Supermarket chain offers domestic leave

A supermarket chain is offering staff three days' domestic leave a year, a first for the industry.

The leave for Woolworths, Big Fresh and Price Chopper staff sprang from collective contract talks with the National Distribution Workers' Union, said Woolworths spokesman Paul Walsh.

The leave could be taken when a staff member was the primary caregiver for a sick child, partner, parent or other dependent relative, he said.

"The majority of our team-members are women, and women still provide the care in most families when someone is ill.

"This gives them a little extra flexibility when illness strikes."

The union has congratulated Woolworths for the move.

- NZPA