UK-based grocery retailer Asda has improved its family leave policies, providing its 140,000 employees with increased support during significant life events.
The updated policy exceeds standard statutory leave and pay, aiming to assist employees through new parenthood, caregiving and bereavement.
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For hourly employees, maternity and adoption leave pay has been increased from 12 weeks to 26 weeks.
Paternity leave has been doubled from two weeks to four weeks at full contractual pay, with the extension also applying to secondary kinship carers.
A brand-new policy for primary kinship carers has been established, offering 26 weeks of company leave and pay.
For those experiencing pregnancy loss before 24 weeks, Asda has enhanced its existing policy to provide two weeks of company-paid leave.
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By GlobalDataAsda general counsel and interim chief people officer Helen Selby stated: “We’re proud to be introducing new and enhanced family-friendly policies, which underline our commitment to fostering an inclusive and colleague-focused workplace.
“We want our colleagues to feel supported during some of the most important – and occasionally most challenging – moments in their lives. These changes further build on the progress we’ve made over the last year in supporting the beating heart of our business – our fantastic colleagues.”
These updates align with Asda’s announcement to invest £80m ($109.1m) earlier this year to raise the hourly rates for store-based employees.
In November 2024, Asda launched a neonatal care leave policy, granting additional leave and pay to employees with newborns requiring neonatal care treatment.
Eligible employees can take up to a maximum of 12 weeks of paid leave in addition to their entitlement to maternity, paternity or adoption leave.
Retail trade union Usdaw national officer Jayne Allport stated: “Following ongoing discussions between Asda and Usdaw, we are pleased that the company has committed to providing valuable, additional support for our members when they need it most. We welcome that the company values the parents and carers working for them and understands their needs in balancing life and work.”
In June 2025, Asda revealed plans for a £10m ($13.5m) refurbishment programme across its more than 180 in-store cafés to enhance customer experience.
