Employee benefits

Ghent University is a caring employer that values the well-being and development of its employees. An overview of all the benefits its employees enjoy.

Nederlandstalige versie

Education and training

Working at Ghent University means developing and acquiring knowledge on a lifelong basis. We organise a broad training offer for our employees, both in job-specific fields of education and research and in project development, communication, people management, leadership, cooperation, etc. You will work in a stimulating environment that offers you maximum opportunities for personal development. Ghent University is a caring and committed employer that strives for maximum talent development.

The training offer is aimed at all Ghent University staff:

  • administrative and technical staff
  • academic staff
  • scientific staff, including young researchers (PhD students and post-doctoral researchers affiliated to Ghent University)

Commuting

Medewerker UGent op fietsGhent University is committed to sustainable commuting.

For staff members, who come by bike or do part of their commute by bike, Ghent University provides a bicycle allowance, a bicycle interrogation and repair area and a breakdown service.

If you come to work by public transport, you will also be compensated for this. Thanks to the third-party payer system, you do not have to pay the subscription costs yourself.

You can also register with the Ghent University carpool database to commute more sustainably.

Holidays

You are annually entitled to 36 holidays supplemented by annually fixed bridging days. This is supplemented by statutory and decree public holidays. In addition, to replace public holidays that coincide with a Saturday or Sunday, you will receive holidays during the period between Christmas and New Year.

The majority of holidays are free to choose, in consultation with your department. Some holidays are fixed, such as the working days during the week of the Ghent Festivities and some bridging days. Academic staff are asked to take their holidays as much as possible in one or several times during the holiday periods defined in the academic calendar.

Work-life balance

Kinderopvang UGentGhent University attaches importance to a good work-life balance. You can work part-time and are entitled to various leave schemes (e.g. parental leave, care credit, unpaid leave, etc.). Working from home (including a connectivity allowance) is also an option.

Furthermore, Ghent University offers childcare for children aged 0 to 3 and holiday camps are organized during the Easter, summer, autumn and Christmas holidays.

Staff members can also make use of an ironing service.

Read more on work-life balance

Ghent University restaurants

Cafetaria De BrugWe do not offer meal vouchers, but you can visit all Ghent University student restaurants and cafeterias at a very favourable price. There you can get hot meals, sandwiches, soup, snacks and salads at noon and in the evening. There is also an extensive vegetarian offer.

Read more on student restaurants and cafetarias

Besides work

Working at Ghent University is more than just work. Get to know your colleagues better and develop yourself at various cultural and musical initiatives. As an employee, you can also enjoy an extensive range of sports at very favourable prices.

Other benefits

  • Hospitalisation insurance (free or at preferential rates, including for family members)
  • Pension insurance for staff with (un)definite employment contracts
  • Sports facilities with free insurance
  • Eco vouchers
  • Free flu vaccination
  • Cultural activities
  • Insurance for staff members against various risks
  • Favourable mobile telephony rates
  • Contribution for protective glasses for display screen workers
  • Service package for retired employees
  • Online benefits platform (Benefits at work)