Supporting you at every stage of your career
Great employee benefits can make a real difference to both your working life and your future. At Group 1, our rewards and benefits package is designed to support you at every stage of your career, helping you maintain a healthy work-life balance, plan for the future and enjoy valuable everyday savings.
From holiday and family leave, wellbeing support and transport discounts, to pension contributions, life assurance, employee share schemes and exclusive retail offers, our benefits are focused on rewarding our people. We also recognise and celebrate great performance through referral schemes and specialist benefits for our technicians, ensuring every team member has access to support, opportunities and rewards that help them thrive both at work and beyond.
Supporting Your Work-Life Balance
Holiday Entitlement
We recognise the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and ensuring colleagues have time to rest, recharge and give back to their communities.
As a Group 1 colleague, you will receive:
- 25 days' annual leave as standard, pro-rated for part-time colleagues working fewer than five days per week.
- 8 paid statutory bank holidays, also pro-rated for eligible part-time colleagues.
- 1 paid volunteering day each year, allowing you to support a charitable cause or community initiative that is important to you.
The holiday year runs from January to December, providing colleagues with flexibility to plan and enjoy their time away from work throughout the year.
Family-Friendly Benefits
We are committed to supporting colleagues and their families during some of life's most important milestones. Our enhanced family leave policies provide additional financial support and flexibility for colleagues welcoming a new child through birth or adoption.
Enhanced Maternity Leave:
Eligible colleagues can benefit from our enhanced maternity package, which includes:
- 6 weeks at 90% of previous average earnings
- 46 weeks at 70% of previous average earnings
- A £1,000 return-to-work bonus upon returning to work following maternity leave, subject to scheme terms and conditions
Enhanced Paternity Leave
Enhanced Paternity Leave:
- 2 weeks of paternity leave at 100% of full pay
Enhanced Adoption Leave:
Eligible colleagues adopting a child can access the same enhanced support as maternity leave, including:
- 6 weeks at 90% of previous average earnings
- 46 weeks at 70% of previous average earnings
- A £1,000 return-to-work bonus upon returning to work following adoption leave, subject to scheme terms and conditions
Your Wellbeing Matters
Help@Hand
To support colleagues' physical and mental wellbeing, we provide access to UNUM Help@hand, a comprehensive health and wellbeing app offering convenient access to a range of professional services and support.
Through UNUM Help@hand, colleagues can benefit from:
- Virtual GP appointments, providing quick and convenient access to medical advice.
- Health consultations with qualified professionals for guidance on a variety of health concerns.
- Lifestyle coaching to support wellbeing goals, including fitness, nutrition and healthy habits.
- Access to a range of additional wellbeing resources and services designed to support both physical and mental health.
This benefit helps colleagues access expert support when they need it, promoting a healthier, happier, and more productive lifestyle.
BEN
We are proud to provide access to BEN, the automotive industry's dedicated charity, which offers support to colleagues and their family dependants through a wide range of health, wellbeing and life support services.
BEN is committed to helping people navigate life's challenges by providing:
- Free and confidential support for a variety of personal, financial, health and wellbeing concerns.
- Access to an online self-help platform with practical resources, tools and guidance.
- A dedicated helpline offering expert advice and emotional support when needed.
- Specialist support services designed to improve overall health, wellbeing and quality of life.
This valuable benefit ensures colleagues and their families have access to trusted support, helping them maintain their wellbeing and receive assistance during both everyday challenges and more difficult times.
Helpline: 08081 311 333 (Open Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm supportservices@ben.org.uk
Live online chat service: https://ben.org.uk/need-help-now
Eye Care Support
To help colleagues maintain good eye health and support those who use visual display equipment regularly, we offer:
A £25 contribution towards the cost of an annual eye test for all colleagues.
A £49 contribution towards the purchase of prescription glasses where they are required for work-related use following an eye examination.
This benefit is designed to support comfortable and safe working practices, and help colleagues manage the costs associated with routine eye care.
Travel Smarter, Save More with Employee and Family Savings
Cycle to Work
Our Cycle to Work Scheme provides colleagues with a cost-effective way to purchase a new bicycle, cycling equipment, or both, while promoting a healthier and more sustainable commute.
Through the scheme, colleagues can:
- Obtain a new bike and/or cycling equipment through a tax-efficient salary sacrifice arrangement.
- Access equipment and bikes up to a value of £10,000, subject to eligibility criteria and approval.
- Benefit from Group 1 covering the upfront cost, with repayments made through salary sacrifice over an agreed period.
- Save money on the cost of cycling equipment while supporting health, wellbeing and environmentally friendly travel.
All applications are subject to the relevant eligibility checks and scheme terms.
For more information and to apply, visit the Cyclescheme website: https://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/
CBS Vehicle Scheme
The CBS Vehicle Scheme gives colleagues access to a vehicle through a convenient discounted leasing arrangement, offering flexibility for both personal and family use.
Through this benefit, colleagues can:
- Access one CBS vehicle through the scheme.
- Choose a vehicle for their own use or for a partner, spouse, or eligible family member.
- Benefit from a simple leasing arrangement, with the vehicle owned and insured by the colleague and provided under the CBS scheme terms and contract.
- Make monthly payments, with costs varying depending on the vehicle selected and availability at the time of application.
Vehicle options and pricing are subject to availability, and all applications must meet the relevant scheme criteria and terms.
Used Car Purchasing
Once colleagues have successfully completed their probation period, they become eligible to purchase up to two vehicles per year through the Colleague Vehicle Purchase Scheme.
Key features of the scheme include:
- The opportunity to purchase up to two vehicles annually.
- Access to both used vehicles and trade vehicles, subject to availability.
- Exclusive colleague discounts applied in accordance with the scheme guidelines.
- Flexibility to choose from a range of eligible vehicles across the business.
All vehicle purchases must be approved by the relevant Brand Franchise Director and are subject to the scheme's terms and conditions.
Servicing, Parts and MOT
Our Service, Parts & MOT Discount Scheme provides colleagues with preferential rates on vehicle maintenance, repairs and servicing, helping to reduce the cost of keeping vehicles in excellent condition.
Benefits available to colleagues include:
- Up to four MOT tests per year at 50% off the DVSA/RRP rate.
- Discounted Service Labour Rates:
- Volume Brands: £50.00 per hour
- Premium Brands: £65.00 per hour
- Bodyshop Labour Rate: £35.00 per hour.
- Tyres, oil and parts available at cost price plus VAT and 5%.
These discounted rates are designed to provide colleagues with significant savings across a range of routine maintenance and repair services.
Please note that all prices are subject to change and VAT will be applied where applicable. For further details on available services, pricing and eligibility, colleagues should speak with the Service Team at their local site.
Shopping Discounts
Make your everyday spending go further with exclusive savings available through UNUM Help@hand. Colleagues can access discounted eGift Cards from a range of popular supermarkets and retailers, helping to reduce the cost of weekly shopping and household essentials.
Current savings available include:
- Sainsbury's – 4% off eGift Cards
- Tesco – 3% off eGift Cards
- Waitrose – 4% off eGift Cards
- Marks & Spencer – 6% off eGift Cards
- ASDA – 3% off eGift Cards
- Morrisons – 3% off eGift Cards
- Iceland – 3% off eGift Cards
This benefit provides a simple way to save money on everyday purchases, helping colleagues make their household budgets stretch further throughout the year.
Financial Wellbeing & Future Planning
Pension Scheme
Our workplace pension is provided by Aegon, with contributions made through a salary sacrifice arrangement for eligible colleagues.
The standard contribution rates are:
3.5% Employer Contribution
5% Employee Contribution
For further information about the Pension Scheme please contact the Reward Team at UK.Reward@group1auto.co.uk.
Life Assurance
All colleagues are provided with Life Assurance cover of 2 times their basic salary as a standard company benefit through UNUM.
In addition, colleagues have the opportunity each year, during the annual enrolment period (typically in October/November), to increase their level of cover. Subject to scheme rules and an additional monthly cost, colleagues can increase their Life Assurance up to a maximum of 8 times their basic salary. Changes can be made once per year during the enrolment window.
To ensure any benefit is paid to the correct recipients, it is important that colleagues nominate their beneficiaries and keep these details up to date whenever personal circumstances change.
For further information about Life Assurance please contact the Reward Team at UK.Reward@group1auto.co.uk.
Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)
The Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) gives colleagues the opportunity to become shareholders in Group 1 and share in the company's success through a simple and convenient payroll deduction scheme.
Key features of the plan include:
- Choose to contribute between 1% and 10% of your monthly salary, which is automatically deducted from your pay.
- Contributions are accumulated over the purchase period, making it easy to build your investment gradually.
- At the end of each quarter, the share purchase price is determined using the plan's lookback feature, which compares the share price at the beginning and end of the purchase period.
- Colleagues benefit from a 15% discount on the purchase price, providing an immediate advantage when acquiring shares.
- Once shares have been purchased, colleagues can choose to retain their investment, sell their shares, or, in accordance with plan rules, take advantage of any gains achieved.
The ESPP offers a straightforward way to invest in Group 1, helping colleagues build financial wellbeing while directly participating in the long-term success of the business.
Specialist Benefits for Technicians
Technician Tool Insurance
We know your tools are essential to your work. That's why technicians' tools are insured up to a value of £15,000*, helping to provide peace of mind while you're on the job.
To help ensure your tools are properly protected, we're also developing a simple guide covering:
- How to create and maintain a tool inventory
- Best practice for recording tool details and serial numbers
- How to capture and store photographic evidence of your tools
- What information may be required if you need to make a claim
*Terms, conditions and insurance policy rules apply. A full guide, FAQs and claim process information will be available soon.
Apprentice Tool Loyalty Plan
The Apprentice Tool Loyalty Plan helps eligible Service Workshop Apprentice Technicians build their professional toolkits from day one.
Group 1 will fund the purchase of tools worth up to £3,000 over the first three years of employment, supporting apprentices as they develop their skills and careers.
How it works
Group 1 purchases the tools on your behalf. Line Managers are responsible for ordering approved tools for their apprentice technicians.
Tool funding is provided over the first three years of employment:
- At the beginning of the apprenticeship: £500 (inc. VAT)
- After 1 year of employment: £500 (inc. VAT)
- After 2 years of employment: £1,000 (inc. VAT)
- After 3 years of employment / completion of the apprenticeship: £1,000 (inc. VAT)
After completing six continuous years of employment with Group 1, the tools will be sold to you for £1, giving you full personal ownership.
Full details of the scheme are available upon request.
Referral Rewards Programme
Colleague Referral Scheme
Our referral schemes reward colleagues for helping grow the Group 1 team community. When recommending talented people to join us you can earn great rewards for your support.
Know someone who would be a great addition to Group 1? Refer them and receive a reward when they join the business.
Standard colleague referrals
Earn £500 for a successful referral
£250 is paid when the new colleague joins Group 1.
£250 is paid when they successfully complete their probation period.
Technician referrals
Earn £2,500 for successfully referring a Technician
£1,000 is paid after 90 days (3 months) of employment.
£1,500 is paid after 180 days (6 months) of employment.
All referral schemes are subject to their own terms and conditions.
Customer Referral Scheme
Our referral schemes reward colleagues for helping grow the Group 1 customer community. When introducing new customers to the business, you can earn great rewards for your support.
Help us welcome new customers to Group 1 and receive a £50 Love2shop voucher reward for each successful referral.
All referral schemes are subject to their own terms and conditions.
