The Co-op has launched a new flexible compassionate leave policy to support its 57,000 employees when someone close to them dies or is seriously ill.
As a result, the number of days offered of paid bereavement the symbol group retailer offers doubled from five to 10. The policy also offers flexibility, allowing managers to consider further paid leave based on individual circumstances.
According to the retailer, the updated policy emphasises the “closeness of the bond”, meaning the relationship to the person who has been bereaved doesn’t have to be an ‘immediate family’ member.
Click here to sign up for our newsletter
The policy will be available to employees from their first day of employment.
“Here at Co-op, we want to support our colleagues when someone close to them dies or is seriously ill. We want everyone to ask for the support they need and will always handle things as sensitively as possible,” Co-op chief people and inclusion officer Claire Costello said.
“We know that modern life can be complicated, so there are no restrictions about the relationships or situations that we give compassionate leave for. We also know that the death of someone close, or finding out about a terminal diagnosis, can affect people in different ways, so our new compassionate leave policy provides the right support to everyone.”
The Co-op also revealed it is also making a raft of resources available on how to deal with loss and bereavement, ahead of Dying Matters Awareness Week.
Image credit: Co-op
