Parents going through a divorce could soon be given time off from work under new scheme backed by Tesco, Asda and NatWest

  • Bosses will change HR policies to state that separation is akin to a family death 
  • Study showed most workers said their work was badly affected by divorce

By JACK WRIGHT

Published: | Updated:

Parents going through a divorce could soon be given time off from work under a new scheme.

Bosses will change HR policies to state that separation is akin to a family death or illness under the Positive Parenting Alliance's scheme backed by employers including Tesco, Asda and NatWest.

The scheme was revealed at an event in Parliament yesterday, The Times newspaper reported.

Parents going through a divorce could soon be given time off from work under a new scheme (stock image)

Parents going through a divorce could soon be given time off from work under a new scheme (stock image)

It came after a study showed that 90 per cent of workers surveyed said their work was badly affected when they divorced, while 95 per cent said their mental health also suffered.

The Times said around three-quarters said they were less efficient at work, while around 40 per cent said that they had taken time off work as a result of their separation.

Mustafa Faruqi, the head of employee relations at Tesco, said the supermarket business had a 'responsibility to influence the lives of lots of working people in a positive way'.

Sir Andrew McFarlane, president of the family division of the High Court,  said that employers should be 'treating separation as a significant life event, like bereavement or serious illness'.

TescoASDA

Most watched News videos