Tesco plans on keeping mum in 2009

Retail is one sector which remains strong against the recession, especially in grocery where the supermarket remains king – but Tesco plans on snapping up mums to rule their stores.

Tesco and Asda have both announced plans for more stores and these big retailers will be one of the few taking on more staff. Any large organisation requires a strong workforce and Tesco has discovered that by offering flexible and part-time roles it can tap into the skills of Britain’s working mothers.

Lorna Bryson, Head of Resourcing, UK Operations at Tesco commented: “As the largest private sector employer in the UK, we pride ourselves on being able to offer our employees the best working conditions to suit their needs, by offering both full time and part time roles. By offering extensive part time and flexible working options at all levels, from the board to the shop floor, we hope to make it as easy as possible for mothers to fit their work life around their personal circumstances.”

Tesco employs more mothers than any other UK business with over 48,000 mothers within its stores, distribution and head office sectors. An estimated 36,730 mums work on a part-time contract to fit in working alongside their family commitments.

Many of the 10,000 new jobs planned for 2009 will be part time and flexi time contracts are promised. Of the new jobs created, 1,815 are expected to be filled by working mums.

Tesco’s benefits package, which includes a childcare voucher scheme, allows parents to benefit from tax and National Insurance savings up to a maximum of £1,173 annually for each parent working at the retailer, making it likely to be an attractive choice for working mothers.

 
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