Tesco has become the first UK supermarket to offer paid “safe leave” for employees dealing with domestic abuse. The new policy grants up to three days of paid time off that staff can use flexibly for safety planning and practical arrangements.

The retailer will not require formal proof to access the benefit. Managers overseeing a workforce of 300,000 have received training to recognize warning signs and connect affected staff with specialist support. Usdaw, the shopworkers’ union, helped draft the agreement.

“Usdaw has long campaigned for support at work for survivors of domestic abuse and we are pleased to have successfully negotiated this new policy with Tesco. Domestic abuse often has an impact on the working lives of survivors, and it is important that employers understand this and the actions they can take to support and protect them,” said Daniel Adams, a union national officer.

Family violence significantly disrupts employment across the UK. Campaigners note that more than 3 million people in England and Wales experienced abuse last year. The Domestic Abuse Act, passed in April 2021, explicitly recognizes workplaces as safe spaces for victims seeking help. Remote work arrangements introduced during the pandemic also left many individuals more isolated and vulnerable.

Tesco joins a growing list of UK employers addressing workplace safety. Companies including BP and Vodafone have already rolled out emergency leave and training programs. Meanwhile, lawmakers are debating a proposal to guarantee ten days of paid leave for victims in England and Wales. Northern Ireland already mandates ten days of paid time off, and similar protections exist in Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

“We believe we have a responsibility to support colleagues in what are likely to be some of the most challenging moments in their lives,” Emma Taylor, Tesco’s chief people officer, said. The company plans to use the initiative to encourage broader industry adoption of workplace safety standards.