Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Tesco is giving staff in the UK who are special constables (part-time volunteer police officers) an extra five days paid leave each year to fulfil their policing duties.
This is in addition to the 10 days unpaid leave each year they currently receive to attend specialist training in connection to their duties. A total of 88 Tesco employees serve as Special Constables, including those working in stores and at the supermarket chain’s headquarters in the Hertfordshire town of Welwyn Garden City.
The change in policy reflects Tesco’s desire to support colleagues who play an active role in society and give up a significant proportion of their leisure time to do so. It is also hoped the initiative will encourage more Tesco colleagues to volunteer in their community.
Tesco has also signed up to the Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Employer Supported Policing Scheme. Staff electing to join the scheme gain employer support for the police work they carry out alongside their employment, and benefit from extensive Constabulary training and personal development.
Natasha Adams, UK people director at Tesco, said: “We know colleagues who are Special Constables hold positions of responsibility and trust in their communities. In recognition of this, we have introduced a new initiative which will enable them to take up to five days paid leave a year towards their policing duties. We hope this will help those colleagues who give up a significant proportion of their time to help serve communities across the UK.”
The Special Constabulary is the UK’s part-time police force. It is made up of volunteer members of the public who, when on duty, wear a uniform and have full police powers. There are nearly 20,000 Special Constables serving with police forces across the UK, working in all aspects of policing.
