£50 'Wellness budget' from work

[FurBabyMum02]

So I've just found out that each employee has a £50 'wellness budget' per year that we can claim back on expenses, to do whatever we like with that will improve our wellbeing. Spa day, meal with friends, literally anything!

What would you spend yours on?

Osteopath session for me!

Hair cut. I feel really low if my hair is a mess.

Any HR bods here who know how this works and whether it's taxable? I'm in charge of birthday flowers at work and this could be an alternative.

I am no expert but would assume that it's taxable. Shame, as I would steal the idea and implement it for my team if not. It would be a nice, affordable gesture that I think they would really appreciate. Not if they have to v pay more tax on it though!!

My understanding is that a voucher isn't taxable but money is so staff benefits like this are often given as a voucher/gift card.

So I don't know the specific rules surrounding the way the OP's employer is doing this, it would probably be legal and tax free to give the employee a voucher for their chosen retailer on their birthday.

What you do want to avoid, especially for lower paid staff is giving money/a bonus, because as well as it being taxable, if they're on UC, the extra 'income' will cause a reduction in their benefits, so they'll see very little of it left for them to spend.

I was advised previously that vouchers are taxable, so I'm a bit confused about this now.

Hotel room for sleep. I'm so tired.

I'd argue £50 towards my electric bill would help my physical and mental health.

Page 3 and no-one's mentioned a vibrator yet? Tut tut.

Or a yoni massage from Brian from Hull