Wellness subsidy
It is important to us to promote the health of our staff. Uppsala University offers benefits including a weekly wellness hour and a wellness subsidy.
Uppsala University uses the wellness service Epassi. All purchases of wellness activities are now handled in Epassi. This means that you, as an employee, do not have to make your own expenses.
In Epassi, you can easily find different wellness activities, make payments directly from your wellness allowance, see purchase history and keep track of your remaining balance.
For questions about wellness and purchasing, please contact Epassi customer service.
Epassi - FAQ
We will add questions and answers.
Questions | Answers |
|---|---|
What applies to direct debit payments (autogiro)? | You need to check with your gym/equivalent to find out what applies. Your Epassi balance must be used first, and affiliated suppliers will help you on site to ensure that this is done correctly. More information is available in Epassi's own FAQ. |
I work part of the year, what applies to me? | The balance at Epassi will be updated continuously with the employment period in Primula. You will be able to use the part of the wellness allowance you are entitled to during your employment. The balance is then updated if the employment is extended. |
What applies to me as a PhD (doctoral student) whose employment is extended at different intervals? | This depends on whether the provider is affiliated to Epassi or not. If the wellness purchase has been made with a non-affiliated provider (e.g. a gym outside Epassi), it is possible to resubmit the same receipt after an employment extension. The condition is that the employee clearly indicates in Epassi the period to which the reimbursement should apply. |
What applies if I am going to be absent from my job during the year? | Full-time leave (does not apply to parental leave or sick leave) reduces your wellness subsidy. Wellness benefits should be used when you are actually at work. If you are on full-time leave, you must use your balance before the leave begins or when you return to work. You will also not be able to log in to Epassi when you are on full-time leave from work. |
What if my healthcare provider is not affiliated to Epassi? | It is possible to make your own purchase and then register your receipt. This only applies if the merchant/supplier is not connected to Epassi. Read more about this in the user guide (page 8). Please note that the last date to register any receipt for the year is November 14. |
Can I use previous receipts for purchased wellness allowance when my employment is extended? | Yes, if the wellness purchase has been made with a non-affiliated provider (e.g. a gym outside Epassi), it is possible to resubmit the same receipt after an employment extension. The prerequisite is that the employee clearly indicates in Epassi the period to which the reimbursement should apply. |
As an hourly employee, can I get a wellness subsidy? | Yes, you can receive 1/12 for each month you worked at least one shift. You can receive a total wellness subsidy of up to SEK 2000 per calendar year. Your working hours must be registered in Primula and paid out. |
I work part-time. How much am I entitled to? | The amount is not affected by the extent to which you work, but is calculated based on how much of the year you work (1/12 for each month worked). |
Wellness subsidy
The wellness subsidy is a tax-free benefit intended to encourage physical activities. The activity should be relatively simple and inexpensive, and for this reason there are restrictions in the type of exercise, sport or other wellness activity covered by the wellness subsidy (see links in the column on the right).
The wellness subsidy is available to employees at Uppsala University who
- Are permanently employed.
- Have a fixed-term contract.
- Are on parental leave or sick leave.
You do not qualify for the wellness subsidy if you are on a full-time leave of absence other than sick leave or parental leave. You also do not qualify for the wellness subsidy if you are wholly supported by a scholarship or supplementary funding for doctoral students.
You can receive a total subsidy of up to SEK 2000 per calendar year. If you are employed for part of the year you receive 1/12 of the wellness subsidy per started month of employment.
Wellness hour
As an employee of Uppsala University, you are entitled to a ‘wellness hour’ – one working hour per week that you can spend on wellness activities. The wellness hour cannot be saved and taken out later and is outside the flexitime system. The wellness hour can be used when employed activities allow and the time chosen must be approved by your line manager. It may be used at the beginning or end of the working day, but must fall within the normal eight-hour working day.
For part-time employees, the wellness hour is in proportion to the percentage of full-time employment. In other words, if you work 50 percent of full time, you can take 30 minutes per week.