RHS Employee Benefits
These are some of the many benefits that you can enjoy as an employee of the RHS. Please note that in some cases terms and conditions will apply.
Annual Leave
25 days plus bank holidays (pro-rated for part-timers), plus three additional days at five years’ service and an additional two days at 10 years’ service. There is also an option to buy holiday and carry forward unused days (with Manager approval).
Hybrid working
We offer the opportunity to work flexibly on a hybrid basis under our Informal Flexible Working Policy the principals of which are:
- If you work full time: you will be able to work from home one or two days a week (which may or may not be the same days each week).
- If you work four days per week: you may be able to work from home for one day per week, with agreement from your Senior Manager.
- If you work three days per week or less: you will be expected to work in the office, unless your role requires attending off site meetings, events or specific activities, as agreed with your Senior Manager.
Please be mindful that not all roles are considered suitable for working from home. Some roles may be home-based, if this is the case it will be clearly stated in the job description and job advertisement.
Pension
New employees are automatically enrolled into the contributory Aviva Group Personal Pension Plan after three months completed service on a salary exchange basis if you earn over £21,000 p.a. The RHS will pay up to a maximum 10% employer contribution depending on length of service. 121 pension catch ups and presentations are arranged periodically through the year.
Life Assurance
This is provided to all employees aged 16 to 75 and pays out three times your annual base salary in the event of death in service.
Group Income Protection & Private Medical Insurance
For Senior Managers and Directors only, further information is available from [email protected]
Long Service Awards
We celebrate long service with us and this starts at five years’ then occurs every five years up to 30 years’ service.
Free Flower Shows Ticket
Each year you can apply for free tickets to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival and RHS Flower Show Tatton Park. The tickets can also be used for your friends and family.
Free Eye Tests
Free eye sight tests are provided and a contribution of up to £75 to glasses or lenses if these are needed specifically for VDU work.
Parking
Free parking is available on all our sites (except Vincent Square where there is no parking).
Interest Free Travel Loan
You can apply for a season ticket loan up to a maximum of £10,000 on successful completion of your probationary period.
Cycle to Work Scheme
You can use salary exchange to buy a bike through the ride to work scheme. We also have secure bike storage areas in most gardens and in Vincent Square in London.
Lifeworks Employee Assistance Programme
Our EAP provides 24/7 free and confidential advice and support to you and your immediate family available 24 hours a day 365 days a year. There is also legal support and counselling sessions for employees, plus a range of discounts from some of the biggest names in health, leisure, travel, insurance and major high street retailers; all this is available via their app as well as online.
Employee Referral Fee
We pay £500 (net) for referring a friend or relative (conditions apply) to come and work at the RHS.
Childcare Scheme
You can apply for the Government Tax Free Childcare Scheme through HMRC government gateway.
Seeds Scheme
You can order seeds from our own seed collection from 1 January to 31 March each year.
Retail staff discount
You will receive a 20% discount in all RHS shops on presentation of your RHS ID Card and online at www.rhsshop.co.uk (except on vouchers and membership) and www.rhsplants.co.uk (only for plants, bulbs and seeds).
Free garden entry
Available to all five RHS gardens when you show your RHS Staff ID card at the entrance.
Complimentary Garden Pass
Two complimentary passes are provided annually for friends and family to use at all five of the RHS gardens (one pass for employees who work less than 20 hours per week).
Catering
Up to 50% discount on presentation of your RHS Staff ID card (this can vary garden to garden). This excludes alcohol, bottled drinks, ice cream and pre-pared snack items such as crisps. At RHS Garden Wisley the discount is not available at outlets between 11.30am and 2.30pm, Monday to Friday when the Staff Hub is open at RHS Hilltop – The Home of Gardening Science where you can buy lunch at a discounted rate, currently £3.25.
Self-catering apartments
There is a 20% discount off RHS Garden Rosemoor apartments which is available from October to April.
The Garden magazine
This is delivered each month to your place of work.
Learning & Development
We offer a wide range of learning and development opportunities for employees to enhance their skills and knowledge through personal and professional development, including sponsorship for professional qualifications.
Subscriptions
We pay for subscriptions to professional work related bodies.
Kew Gardens & Wakehurst Place
You can get free entrance to both when you show your RHS Staff ID card.
RAC
We have negotiated a discount on breakdown cover for you and your family through the RAC.
Libraries
This is free access to DVD’s and books at various sites.
Advisory
There is free access to horticultural advice from our experts from Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm.
Grow Your Own and My Garden
The Grow Your Own app has been designed by the RHS as a handy guide to growing your own vegetables at home. My Garden is part of the RHS website and gives you access to a free online RHS gardening coach to inspire you to grow shrubs and flowers in your own garden.
OpenAthens and Horticulture Weekly
OpenAthens - allows all employees to access our e-books, E-Journals and our subscription databases JSTOR and Web of Science using one username and password. Our e-book collection includes a selection of books on wellbeing, study skills and management skills, so we have a range of resources, which would benefit everyone.
Horticulture Weekly - is a weekly magazine and a great source of horticulture advice, news and events and is available online.
