Tesco has introduced a virtual GP service for more than 300,000 workers as part of its investment in employee wellbeing.
The supermarket chain, which is the largest private-sector employer in the UK, is now offering a range of wellbeing provisions to both staff members and their families to give them extra flexibility in handling health concerns.
From this month (July), employees will have access to unlimited GP appointments from anywhere, seven days a week, which can be via phone or video consultation. They will also be able to book on-demand consultations at a convenient time to aid early intervention.
Through the partnership with YuLife, Tesco staff will additionally benefit from a wider suite of round-the-clock wellbeing services available through its employee assistance programme, such as access to nutritionists, sleep therapists, counsellors, physiotherapists and exercise coaches.
James Goodman, UK people director at Tesco, said: “We recognise how important it is to support our colleagues’ health and wellbeing, and to ensure they can access the services they need in a flexible way that fits around their work and personal lives.”
“With these enhanced colleague wellbeing services, we hope to help colleagues take positive steps to look after their wellbeing and when they need help, they will get fast and simple access to support.
“This is a direct investment in the health of our colleagues, which we hope will also support them to be at their very best and continue to do a brilliant job serving our customers.”
According to Tesco, the enhanced package highlights its “commitment to support its workforce in a more innovative way, in addition to providing more traditional benefits, such as share schemes and discounts”.
The business has made other improvements to its benefits offering in recent months, introducing Pay Advance enabling employees to have early access to 25% of their pay, in November 2022.
In the past year it has awarded pay rises equating to 15% of staff wages, bringing rates up to £11.02 an hour. It also gives staff a 10% discount on groceries.
