PRESS PAUSE

The Co-op Food CEO Jo Whitfield on why she is taking time off from work for her children’s exams

During the long months of lockdown, when many of us felt in a state of limbo, Jo Whitfield was busier than ever in her capacity as the CEO of Co-op Food. ‘We really took it seriously, that responsibility of feeding the nation,’ she recalls. ‘We were open the whole way through, making sure colleagues and customers were safe – it was full-on.’ In contrast with some parents, the pandemic meant she spent less rather than more time with her children – an experience that helped solidify her plan to take four months’ unpaid leave this summer to support her two sons (aged 18 and 16) during their formative A-level and GCSE periods.

She has been surprised by the amount of media coverage generated by her decision; publicity that is, perhaps, indicative of a lack of breadth in the conversation around the needs of working mothers. ‘I’ve been a part of the workforce for more than 30 years, and there has always been this tension between women who work and those who stay at home,’ says Whitfield, who sits on the government-backed Women’s Business Council. ‘I never thought that was right – we should support all women in whatever choices they make.’

Whitfield is not using her leave to coach her children academically (‘Believe me, I can give them no help when it comes to GCSE chemistry!’), but to be more present in their lives as a whole. ‘It’s a short period when I’m shifting the balance towards family before my boys go off to university, and then I’ll return recharged and refreshed, ready to do all the things I love about being a working mum,’ she says. For anyone contemplating a sabbatical, she recommends ‘having an honest conversation early’ with management and allowing plenty of time to discuss how to make it work for colleagues and the business; her message for company leaders is to trust in their employees’ loyalty. ‘People want to work for businesses that are willing to invest in them as individuals,’ she says, ‘so in terms of talent retention, the pay-off for being supportive is huge.’ frances hedges

38% The percentage of UK employees’ holiday allowance that goes to waste*