Multinational groceries and general merchandise retailer Tesco has extended its wellness programme to offer its 300,000-strong workforce nationwide access to greater opportunities for physical activity.

Tesco has teamed up with corporate wellbeing provider, Gympass, to provide employees across the UK and Republic of Ireland with access to more than 1,400 fitness facilities in the UK.

“Our annual colleague health survey showed that a huge number of our employees struggle to find ways to improve their general health and wellbeing. By partnering with Gympass we are able to help combat this, delivering convenient and easily accessible solutions to engage our workforce in greater levels of physical activity,” says James Goodman, People Director at Tesco.

“Gympass has a vast network of fitness operators, making this a fantastic benefit to offer our employees. The flexibility of the Gympass service means all our employees will be able to choose from leisure facilities up and down the country, across multiple price brackets, ensuring everyone can find the perfect fitness solution and activity for them.”

In the year it celebrates its 100-year anniversary, Tesco is extending its wellness package to the complete workforce, from head office employees to in-store workers and home workers to delivery drivers.

On top of subsidised gym memberships, Gympass will be working closely with Tesco to host live wellness events and breakfasts, engaging directly with employees and sharing the benefits of physical activity.

“We are really excited about working with Tesco, offering corporate fitness memberships to its huge workforce and encouraging staff at all levels in the business to be more physically active,” says Pietro Carmignani, CEO for UK&IE at Gympass.

“There are multiple statistics which highlight the benefits of a healthy active workforce, including greater productivity, fewer sick days and improved general wellbeing. We are looking forward to monitoring uptake in the coming months and helping Tesco realise the benefits of a healthy, active workforce.”