Which companies offer the best employee benefits?
There's more to employee benefits than staff discounts. Here are some of the best employment perks involved in working for major brands...
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Considering a part-time job at Odeon to save cash on your cinema addiction, but unsure if the job actually comes with all the free films you could possibly watch?
Ensuring you're paid a decent wage should always be your top priority. But there's no denying that a few additional benefits can go down a treat.
With that in mind, we've looked into the job perks that come with working for some of the UK's most popular student employers...
17 companies that offer the best employee benefits
If you're looking for good employee benefits, these are the best places to work as a student:
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H&M
The perks of working at H&M are pretty decent, to say the least – particularly if you tend to shop there anyway.
Working at H&M will get you a 25% discount on full-price and sale items in-store and online. The discount can be used at any H&M Group stores too, such as COS, Monki, & Other Stories, Cheap Monday and Weekday.
Not only this, but you can combine staff discounts with offers and campaigns that are available to the public, which can sometimes result in 50% – 75% off.
Plus, if you love working for H&M, they offer opportunities for graduates. Their trainee program gives you the chance to develop in your chosen career path as you transition from student life to a professional career.
With a head office in Stockholm, it's an exciting opportunity to experience working abroad.
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Starbucks
Even if you're not a coffee drinker, the employee perks involved in a job at Starbucks aren't bad at all.
You'll be entitled to 30% off food, drinks and merchandise in-store. You'll also get one free bag of coffee beans or instant coffee each week. So, as you won't have to buy coffee while working there, you can cut down your supermarket bill.
Starbucks is also part of the Perks at Work scheme, which gives you access to more than 30,000 discounts, online classes and personal development courses.
Another perk of working at Starbucks is that you can get an interest-free tenancy deposit loan. This will help you move into a new rental property if you're struggling to cover a deposit.
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Superdrug
Getting yourself a part-time job at Superdrug could be pretty useful if you're big on beauty products. You'll get 30% off own-brand items and 10% off branded products.
The discount amount also increases temporarily at certain points throughout the year, when you'll also receive vouchers for friends and family members.
You'll also get free access to digital healthcare services, including nutritional and mental wellbeing consultations and an annual health check. And with access to the BenefitHub discount platform, you'll receive discounts on everyday living expenses and treats at other top retailers.
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Odeon Cinemas
Of all the cinemas we've looked at, it seems the most perks come with a gig at your local Odeon Cinema.
Not only do you get a free Odeon Colleague Unlimited Film Pass (if you can face going to the cinema on your day off!), but you'll also be able to get some guest passes for friends and family too.
On top of this, you'll also get 40% off food and drink (including Costa, Ben & Jerry's etc.) and 25% off alcoholic beverages, making the painfully expensive cinema food now just 'expensive'.
Odeon also celebrates good work with special rewards for individual employees and teams.
Looking for a job that you can fit around your studies? Luckily, Odeon offers flexible working. With many shifts to choose from and the chance to work at several locations, you won't need to miss important lectures to make some extra cash.
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Pizza Hut
At Pizza Hut, you get 50% off food in the chain you work in. And, when you work a shift over five hours, you get a free meal.
You can also get discounts at over 100 retailers and a reduced gym membership, so it's a pretty good place to work if you're looking to save more money.
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Wetherspoon
When working your shift at Wetherspoon, you'll get some free food and drink.
When you're not working, there's a 20% staff discount on food, drinks and hotel accommodation for you and up to three guests.
Discounts aside, the company also allocates monthly bonuses depending on your pub's performance and you can get free shares in the company after 18 months.
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Greggs
Greggs offers up to a massive 50% discount to employees on its bakery goods, and 25% off its bought-in products. Working there is the ultimate way to get cheap Greggs!
They also have schemes on offer to help staff buy discounted shares of Greggs and offer other benefits such as childcare vouchers and health cash plans.
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New Look
New Look employee perks are pretty impressive, with 40% off available for you and one other person (or a 'nominee', as they call it).
However, this is only available on full-price items and applies to permanent employees who have worked there for longer than 12 weeks. Plus, the maximum discount you can get each year is £1,600.
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River Island
Another one for fashion lovers, River Island offers a whopping 40% off. Plus, their flexible working approach means you'll have plenty of time to squeeze in your favourite hobbies around other commitments.
As if that wasn't enough, you'll also receive access to further discounts, health support and advice through their Reward Gateway.
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Currys
Laptops and computers can be super expensive, but you'll need one during your studies. Luckily, Currys employees receive 10% off in-store items. It may not seem like much, but it truly adds up when you're spending hundreds on a new piece of technology.
Plus, with up to 80% off new phones and plans, there's a lot of money to be saved! Still not enough? You'll also get discounts on leisure activities such as going to the cinema and eating out.
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Schuh
With up to 40% off your new shoes at Schuh, you can bag bargains on brands such as Converse, Dr Martens, Vans and many more. And that's on top of an annual 100% discount up to the value of £75 on shoes to wear to work.
Aside from that, Schuh offers a friendly working environment and opportunities for career development.
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TGJones
Fancy a discount on books? Then you'll be pleased to know that TGJones offers a generous discount of up to 50% off for employees.
You'll also get discounts at other retailers, leisure activities and more throughout the UK.
Like many companies in this day and age, TGJones also offers flexible working, which is a big plus in terms of work-life balance. Additionally, an employee assistant programme shows they truly care about the well-being of their employees.
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Zara
With 25% off all Inditex brands (such as Zara Home, Pull&Bear and Bershka), working for Zara is well worth considering. As one of the most popular clothing stores, you'll love working for Zara if you're into fashion.
Plus, with plenty of training opportunities, it's easy to progress your career with one of the world's top fashion companies.
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Lush
Who doesn't love a Lush bath bomb? Well, you'll be pleased to know that working for this well-loved cosmetics brand will grant you 50% off the colourful goods.
But that's not all! Lush also offers bonuses, a cycle-to-work scheme and much more. Plus, you'll be working for a company that cares for our planet. What more could you want?
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Nando's
At Nando's, you'll get a free meal while on a shift in a restaurant.
And when you're not working, you can get up to 40% off for you and up to five friends.
This super popular restaurant chain also hosts regular events for staff, like team trips, family fun days, networking events and parties. Cheeky.
Don't work at Nando's? Don't worry, these tips for saving on your meal could get you a discount that's almost as good.
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Waitrose
Among supermarkets, Waitrose offers some of the best perks for employees.
When working here, you can get 20% off groceries and 25% off at John Lewis. You can also claim up to £60 a year for tickets for concerts, music festivals and similar events. Plus, there's the chance to get £250 a year to put towards learning a new skill.
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Co-op
Waitrose may have some good employee perks, but let's face it, it's probably not every student's go-to when it comes to their weekly supermarket food shop.
Co-op, however, can be much more affordable and also offers employees some great perks.
Firstly, you'll get a discount card entitling you to a 30% discount on Co-op branded products in food stores and 10% off other brands, so you can make some big savings on food.
On top of that, you'll get discounts on other Co-op products, including pet insurance, travel insurance and breakdown cover.
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McDonald's
Fancy a job at Maccy D's?
If you like the food, you'll be glad to know that employee benefits include getting a free or discounted meal during your shift (although we happen to know of other ways you can get cheap and free McDonald's).
As an employee, you'll also get discounts at hundreds of retailers, discounts on your food shop and cheaper travel opportunities. It's a win-win!
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Costco
Not only is Costco a great place to stock up on pretty much anything, but it also offers some of the best perks for employees.
Although you won't get discounts, you often get a bargain anyway. Plus, many would argue that the benefits they do offer far outshine a bit of discount.
All Costco employees receive life insurance (with hourly paid staff gaining access after their 90-day probation). Plus, they support your physical and mental health through their employee assistance program.
If none of these float your boat, maybe one of these unusual careers will.
