1. Taxfree
Computers@home
The flexibility to choose any new
computer from PC World
New for
2005
Full details inside on this year’s great benefit…
Save up to 35% on a brand new PC*
*Actual savings based on personal tax circumstances
2. Welcome
Computers@home utilises generous government
tax savings thereby giving you the opportunity to
have the use of a PC at home at a low cost. By
linking up with PC World, we’ve made it easy and
convenient for you to choose a machine to suit
you and your family’s needs.
This booklet tells you exactly what’s involved and
how you can take advantage of this benefit.
We hope that Computers@home will be of use
to you and your family. It’s a wonderful chance
to have the use of a brand new computer at a
great low price.
The
Scheme
The Computers@home
scheme (the Scheme) is a
Government backed initiative
designed to increase access
to home computers.
In addition to the generous tax savings offered
by the Government, Hays Specialist
Recruitment have also passed on significant
subsidies to make it the most attractive offer
possible. Page 5 of this brochure gives you an
idea of just how great these savings are.
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Who is eligible?
This Scheme is open to Hays employees
with a minimum of 6 months continuous
service, as at 1st May 2005, whether full
or part time you must:
• Be a UK tax payer, who can benefit from
the tax efficiencies of the Scheme.
• Have not participated in 2004 Scheme.
• Be 18 years of age or over, as the
Scheme is regulated under consumer
credit legislation.
• Be an employee whose earnings after
the salary reduction is taken into
consideration will not be less than the
National Minimum Wage.
How do I benefit from
the Scheme?
You agree to sacrifice a part of your gross
salary and in return we will provide you
with the use of a computer at home. By
sacrificing part of your salary in this way,
you save income tax and National Insurance
Contributions that would have been payable
by you. You are also able to spread the cost
of using a computer at home over 39
pay periods.
Who is supplying the
equipment?
We have joined forces with PC World, who
operates from 145 stores across the UK.
You can therefore have a choice of a
computer and eligible peripherals, for
example printers and scanners, that are
stocked by any PC World store – you can
then select the package that is suitable for
you and your family in accordance with the
guidelines in this brochure.
Read on to find out
what you have to do…
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As an extra bonus this year
everyone will get 10 software titles
free of charge once Salary Sacrifice
reductions commence in August.
These include:
Tomb Raider Angel of Darkness, Championship
Manager 03/04, Hitman – Conflicts, Thief – Deadly
Shadows, Deus X – Invisible War, Beach Life,
Mashed, Ghostmaster, Starsky & Hutch and Total
Immersion Racing.’
Registration contact details
0870 873 0633
www.comp4home.co.uk
3. Applying
If you decide to participate in the Scheme,
please follow the process below.
Package Value,
Software & Eligible
Equipment
Eligible Equipment
Essentially you can use your Certificate for anything that is designed
for use when connected to, or inserted in a computer. It does not
include items designed for other purposes even if they can be
connected to the computer.
For example, digital cameras are excluded because they are designed
to be used for taking photographs independently of a computer. The
lists below clarify which items you can and cannot select through the
Scheme.
Eligible items
PC’s, laptops, PDA’s (handhelds), monitors, printers, scanners,
modems, disks, projectors and other peripheral devices, software,
delivery and/or installation.
Ineligible items
Digital cameras (even if included in a PC package), Internet music
devices, games consoles and their games, office furniture,
Blackberries, navigational devices and items that provide access to
public telecommunications system.
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*Registration lines will be available
from 9:00am – 6:00pm Monday to Fridays
and 9:00am – 5:00pm Saturdays
Decide what value of equipment meets
your needs from the table on page 5
Decide whether you require any of the optional
elements software from the table on page 5
You will be sent a Salary Sacrifice letter
for signing and returning by 31st May
We will send a Certificate and a
Hire Agreement to you by 9th June
Visit the website www.comp4home.co.uk
or call 0870 873 0633* before 22nd May
to register your package choice
Visit a PC World store to exchange the Certificate
for computing equipment and complete the
Hire Agreement no later than 26th June
Please note, salary
reductions will
commence in
August 2005 for a
fixed period of 39 pay
periods, even if you
have not collected
the equipment
Take the computer
home, or arrange
delivery and/or
installation.
We will send you a
copy of the Hire
Agreement in the
post containing
details of your
Cancellations Rights
Certificate 1 2 3 4 5 6
In-store cost* £400.00 £600.00 £800.00 £1,000.00 £1,200.00 £1,400.00
Basic Rate Tax Payer
Gross period reduction £13.85 £19.00 £24.15 £29.30 £34.46 £39.31
Period Income Tax saving** £2.73 £3.79 £4.86 £5.92 £6.98 £8.05
Period National Insurance saving** £1.16 £1.62 £2.07 £2.53 £2.98 £3.44
Net effective period cost £9.28 £12.73 £16.18 £19.63 £23.09 £26.63
Net effective total cost*** £361.92 £496.47 £631.62 £765.59 £900.51 £1,038.57
Higher Rate Tax Payer
Gross period reduction £13.85 £19.00 £24.15 £29.30 £34.46 £39.31
Period Income Tax saving** £4.96 £6.90 £8.83 £10.76 £12.70 £14.63
Period National Insurance saving** £0.12 £0.17 £0.22 £0.27 £0.32 £0.37
Net effective period cost £8.17 £11.21 £14.25 £17.29 £20.33 £23.49
Net effective total cost*** £318.63 £437.19 £555.75 £674.31 £792.87 £916.11
Software# MS Office HCI† Value Software Pack††
In-store cost* £129.99 £99.99
Basic Rate Tax Payer
Gross period reduction £3.35 £2.58
Period Income Tax saving** £0.69 £0.53
Period National Insurance saving** £0.30 £0.23
Net effective period cost £2.24 £1.73
Net effective total cost*** £87.36 £67.47
Higher Rate Tax Payer
Gross period reduction £3.12 £2.40
Period Income Tax saving** £1.25 £0.96
Period National Insurance saving** £0.03 £0.02
Net effective period cost £1.98 £1.52
Net effective total cost*** £77.22 £59.28
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* Cash price in store as at 20th February 2005.
** Net Effective Cost to you assuming:
Basic rate tax payer of 22% and Class 1 employee NIC of
11%. Higher rate tax payer of 40% and Class 1 employee
NIC of 1%.
Please note that if you are in a contracted-out pension scheme
and you are a lower rate tax payer you will only save 9.4% NICs
and not 11% as the table indicates.
*** Total to you = Net Effective Cost x 39 pay periods, for example
for 4* Package the calculation for a basic rate tax payer would
be £19.63 x 39 = £765.59.
† HCI Edition contains Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and
Outlook Express. Please note this is an upgrade and you will
need to ensure that the computer you select has an existing
Microsoft product on the computer to operate it.
†† Includes the following titles:
Downtown Run, URU – Ages of Myst, Lock On, Space
Simulator, Colin McRae Rally 4, Lego Bionicle, Britannica
Ready Ref 04, Tommy Walsh DIY, Panda Titanium AV, Ability
Office Basic and Corel Draw 9.
# All software ordered will be sent separately by post to
your home address. Please allow 14 days for delivery
after you have selected your computer equipment.
4. Value of equipment
What Certificate should
I choose?
You should consider carefully the amount that
you can afford to pay each month and the
type of computer equipment that you require.
It may be worthwhile for you to visit a PC
World store or the PC World website at
www.pcworld.co.uk to give you an idea of how
much your preferred computing equipment is
likely to cost.
What happens if I do not utilise
the full amount I have selected?
The salary reductions are set according to
the Certificate selected by you. If you do not
fully utilise the full Certificate, we will still
need to reduce the amount of your salary as
set out in the Salary Sacrifice letter – we
therefore recommend that you fully utilise the
Certificate selected.
What happens if I exceed the
value I have selected?
You will need to pay by cash, cheque or
credit/debit card the amount by which your
equipment exceeds the value selected. Where
possible, any separate items which are paid
for in full should be carried out in a separate
transaction. Where this is not possible, this
equipment will form part of the Hire
Agreement and thus will not be owned by you.
What happens if I select
ineligible equipment or if I
cancel the Hire Agreement?
If you exchange the Certificate for an item
that is not considered to be eligible equipment
as outlined in this brochure, then we may
deduct the value of that item from your net
salary as it cannot form a part of the Hire
Agreement. If we make such a deduction, or
if you cancel your Hire Agreement, you will
not be eligible for the tax savings of the
scheme and the relevant deduction will be
made from your net salary.
Tax and payroll
When will the salary
reduction take effect?
Salary reductions will commence in August
2005 irrespective of whether you have
collected your chosen equipment by that date.
Can I stop or amend this
benefit before the end of the
36 month period?
No. This is a 36 month benefit and we are
unable to reverse or amend the salary
reduction even if you no longer require the
computer equipment. You must therefore be
certain that you need the computer equipment
and are able to afford the salary reduction for
the whole of the period before agreeing to join
the Scheme.
What happens at the end
of the term?
The Salary Sacrifice is irrevocable. However,
in common with other companies introducing
Home Computing Initiatives it is our intention
to reinstate your gross salary to at least its
original level at the end of the term.
What is included in the
salary reduction?
All the costs incurred by Hays in administering
and operating this Scheme is included. These
costs include the cost of the PC equipment
(including manufacturers warranty and
pre-loaded software).
What happens if I take
extended leave?
If you take leave during the 36 month period,
for example maternity leave, sick leave or leave
for some other reason, you will continue to
have use of the computer equipment and the
salary reductions will continue for the period
of paid leave. During periods of unpaid leave
or leave that reduces your pay to lower than
that of the monthly sacrificed amount, the
salary reduction will be suspended. The salary
reduction will recommence for the remainder
of the term then remaining, thus extending the
original term by the period of unpaid leave.
Will this Scheme affect
my State Benefits?
Entitlement to many state benefits, including
the Basic State Pension is based on the
amount of National Insurance Contributions
you pay. This Scheme reduces the amount of
your National Insurance contributions.
The employees affected are generally those
who, by participating in the Scheme, reduce
their salary to less than the lower earnings
limit of £82 from April 2005.
What impact would there be for
people contracted in to the
State Second Pension (formerly
the State Earnings Related
Pension Scheme or SERPS)?
The State Second Pension replaced SERPS
in April 2002. If you are a member of a
contracted out pension scheme there should
be no effect on your State Second Pension.
However, if you are a member of a contracted
in scheme you may receive a reduced State
Second Pension.
This is because when calculating your State
Second Pension the State will look to your
earnings between lower earnings limit
(£82.00 per week for 2005/2006) and the
upper earnings limit (£630 per week for
2005/2006) over your working life. By
participating in the scheme you reduce your
earnings for this period. You could potentially
lower the amount payable from the State
Second Pension.
Employees will need to satisfy themselves
that the benefits gained from participating
in this Scheme outweigh any loss to their
State Second Pension.
Computer collection
When can I collect the
computer equipment?
If it is in stock, you simply surrender the
Certificate, sign the completed Hire
Agreement and take the computer equipment
home with you.
If it is not, you should request the PC
World Store Colleague to arrange delivery
to the store for your collection, or you can
arrange home delivery at an additional
charge. This charge can form part of your
Certificate choice.
Please note that any software options
cannot be collected in-store and will be
sent separately to your home address,
without charge.
Using the computer
Will the computer be
installed for me?
For an additional charge, you can arrange
installation when you visit a PC World store
to select the PC equipment. This charge can
form part of your Certificate.
Does the computer come
with Internet access?
You will need to check at the PC World store
that the computer selected by you provides
modem capability that will provide Internet
access. Please note, Internet charges are not
included in the salary reductions.
What happens if the computer
equipment develops a fault or
requires replacement?
The processor, monitor, speakers, keyboard
and mouse come with a manufacturers
warranty and a dedicated customer helpline.
You will be responsible for the costs of all
repairs not covered by an optional
manufacturers warranty unless you select
the PC Performance Agreement at the time
of collection.
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Frequently
asked questions
PC Performance provides support and
protection for peace of mind for as long as
you need. From PCs to printers, you can
make sure the products you rely on and enjoy
are fully supported and protected. We aim to
give you the best service, so that you can get
the most from your selection. From the
moment you buy, you will receive expert
service and advice from our nationwide team
of specialist technicians.
PC Performance for PCs & laptops includes:
• Annual Health checks to keep your PC or
laptop as fit and effective as the day you
bought it
• Priority Hardware & Software telephone
support, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,
resolving most problems instantly
• Accidental damage repair service –
providing you with complete peace of mind
• Unlimited repairs for mechanical breakdown
for the lifetime of your
• Service Agreement
• Next working day on-site repair service for
PCs call before10am and a technician will
be at your home or office the following
working day
• Next working day courier collection
service for laptops – call before 10am
and your laptop will be collected from
your home or office the following
working day
• Replacement product of at least the
equivalent specification if it can’t be fixed
• PC Upgrade Protection – for all
upgrades supplied and fitted by PC
World* Worldwide protection
For further help or information ask in
any PC World store or:
Phone: 0870 242 0444
Email: pc.performance@pcworld.co.uk
Write to: PC Performance Customer
Services, PO Box 1686, Sheffield S2 5YB
If you require PC Performance literature in
an alternative format such as Braille, audio
cassette or large print, please contact PC
Performance Customer Services on 0870
242 0444.
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5. Specialist Recruitment hays.com
Australia Austria Belgium Canada Czech Republic France Germany Ireland
Netherlands New Zealand Poland Portugal Spain Sweden Switzerland UK
Other frequently
asked questions
Who owns the computer
equipment?
The computer equipment described in
the Hire Agreement will be owned by an
Asset Management company acting on
behalf of Hays.
If you select computer equipment above your
selection, you should pay for it separately so
that it does not form part of the Hire
Agreement. If you cannot separate that item
(say, if you select a computer above the value
of the Certificate) then that item will be set
out in the Hire Agreement. This means that
you will not own it, and its owner will have a
right to recover that computer, or item from
you under the terms of the Hire Agreement
despite the fact that you may have contributed
to the value of that item by a direct payment
to PC World.
What happens if I no longer
require the computer? Can I
return it to PC World before
the end of the term?
No, the term is fixed. Once you have entered
into the agreement, you must continue for the
36 month period and you will be unable to
return the equipment.
What happens at the end
of 39 pay periods?
At the end of the period of hire the company
that owns the computer equipment may
decide to sell the computer equipment for its
fair market value at that time.
It is common for owners of equipment in such
circumstances to offer to sell the equipment to
the person who has had the equipment on
hire. The owner can expect such equipment to
have a market value of £20 at the end of the
36 month period. Please note, however, that
such practices and expectations are merely
indications based on historical factors and
cannot be guaranteed for the future.
What happens if the Certificate
expires before I have selected
my equipment?
The Certificate expiry date is set and will not
be extended. If you wish to cancel your
participation in the Scheme you must return
your Certificate in the pre-paid envelope
provided by the expiry date. If a Certificate is
not redeemed or received as a cancellation
before the expiry date then you will still be
entered in the Scheme and salary reductions
will commence as instructed in your signed
Salary Sacrifice Agreement. If you do wish to
cancel, or you are having difficulties using your
Certificate by the expiry date, we recommend
that you contact the helpline beforehand and
advise Computers@home accordingly.
What happens if I leave
employment during the term?
If you leave our employment for any reason
during the term you will remain liable to pay
the amount outstanding, in accordance with
the Salary Sacrifice letter.