Childcare vouchers

[Igglybuff]

Hi

I hope someone can help re childcare vouchers (salary sacrifice scheme). From the reading I've done, if both parents work more than 16 hours a week, both parents can claim (provided their employers have set up such a scheme).

I have two questions:

• As my DH and I both work for the same company, the HR policy is that we cannot both claim. Is this common practice?

• I plan to work part time and the HR policy is that the vouchers will be pro-rata if I make the claim. Again, is this the norm?

I thought it didn't matter if you worked part time - everyone was entitled to the same amount as long as it was at least 16 hours. Also one partner losing out on vouchers seems harsh, just because we work for the same company!

I know in the current climate that we're lucky to get the vouchers, but I would like a bit of help or advice.

Thank you

Absolutely not - I've never heard that part-timers' entitlement is pro-rated (and I'm a part-timer and mine isn't), and nor do I understand why you can't both claim, I've never heard that before. If you worked for different companies you can both claim no problem. I would find out a) what provider they use and see what their rules are (and I can't believe these come from the provider) and then tackle HR to explain themselves.

Thank you. I had a feeling they're wrong so will check out the provider and take it from there. Although I can hear them using the "current economic climate" as their excuse not to change!

But Iggybluff, the more vouchers you claim the more money they SAVE so any claims about current economic climate will be misplaced.

And pumpers is right, you can both claim, and can both claim the max amount if you like.

TreeTrunk* I didn't think of it like that! Thanks again. I'll be emailing HR asap...

I'm a part timer and mine was never pro ratad either.

My DH and I both work for the same company, and both receive the vouchers for the full amount. I work part-time too. So no reason why they would need to limit it..

Can't see why they would do either... only thing I can think of with regard to part-time is that the vouchers are a Salary Sacrifice scheme, so after deducting the voucher amount it can't leave you with less than NMW. See: HMRC: Childcare Vouchers

To be able to operate a voucher scheme, the company has to make the scheme available to all (subject to criteria - such as having a child). So if they deny someone due to them having a partner who works for the firm, or due to them working part-time then that sounds Wrong.

We both claim (or do until tomorrow!) the full amount even though I work p/t.

My cynical side is wondering if they want to put you off claiming in case you go on maternity again. Childcare vouchers have to continue during maternity leave, but cannot be deducted from SMP, so there's quite a big cost to employers. I wonder whether this policy is their small way of guiding couples to have the male claim and so not have to spend money.

Or have I spent too long in the law and become bitter and twisted. Maybe it's just incompetent.

Thank you all!

nanny, no I wouldn't end up on pay below the NMW so it's not that.

ribena they're quite generous with leave and benefits so perhaps the latter in this case!