The convenience chain – and the UK’s largest funeral provider – said its 57,000 employees can take up to 10 days paid leave when someone close to them dies or is seriously ill, up from five. The new policy also gives managers flexibility to give staff more days of paid leave if they think it is needed. It comes after energy provider Ovo Energy announced a new policy earlier this year giving staff unlimited and fully paid compassionate leave, including for any kind of pregnancy-related loss such as miscarriage. The Co-op said its new policy is market leading among retailers, also because it is available to staff from their first day of employment. The group said earlier this month that inflationary pressures are expected to continue this year and affect its short-term profitability.

Source: The Times May 02, 2023 23:09 UTC