Tesco has become the first supermarket in the UK to introduce paid “safe leave” for victims of domestic abuse, giving staff dedicated time to access support, secure their safety and take steps to move on with their lives.
The new policy announced on Friday (Oct 2), introduced in partnership with Tesco’s largest recognised union, Usdaw, will provide colleagues who disclose domestic abuse with 3 days or 21 hours of paid Safe Leave, which can be taken flexibly for activities such as attending court hearings, arranging emergency accommodation, changing locks, securing childcare or separating finances.
As the UK's largest private-sector employer, with 300,000 UK colleagues, Tesco is introducing the policy voluntarily reflecting its belief that employers have an important role to play in supporting people experiencing domestic abuse.
Domestic abuse can have a profound impact on every aspect of a person's life, including their ability to stay in work. By introducing guaranteed Safe Leave, Tesco aims to remove one practical barrier facing victims and survivors, ensuring colleagues do not have to choose between earning a living and taking steps to protect themselves and their families.
Managers across the business have been trained to spot the signs of domestic abuse, respond to and support colleagues impacted by abuse, and signpost them to specialist services. Throughout these steps, Tesco will not ask victim-survivors to provide formal evidence or to relive traumatic experiences.
Tesco has developed the policy with the guidance of the Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse (EIDA), a free-to-join network of over 2000 UK employers committed to taking effective action on domestic abuse.
The introduction of Safe Leave is the latest step in Tesco's wider approach to colleague wellbeing. The retailer already provides access to confidential counselling, legal and financial advice, mental health support and the Peoplesafe personal safety app for all UK colleagues.
The new policy builds on that support by recognising that victims and survivors of domestic abuse may need dedicated time away from work to access help and make arrangements to protect themselves and their families.
Emma Taylor, Chief People Officer at Tesco, said, "Domestic abuse is one of the most devastating issues affecting our society today, and its impact does not stop when somebody reaches their workplace.
"For someone experiencing abuse, everyday tasks like attending a court hearing, finding a new place to live or putting new financial arrangements in place can be critical steps towards safety and independence.
"As the UK's largest private-sector employer, we believe we have a responsibility to support colleagues in what are likely to be some of the most challenging moments in their lives. That's why we're introducing guaranteed Safe Leave, ensuring colleagues can access practical support and the time they need without worrying about taking unpaid leave or explaining deeply personal circumstances.
"We're proud to be taking this step and want it to help drive wider action from employers across the UK. No one should have to choose between their job and their safety."
The announcement comes as Domestic Abuse Awareness Month gets underway for the month of October, shining a spotlight on the issue and supports victims and survivors around the world.
The policy was developed through Tesco's ongoing partnership with Usdaw and follows discussions on how employers can provide practical support to colleagues affected by domestic abuse.