Tesco has launched a pioneering policy to support staff experiencing domestic abuse, becoming the first supermarket chain in the UK to introduce dedicated paid “safe leave.” This initiative allows employees to take up to three days of paid time off to manage urgent personal needs without fear of losing income or facing professional repercussions. “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.
The leave is intended to be used flexibly for essential tasks, including attending court hearings, arranging emergency housing, securing childcare, changing door locks, or separating financial accounts. Crucially, the retailer will not require staff to present formal evidence to access this support, a measure established in collaboration with the shopworkers’ union, Usdaw.
As the UK’s largest private-sector employer with a workforce of 300,000, the supermarket has also rolled out comprehensive training for managers. These leaders are now equipped to identify the warning signs of abuse, provide initial support, and guide colleagues toward professional specialist services. Which employs 300,000 people, have also been trained to spot the signs of domestic abuse, support those affected and flag them to specialist services, managers across the business.
Emma Taylor, Tesco’s chief people officer, stated that the company feels a responsibility to assist staff during these critical life moments. She emphasized that the policy removes the stress of taking unpaid leave or navigating complex disclosures, adding that the company hopes to encourage wider corporate action so that no employee is forced to choose between their job and their physical safety.
The announcement follows long-standing advocacy from Usdaw. Daniel Adams, a national officer for the union, noted that at least one in five women are affected by domestic violence. He highlighted that the workplace often bears the impact of these personal crises, making it essential for employers to take proactive steps to protect survivors. Adams described the historic trend of ignoring or excusing domestic violence as an issue that must be challenged. “Historically violence against women, and domestic violence in particular, has been hidden, excused and ignored.
While Tesco is the first major retailer to adopt this specific safe leave model, similar workplace protections—such as emergency housing assistance and specialized training—have previously been implemented by other organizations, including Vodafone, BP, and various local councils. On a legislative level, the Domestic Abuse Act of 2021 already codified certain workplace supports in England and Wales. Which became law in April 2021, includes workplace protection for domestic abuse victims, who can see their place of work as somewhere to seek help and support, the Domestic Abuse Act.
Broader policy discussions continue, with a private member’s bill currently before parliament proposing a mandatory 10 days of paid leave for abuse victims. Northern Ireland has already established a legal requirement for such leave, and similar frameworks are currently utilized in countries including Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
Data from the campaign group SafeLives underscores the severity of the issue, reporting that over 3 million people in England and Wales experienced domestic abuse last year, the majority of whom were women. Based on 2023 figures, the group estimates that eight women are killed by a current or former partner every month in the region. The risk remains heightened by the rise of home-based working, which has increasingly trapped victims with their abusers since the pandemic lockdowns. The permanent shift to working from home since then is seen to have made some people more vulnerable.
