Tesco is providing all its UK staff with a new AI assistant to ensure their safety on journeys to or from work.
Using AI technology, the app will allow up to 300,000 staff to raise the alarm if they feel in danger, with automatic checks if they fail to arrive on time.
Staff can also receive calls from a control room or call the police.
The supermarket giant said its investment in the Peoplesafe app was part of putting the wellbeing and safety of its workers at the heart of its business.
The app is intended to help staff in situations such as walking in an unfamiliar area late at night, facing aggression on the night bus or tube after a night out, or using a private taxi alone.
Staff who download the app can set their destination and mode of transport before travelling, allowing the app to automate welfare checks on their mobile to ensure they feel safe and allow them to raise an SOS alert if needed.
If they don’t arrive at their destination on time or fail to respond to messages asking if they feel safe, professionals at the Peoplesafe control room will call to check they are safe and can raise an alarm with local police if necessary.
The app automatically closes the tracing process once they arrive at their destination.
Tesco said it did not receive any personal information about any colleague’s use of the app or any alarms raised and stressed it was optional for staff to sign up for it.
The move is the latest investment by Tesco to protect staff, following the introduction of body cameras at work, cameras at tills and the rollout this year of a new high-tech security hub in Daventry to target shoplifters and violence against staff.
Tesco boss Ken Murphy has said the supermarket is investing “tens of millions” to protect its workers.
Rachel Bennett, shrink and security director at Tesco, said: “At Tesco, the safety of our colleagues and their wellbeing is our top priority. Whether they are working in the office, stores or distribution centres, we know colleagues can feel vulnerable in situations where they are travelling alone or during unsociable hours.
“And in their social lives, we know colleagues sometimes worry if they are witnessing aggression on public transport, walking on their own or find themselves taking a taxi home as the only passenger.
“We believe colleagues will really value the peace of mind offered by knowing that their journey is being monitored and help is quickly available if they encounter any issues. They deserve to always feel and be safe, at work or in their personal lives.”
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