Childcare vouchers and temporary employment

[juniorcommonroom]

Hello,
I'm about to begin a fixed term contract and have asked my employer about access to the childcare voucher scheme.

I have been told that this is a benefit only available to permanent employees due to the administration fee involved. As far as I know - I've done a small amount of reading - the employer should save a little in NI even after the administration fee has been paid. Is this correct?

In my sector so much work is on a temporary basis that I've made a point of knowing my rights - I was under the impression that temporary workers have the right to the same or equivalent benefits package to a permanent employee in the same role. Would this apply to the childcare voucher situation?

I'd appreciate some advice from those who've perhaps been in a similar situation or have HR experience. I don't want to alienate my new employers before I've even started the position but was kind of relying on the vouchers!

Thanks in advance.

Would you be entitled to mat pay or a pension scheme? If not then you won't be entitled to childcare vouchers either.

Thanks for your reply Princess.

Could you clarify why the mat pay and pension is relevant? The contract is for 1 year. As I understand it, I would be entitled to SMP as Iong as I work there for the minimum time (26 weeks?) before getting pregnant. The company does not offer an enhanced maternity package to any employee, let alone a temporary one.

I wouldn't not be eligible for a pension as a minimum of 2 years service is required but I understood this to be an exception to the rule.

I have actually worked for this company before in another short term contract and was entitled to various 'lifestyle' benefits like a health care plan and season ticket loan so I assumed childcare vouchers would fall into this category and cannot see why they would be included.

Still unsure...

wouldn't be included