Key facts
- Tesco is the first supermarket to offer paid 'safe leave' for domestic abuse victims.
- The leave allows up to three days of paid time off for staff.
- Staff can use the leave flexibly for activities like attending court or securing accommodation.
- Tesco will not require formal evidence from employees seeking this leave.
- Managers have been trained to recognize signs of domestic abuse and offer support.
Tesco has become the first supermarket in the UK to introduce paid "safe leave" for employees who are victims of domestic abuse. The policy, developed in collaboration with the shopworkers' union Usdaw, provides staff with up to three days of paid leave that can be used flexibly to address issues such as attending court, arranging emergency accommodation, or securing their safety.
Managers across Tesco's workforce of 300,000 employees have undergone training to identify signs of domestic abuse and direct affected staff to specialist services. Crucially, the company will not require formal evidence from individuals seeking this leave, aiming to reduce the burden on those experiencing abuse.
While Tesco is the first major British retailer to implement such a policy, similar initiatives, including protected paid leave and staff training, have been adopted by other UK companies like BP and Vodafone, as well as some local councils. Daniel Adams, a national officer for Usdaw, highlighted that at least one in five women are affected by domestic violence and abuse, urging other employers to follow Tesco's lead.
Emma Taylor, Tesco's chief people officer, emphasized the company's commitment to supporting employees through challenging times, stating that the guaranteed safe leave ensures staff can access necessary support without financial worry or the need to disclose deeply personal circumstances. She expressed hope that Tesco's action will encourage broader adoption by employers across the UK.
Statistics from the campaign group SafeLives indicate that over 3 million people in England and Wales experienced domestic abuse last year, with women being the majority of victims. The group also reported that eight women a month are killed by a current or former partner in England and Wales, based on 2023 data. The shift towards remote working since the pandemic has been noted as a factor potentially increasing vulnerability for some victims.