Police Special Constables recognised by Tesco

Tesco colleagues in the UK who volunteer as police Special Constables will be given an extra five days paid leave each year to fulfil their policing duties. This is in addition to the ten days unpaid leave each year they currently receive to attend specialist training in connection to their duties.

88 Tesco employees serve as Police Special Constables, including those working in stores and at the company’s headquarters in 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 (ESP) where it’s headquarters are based. ESP allows employers to tailor the scheme to the needs of their own business, choosing to give staff paid leave for training, duties and/ or emergencies. Colleagues 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.”