Tesco against domestic violence: extra paid leave and financial support for abused colleagues

According to Eurostat data, 49.1 percent of adult women in Hungary have experienced physical or sexual violence, including threats, in their lifetime, 43.8 percent of which have experienced it within a relationship. 41.1 percent of women have been abused by a former or current intimate partner.

Supporting experts

According to the UN, intimate partner violence is any behaviour that is used to gain or maintain power and exercise control over an individual within the family or household. It is a physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological act or threat that negatively affects another person. It is characterized by being repeated occasionally or regularly, lasting for a long time, and increasing in intensity over time, as the victim is in a close relationship with the perpetrator. At the same time, a sense of safety is a basic human need, one of the foundations of our physical and mental well-being.

“Since we spend up to a third of our productive lives at work, as employers we must ensure a safe environment and provide support even in difficult times. That is why we developed our child protection guide last year in collaboration with the Hintalovon Children’s Rights Foundation to ensure maximum safety for thousands of minors studying with us in dual training. We have more than 8,000 employees, nearly 70 percent of whom are women, so based on national statistics, it is unfortunately inevitable that more of our colleagues are victims of domestic violence. For them, the workplace is often one of the few places where they can isolate themselves from their abuser and, if they feel safe, seek help. With our recently implemented new policy, we provide various forms of support to colleagues who have experienced domestic violence to help. Together with our strategic partner, the Ecumenical Aid Organization, we will teach how to identify abuse and show our colleagues how they can support their abused colleagues. Recognizing the international hand signal for help and taking the necessary measures will also be part of the curriculum, so we will be able to help our customers too”

– said Norbert Túróczi, HR Manager of Tesco-Global Zrt.

They can count on each other

In addition to shaping attitudes, Tesco is continuously training itself on the subject, so for example, regional managers will learn what to do if a colleague involved in domestic violence approaches them during a special training session. In addition, the policy created by the company contains, among other things, recommended steps for victims, including a list of support organizations specializing in different types of abuse, as well as the company’s 24-hour You can count on us! program, where professionals are available to handle such situations. Affected colleagues are also given 5 days of paid crisis leave to move, meet with a lawyer or psychologist, visit a crisis center, etc.

Employees who provide assistance to victims of violence are entitled to 2 days of paid leave. The company also encourages colleagues to support those affected by the violence with encouragement, information, their presence or practical help in situations such as getting to and from work, police, court, medical visits, saving evidence (messages, emails, etc.) or setting up a new email or bank account.

Help from Tesco Guardian Angels

Through the Tesco Angel Foundation, the company can provide financial and other non-monetary support, such as psychological care, legal services, medical treatment or relocation costs, if needed.