Lifestyle Break

Policy
September 2020
Where to find things.
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 3
1. Who’s this policy for? ........................................................................................................................ 3
2. What is a Lifestyle Break? ................................................................................................................ 3
3. Do I get paid whilst I am on a Lifestyle Break? ............................................................................. 3
4. How long can I have off for a Lifestyle Break?.............................................................................. 3
5. What can I use my Lifestyle Break for?.......................................................................................... 3
6. What happens to my benefits when I’m on a Lifestyle Break? ................................................... 3
7. Do I still earn holiday whilst I am on a Lifestyle Break?............................................................... 4
8. How do I request a Lifestyle Break? ............................................................................................... 4
9. When can I apply to take a Lifestyle Break? ................................................................................. 4
10. Can my manager refuse to let me take a Lifestyle Break? ......................................................... 4
11. If my request is declined due to poor attendance, performance etc., how long is it before I
can request a Lifestyle Break again? ........................................................................................................ 5
12. What should I do if my request is declined or deferred and I feel this isn’t justified?.............. 5
13. Do I have to keep in contact whilst I am on a Lifestyle Break? .................................................. 5
14. What happens to my permanent role when I am on Lifestyle Break? ....................................... 5
15. Will my Lifestyle Break be confirmed to me in writing?................................................................ 5
16. How often can I take a Lifestyle Break? ......................................................................................... 5
17. What happens if I don’t want to come back to work at the end of my Lifestyle Break?.......... 5
18. What happens if I want to take longer off then I originally requested?...................................... 6
19. What happens if I want to return to work before the end of my Lifestyle Break? .................... 6
20. What happens if there is a pay review whilst I am on Lifestyle Break? .................................... 6
21. What happens if I get pregnant or adopt a child whilst I am on a Lifestyle Break? ................. 6
22. Am I eligible for paternity or shared parental leave/pay if I am on a Lifestyle Break? ............ 6
23. What happens if I am sick during my Lifestyle Break or when I am due to return to work? .. 6
24. What happens if I don’t return to work at the end of my Lifestyle Break? ................................ 6
25. What happens if there is a restructure whilst I am on a Lifestyle Break? ................................. 7
26. Trade Union Membership ................................................................................................................. 7
27. Related reading .................................................................................................................................. 7
Policy owner: UK Workplace Relations Team .................................................................................. 8
Ownership and confidentiality ............................................................................................................... 8

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Introduction 5. What can I use my Lifestyle Break for?

There are times when we want to have some time away
from work to deal with a personal situation, or even to do
something we’ve always wanted to do, such as travelling
or simply to spend time with a loved one without the
pressures of work. Our Lifestyle Break policy allows you
to do just that, whilst remaining in employment, accruing
continuous service and knowing you have a job to go back
to at the end of your time off.
This policy is an amalgamation of the previous Lifestyle
Break policy and the Career Break policy, extending the
length of time colleagues can take off work and still return
to the same role in Tesco.
1. Who’s this policy for?
This policy applies to all permanent Tesco colleagues who
have at least two years’ continuous service.
This policy doesn’t form part of your contract and may be
amended at any time.
2. What is a Lifestyle Break?
You can use your Lifestyle Break for things like
volunteering, travelling, studying, hobbies, caring for a
dependant etc. However, it can’t be used to try out another
job somewhere else or to work in a similar profession,
although temporary casual work whilst travelling etc. is
fine. Please note: colleagues should not be encouraged to
use a Lifestyle Break for time off due to their own ill health
(please refer to other policies for support, for example,
Time Off, or Sickness Absence.
It is not in the spirit of the policy to take a Lifestyle Break to
extend a period of family leave, as colleagues will already
have had a significant period of time away from work.
However, in exceptional circumstances it may be
appropriate, where a short period of additional time off
work will be beneficial in supporting you back to work, for
example to put relevant care arrangements in place. This
is not an automatic right and must be fully discussed and
agreed by your manager.
A Lifestyle Break must not be used to bridge the gap
between two other periods of leave or to manipulate the
criteria for time off or pay under other policies.

A Lifestyle Break is the opportunity to take up to 52 weeks Likewise, it is not appropriate for a student to go on to a
off work and to remain in employment. Lifestyle Break whilst they are on their ‘placement year’
from university.
3. Do I get paid whilst I am on a Lifestyle
Break? 6. What happens to my benefits when I’m
on a Lifestyle Break?
No, a Lifestyle Break is unpaid.
Benefit Treatment of Benefit
4. How long can I have off for a Lifestyle
Break? Need and Removed.
Market Car
You can have between four and fifty two weeks off work. Allowance
Car or Travel Loan to be paid up prior to taking
You must decide up front how much time you want to have the Lifestyle Break unless there are
Loan
off. If you want to change the amount of time you want off, exceptional circumstances.
All exceptional cases must be
you must discuss this with your manager and give at least
discussed and agreed with the
eight weeks’ notice of the change. Please be aware that Reward team.
in some circumstances we may not be able to Colleagues may be required to
accommodate your request to change the amount of time arrange an online transfer or
you want off, for example, if we have appointed a provide a cheque payable to Tesco
Stores Ltd. if the outstanding
temporary person to cover your role.
balance is more than the last salary.
Private Medical Retained due to the need for
Cover continuous cover

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 Bonus Pro-rata’d for time worked in the contractual holiday entitlement. The holiday you earn will
business in the bonus year. be paid to you at two points in the year.
SAYE Frozen. As the Lifestyle Break is no
longer than 52 weeks For example, if you were taking 52 weeks off you would
you will not need to set up a direct earn 5.6 weeks holiday during your Lifestyle Break. You
debit. However, you will be will receive pay for this holiday at specific points during the
removed from the scheme and the year:
benefits will be refunded if you do
not start your contributions again - On the first payday following 31st March for any
after 52 weeks. holiday accrued in the holiday year finishing 31st
BAYE, Frozen until you return to work and March;
Childcare, other are receiving salary. - On the first payday following your return from your
salary sacrifice Lifestyle Break for holiday earned from 1st April.
schemes
In some circumstances, your manager may agree for your
Cycle to work Loan to be paid up prior to taking
holiday to be tagged onto the end of your Lifestyle Break,
hire agreement the Lifestyle Break.
therefore giving you longer out of the business. However,
Pension Both you and Tesco will stop
this time cannot exceed 52 weeks total.
making contributions to the Tesco
Retirement Savings Plan (the Plan)
All arrangements must be discussed and agreed with your
for the duration of your unpaid
manager before you go on a Lifestyle Break and recorded
Lifestyle Break. If you are
on the relevant system. All arrangements will be confirmed
contributing to the Plan when your
to you in writing.
Lifestyle Break starts, Life
Assurance of 5x salary will continue
Please note that whilst you are away, the payroll system
to be in place for a period of up to
will not show your correct holiday entitlement, as it will
52 weeks. If you are not
display the balance as if you hadn’t gone on a Lifestyle
contributing to the Plan when your
Break. Once you return, it will be adjusted to reflect your
Lifestyle Break starts, Life
actual entitlement remaining until the holiday year end.
Assurance of 1x salary will continue
to be in place for a period of up to
8. How do I request a Lifestyle Break?
52 weeks.
Outstanding Any money owed to the company
You need to complete the Leave Request form and discuss
overpayments must be paid up prior to taking the
this with your manager. When you complete the form, you
or interest free Lifestyle Break.
will need to let your manager know how much time off you
loans
want to have. You should give at least 4 weeks’ notice
Tesco funded Colleague may not go on a Lifestyle before you want to start your Lifestyle Break although this
education Break until they have completed the can be waived if your manager agrees it can start sooner.
sponsorship required service after their
qualification. 9. When can I apply to take a Lifestyle
Colleague Retained by the colleague for the Break?
Clubcard and duration of the Lifestyle Break.
2nd card You can apply to take a Lifestyle Break once you have two
years’ continuous service.
7. Do I still earn holiday whilst I am on a
Lifestyle Break? 10. Can my manager refuse to let me take a
Lifestyle Break?
Yes. You will continue to earn statutory holiday (5.6 weeks
or 28 days for a five-day worker) whilst you are on a Yes, in some circumstances; for example: If you’re in a
Lifestyle Break, but you will not earn any additional business-critical role or carrying out a specific piece of
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work, then your manager may ask you to postpone taking
a Lifestyle Break until the project you are working on is
delivered. Or where it is difficult to temporarily cover your
role (for example you are in a specialist role with a rare skill
set), you may also be asked to defer your Lifestyle Break.
Your manager may also postpone your Lifestyle Break if
there are other colleagues in your area (store/distribution
centre/department) who are already on a break.
In these circumstances, you and your manager should
discuss the reasons why you want to take the Lifestyle
Break and come to an agreement which suits you both.
In exceptional circumstances your request may be refused
if you have poor attendance or performance, unless the
Lifestyle Break is intended to improve the situation. If you
have a live warning on file, your request may be refused
(although this may be relaxed if the break is to resolve a
personal matter). You will be required to pay up any
existing loans you may have before you can go on a
Lifestyle Break.
11. If my request is declined due to poor
attendance, performance etc., how long
is it before I can request a Lifestyle
Break again?
You should wait six months before you request another
Lifestyle Break.
12. What should I do if my request is
declined or deferred and I feel this isn’t
justified?
If you feel that you have not received a valid reason as to
why your request has been declined or deferred, please
raise this with your manager’s manager.
There is no right of appeal.
13. Do I have to keep in contact whilst I am
on a Lifestyle Break?
No, not if you don’t want to. A Lifestyle Break is your
chance to take a complete break from work and you should
agree with your manager upfront what contact
arrangements you would like, if any. However, if there is a
restructure or a critical piece of company news such as a
buyout or company sale we have a legal responsibility to
inform you and we will take all reasonable steps to try and
contact you, where we can. Obviously, this may not always
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be possible e.g. if you are trekking in a remote part of the
world.
14. What happens to my permanent role
when I am on Lifestyle Break?
Your role may be temporarily filled with a secondment or a
colleague on a temporary contract for the duration of your
Lifestyle Break.
This means that you’ll return to your permanent role when
your Lifestyle Break finishes, unless:
- you have agreed upfront to move into a different
position on your return, or,
- there’s a restructure whilst you’re on a Lifestyle
Break, or,
- the company were unable to fill your role with a
temporary contract, as the job skills are difficult to
recruit for on a temporary basis.
In these circumstances, you will be offered an alternative
role, similar to your previous role, on no less favourable
terms and conditions.
15. Will my Lifestyle Break be confirmed to
me in writing?
Yes, the specific dates and any agreed terms (such as the
treatment of your earned holiday) of your Lifestyle Break
will be confirmed to you in writing before your leave starts.
16. How often can I take a Lifestyle Break?
Your Lifestyle Break can’t exceed 52 weeks over a rolling
period of six years, however you can make an application
for leave every two years. For example, you could
potentially take three Lifestyle Breaks over those rolling six
years, but the total period out of the business must be no
more than 52 weeks.
Please note you can’t take a Lifestyle Break in the same
holiday year as extended leave.
17. What happens if I don’t want to come
back to work at the end of my Lifestyle
Break?
If you decide not to return to work, you should contact your
manager before the end of your Lifestyle Break and give
your contractual notice as detailed in your terms and
conditions of employment. In some exceptional
circumstances and depending on your role, you may be
asked to work your notice, but your manager will discuss
this fully with you if the situation arises.
18. What happens if I want to take longer off
then I originally requested?
If your situation changes and you wish to take longer off,
or come back to work sooner, you should discuss and
agree this with your manager, giving at least eight weeks’
notice.
19. What happens if I want to return to work
before the end of my Lifestyle Break?
If you want to return to work early you should discuss this
with your manager. Under normal circumstances you
should give your manager eight weeks’ notice of your
intention to return to work, however, your manager may be
able to agree a shorter period if they need you back in the
business sooner.
20. What happens if there is a pay review
whilst I am on Lifestyle Break?
Your salary will be reviewed as normal. Depending on
what contact arrangements you have agreed this will be
either communicated to you during your Lifestyle Break or
when you return to work.
21. What happens if I get pregnant or adopt
a child whilst I am on a Lifestyle Break?
If you fall pregnant or are planning to adopt a child whilst
on a Lifestyle Break you should notify your manager. You
may decide that you want to end your Lifestyle Break early
and request to come back to work so that you can
maximise your earnings.
Please be aware that unless you are at work and are being
paid during your qualifying period you will not be eligible for
either Statutory Maternity/Adoption Pay or Company
Maternity or Adoption pay (see the maternity/ adoption
policy for more information). Your earnings must be at, or
above the Lower Earning Limit (£120 per week in 2020)
during the qualifying period in order to qualify for both
statutory and company maternity/adoption pay.
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You will, however be eligible for maternity/adoption leave
but this will bring your Lifestyle Break to an end and you
will transfer onto maternity/adoption leave.
22. Am I eligible for paternity or shared
parental leave/pay if I am on a Lifestyle
Break?
You’re still eligible for leave when you’re on a Lifestyle
Break, however any leave you take would need to be
incorporated into the duration of your Lifestyle Break. For
example, if you’re on a 52 week Lifestyle Break and you
take 4 weeks of paternity leave, your 52 weeks of leave will
be inclusive of your four weeks’ paternity leave.
Please be aware that unless you are at work and are being
paid during your qualifying period you will not be eligible for
either Statutory Paternity/Shared Parental Pay or any
Company Paternity Pay (see the paternity/shared parental
leave policies for more information). Your earnings must
be at, or above the Lower Earning Limit (£120 per week in
2020) during the qualifying period in order to qualify for
both Statutory and Company Paternity/Shared Parental
Pay.
23. What happens if I am sick during my
Lifestyle Break or when I am due to
return to work?
If you’re sick when you’re on a Lifestyle Break you can end
your Lifestyle Break immediately by contacting your
manager, and the company can process sick pay for you
in accordance with your entitlement. You will not be able to
return to your Lifestyle Break once you have recovered.
If you are sick when you’re due to return to work, you
should contact your manager to report your absence as
normal. Where possible it would be useful for you to inform
your manager before your actual return to work date just
for planning purposes.
In the unfortunate event that you are diagnosed with a
terminal or long-term illness whilst you are on a Lifestyle
Break, please let your manager know so they can support
you as appropriate.
24. What happens if I don’t return to work at
the end of my Lifestyle Break?
If you simply don’t return to work at the end of your Lifestyle
Break and we can’t contact you, your absence will be
treated as unauthorised and we will follow the
unauthorised absence process which may lead to your
dismissal from the company.
25. What happens if there is a restructure
whilst I am on a Lifestyle Break?
It’s really important that before you go on a Lifestyle
Break you leave us with up to date contact details, so if
there’s a restructure or TUPE transfer whilst you’re on a
Lifestyle Break we can make contact, to consult with you.
Trade Union Membership
If you are a member of Usdaw, you will need to contact
the union if you wish to arrange a Direct Debit payment to
continue your union membership and contributions while
you are away from work.
26. I am on an annualised hours contract
in Distribution - how does a Lifestyle Break
work for me?
You can request a Lifestyle Break giving at least 4 weeks’
notice in the usual way. However, you should only request
a Lifestyle Break if your Reserve Hours balance is less
Policy info.
Version No. Date of change Summary of change
1 25th June 2018 Conversion of OurTesco information into a policy
th
2 8 February 2020
2.1 14th July 2020
2.2 17th Sept 2020
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than 45 hours: if it is higher than 45 hours you will be asked
to reduce it to at least that level before your request for a
Lifestyle Break is accepted. Whilst you are away, your
Reserve Hours balance will be frozen until you return.
You won’t be awarded any Good Attendance Days whilst
you are away.
Your weekly holiday pay will cease whilst you are on your
break, and you will receive a lump sum once you return to
work in relation to the statutory holiday you earn whilst you
are away.
Leisure weeks will continue as per the rota, but no pay will
be received whilst the colleague is on a Lifestyle Break.
Related reading
Leave Request Form
Lifestyle Break letters
Lifestyle Break Checklist
Lifestyle Break Forms
- Extension of the maximum period of leave from 12 weeks to 12
months’ leave.
- Holiday earned over the Lifestyle Break is confined to statutory
leave only.
- Change to the maximum number of breaks that can be
requested: 12 months total over a rolling six-year period.
- Removed Career Break policy.
- Added the following to Point 6 under Car or Travel Loan
‘Colleagues may be required to arrange an online transfer or
provide a cheque payable to Tesco Stores Ltd. if outstanding
balance is more than last salary’.
- Added clarity that the Colleague Clubcard is retained by the
colleague for the duration of the break.
- Included guidance that a Lifestyle Break is not for students to
use whilst they are on a placement year from university.
- At least 4 weeks’ notice should be given by the colleague
before they want to start their break, although this can be
waived if the manager agrees it can start earlier.
- Added a question and answer for colleagues in Distribution who
are on annualised hours.
- Changed any mention of 12 months to 52 weeks.
- Updated Lower Earnings Limit (LEL) to £120 per week
Policy owner: UK Workplace Relations Team

Ownership and confidentiality

This document shouldn’t be shared with anyone externally without permission from your Director. This policy and
any associated documentation remain the property of Tesco and should be returned if requested.

This is an online document. Hard copies and downloaded versions are valid only on the day printed or
downloaded. It is the responsibility of colleagues to check the current status of this document on Colleague Help.

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