Tesco Payslip Explained

How to View Your Payslip (MyTesco Login & OurTesco)

Tesco has moved away from paper payslips. You must now view your payslip online via the OurTesco portal. Many colleagues search for MyTesco login — this takes you to the exact same place.

1. Go to the official OurTesco website on your phone or computer.
2. Log in using your Tesco employee email address (e.g., john.smith@uk.tesco.com) and your password.
3. Navigate to the Work & Pay section and click on Payslips.
4. If you are locked out, you can reset your password via the "Can't access your account?" link, but you may need to use a store computer or speak to your line manager if your two-factor authentication (2FA) is not set up on your personal phone.

Common Tesco Payslip Items

Skills Payment

If you work in a specific role (like a butcher, baker, or delivery driver), you may receive a "Skills Payment" on top of your hourly rate. This is fully taxable.

Location Pay / London Weighting

Tesco staff working in London or high-cost areas receive an extra hourly amount. This is often listed separately and increases your "Gross Pay."

Sunday Premium

Tesco pays an extra premium for Sunday hours. Note that for newer staff, this rate may differ from long-term employees. It appears as a separate line on your payslip.

Tesco Retirement Savings Plan

Tesco offers a "Pension Savings Plan" where they match your contributions up to a certain percentage. Most Tesco pensions are "Net Pay," meaning you get tax relief immediately on your payslip.

Deep Dive: Decoding Your Tesco Deductions & Benefits

Understanding a Tesco payslip can be confusing for new starters, especially given the various premiums, skills payments, and specific pension structures that Tesco operates. As the UK's largest private employer, Tesco uses the OurTesco portal to deliver digital payslips, and understanding the breakdown is essential to ensuring you are paid correctly.

The Tesco Retirement Savings Plan (TRSP)

Tesco operates the Tesco Retirement Savings Plan (TRSP), which is managed by Legal & General. It is one of the more generous supermarket pension schemes if you actively manage it.

By default, you are auto-enrolled and will see a standard deduction (often 4%). However, Tesco operates a "Save More, Get More" policy. If you choose to increase your contribution up to 7.5%, Tesco will match it. This deduction is processed as a Net Pay Arrangement, meaning the money is taken out of your gross pay before tax is applied, giving you immediate tax relief. You can adjust these contributions at any time via the OurTesco portal.

Skills Payments and Location Pay

Unlike standard retail roles, if you work in a specialized position (such as a Shift Leader, Customer Delivery Driver, or in a Bakery role), your payslip will feature a separate line item called a Skills Payment. This is an additional hourly rate paid on top of the base colleague rate.

Similarly, if you work in a store located in a high-cost area (like London or certain parts of the South East), you will see a Location Pay allowance. Both of these are fully taxable and subject to National Insurance deductions.

USDAW Union Deductions

Tesco officially recognizes USDAW (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers). If you join USDAW, you can opt to have your weekly subscription deducted directly from your pay. This appears as a post-tax deduction on your payslip, meaning it does not reduce your taxable gross pay.

Sunday Premiums (The Legacy Rules)

Tesco's pay rules regarding Sundays are complex and depend entirely on when you joined the company. Colleagues who joined before a certain date (often referred to as "legacy" staff) receive a premium rate (such as time-and-a-half) for Sunday hours. Newer colleagues are typically paid the standard hourly rate for Sundays. If you are entitled to a Sunday premium, it will be clearly separated on your payslip from your standard basic hours.