Tesco partners with EQL for Phio pilot

MSK conditions are one of the most common chronic health issues in the UK, accounting for around 1 in 7 GP appointments, and a leading driver of workplace absence and occupational health referrals. The risks are higher still in frontline retail and logistics roles – where lifting, bending, prolonged standing and repetitive movement are part of everyday work – so early access to the right support makes a real difference to recovery, wellbeing and time away from work.

Through the six-month pilot, 16,000 'Tesco Colleagues' will be given access to Phio: equipping them with fast, clinically guided triage that directs them to the most appropriate care when injured – from supported self-management through to face-to-face physiotherapy – exactly when they need it most. 

The partnership reflects Tesco's ambition for its employees to enjoy better health by working there. The pilot will cover hand-picked locations across the country, spanning fulfilment centres, distribution centres, convenience stores and large superstores, and is being offered to Tesco Colleagues in two ways: through YuLife and directly with EQL. 

The pilot will run from 29 June to 29 December 2026.

‍Jason Ward, CEO at EQL, says: "Everyone should have access to best-in-class MSK support – and in jobs with physical demands, that matters even more. It's brilliant to partner with an employer of Tesco's scale, and to show the impact digitally enabled MSK support can have on employees."