Section 5: Other Policies

English Rural recognises the cost of travel as being a major expenditure for many employees and in view of this we may, subject to budgeting provision being available and approved by the Board, provide an interest-free season ticket loan to support your travel to work by public transport up to a maximum of £5,000 per annum. The loan will not cover other travel costs, for example associated with the use of a car for getting to and from the station, or parking costs. 

Loans are available for the purchase of tickets on an annual, six monthly or seasonal basis, the cost of the ticket will be deducted from your pay on a monthly basis to coincide with the period of the ticket bought, e.g. on an annual ticket the cost of the ticket will be deducted from your salary over a 12 month period.

All permanent staff who have completed their probationary period are eligible and new starters may apply for a loan but only to cover their probationary period. On successful completion of their probationary period then they may apply for an annual loan up to a value of £5,000.

English Rural will decide at its absolute discretion whether or not to grant a loan to an employee, and whether or not the full amount requested will be provided. English Rural reserves the right to decline a loan application and where this occurs, will explain the reasons why.

Eligibility

You will be eligible for a loan if you:

• have passed your probation period;

• have sufficient monthly salary to make the necessary repayments;

• have repaid any previous loan from the organisation;

• have not served notice of resignation;

• have not received notice from the organisation ending your employment;

• are not subject to disciplinary proceedings that could result in dismissal;

• are not subject to an active final written warning.

• In deciding whether or not to provide a loan, English Rural may take into account

• your ability to repay the loan, taking into account your salary and other loan or financial commitments;

• your personal circumstances; and

• extenuating circumstances.

Payment

You can pay for your ticket and then claim the cost back using the form attached to this document (Appendix J). You need to get prior agreement to the season ticket loan from your manager prior to buying your ticket. Be sure to get a receipt for this or alternatively be able to give proof of purchase of your ticket to your manager. The loan will not be agreed if you do not provide us with this receipt or proof of purchase.

Repayment 

The loan repayment period will be agreed between you and English Rural and will depend on the type and amount of the loan e.g. if you purchase an annual rail ticket, the repayment period will usually be 12 months to coincide with the period of the loan. The agreed repayment period will be confirmed in writing. 

Once the loan is made, English Rural will make deductions in equal monthly instalments from your salary for the purposes of repayment of the loan. The first deduction will be made from your salary in the month in which the loan is made if before the 15th of the month, otherwise it will be deducted the month following that in which the payment was made.

Deductions from your salary for the purpose of repaying the loan will be itemised on your payslip.

Leaving the organisation

If you leave English Rural, any outstanding money on the loan will be deducted from your final pay salary. Pay for these purposes will include (but is not limited to), salary, holiday pay and expenses. Any outstanding money on the loan which is not covered by your final salary will need to be repaid to English Rural within one month of the end of your employment. 

Disciplinary action

It is a disciplinary offence for an employee to abuse this policy. If you are found to have abused the policy, you will be subject to disciplinary proceedings, which could lead to dismissal.

This policy can be found on our website, here.

This policy can be found here.