Money & Me from Young Scot provides practical tips on budgeting and saving, ideal if you are new to the world of work.
Citizens Advice Scotland is available to everyone offering free, impartial and confidential advice on all money related matters.
Unsold food at reduced prices. Saving you money whilst saving the environment! Too Good to Go are determined to help fix the problem of food waste. Local businesses sign up and notify via the app when they are going to have leftover food that would normally get destroyed. You pay a massively reduced price to secure your “magic bag” and all you then have to do is pick it up! Simple and genius!
Download the app via their website.
This is just a small selection of the information and help that can be found online.
If your financial situation is impacting your mental health, and you feel comfortable discussing this with your Line Manager, please do approach them in the first instance.
PAM Assist have trained counsellors available 24hrs a day, 365 days a year on 0800 882 4102.