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Jobs & Careers

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...

Barista with objects

Credit: Jacob Lund, Arkadiusz Fajer, Witthaya Sumdaengphai, Jane Kelly, iweta0077 – Shutterstock

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...

Some major high street employers have been known to pay staff below minimum wage – don't get caught out.

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:

  1. H&M

    h&m logo

    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 some great 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.

  2. Starbucks

    Starbucks logo

    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 for home 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.

  3. Superdrug

    superdrug logo

    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 amount of discount also increases temporarily at certain points throughout the year when you'll also receive vouchers for friends and family members.

    With access to My Superdrug Deals, you'll receive discounts and cashback at other top retailers.

  4. Odeon Cinemas

    odeon logo

    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.), 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.

  5. Pizza Hut

    pizza hut logo

    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 reduced gym membership, so it's a pretty good place to work if you're looking to save more money.

  6. Wetherspoon

    wetherspoon logo

    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 performance and you can get free shares in the company after 18 months.

  7. New Look

    new look logo

    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.

  8. 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 RI Rewards scheme.

  9. Currys

    Currys Logo

    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.

  10. Schuh

    Schuh Logo

    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.

    Aside from that, Schuh offers a friendly working environment and opportunities for career development.

  11. WHSmith

    WHSmith Logo

    Fancy a discount on books? Then you'll be pleased to know that WHSmith 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, WHSmith 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.

  12. Zara

    Zara Logo

    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.

  13. Lush

    Lush Logo

    Who doesn't love a Lush bath bomb? Well, you'll be pleased to know that working for this popular cosmetics brand will grant you 50% off the colourful goods.

    But that's not all! Lush also offers bonuses, a cycle-to-work scheme, eye test vouchers and much more. Plus, you'll be working for a company that cares for our planet. What more could you want?

  14. Nando's

    nando's logo

    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 40% off (but this depends on the day of the week).

    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.

  15. Waitrose

    Waitrose logo

    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 (12% for electricals). This discount can also be used by one other person living at your address, which will make you pretty popular with your flatmates.

    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.

  16. McDonald's

    mcdonald's logo

    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 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. It's a win-win!

  17. Costco

    Costco Logo

    Not only is Costco a great place to stock up on pretty much anything you may need, 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 assistant program.

If none of these float your boat, maybe one of these unusual careers will.

Katie Paterson

WRITTEN BY Katie Paterson

Katie Paterson is an accomplished writer from Glasgow. She studied English Literature at the University of Strathclyde, then went on to do a Research Masters in Literature at the University of Amsterdam. As Lead Editor for Save the Student, Katie has covered topics from career tips to ways to make money go further as a student.
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