Associate Safety
Our frontline associates have gone above and beyond to perform an essential service for customers and communities during this global crisis, and our priority is to support them and keep them safe. That's why we are reinforcing the availability of "no contact" delivery with our customers – reminding them to communicate any updates to their delivery and that if they leave their empty bottles outside, we will replace them accordingly. We are also encouraging associates to follow our safety principles and stop unsafe work if there is an identified or perceived risk at any delivery location.
Q: What are you doing to keep your associates safe?
A: Our manufacturing and delivery personnel practice frequent, effective handwashing and respiratory hygiene. We are reinforcing these handwashing and respiratory protocols with special reminder signage in all of our facilities, and we begin every meeting with reminders and guidance on these topics.
We have also implemented increased sanitation of hard work surfaces across all of our facilities, delivery trucks, forklifts and associate common areas – including the use of sanitizer wipes for common touchpoints such as time clocks, door handles, light switches, countertops, radios, lunchrooms, restrooms, vending machines, cooler handles and more – in accordance with current, required documented training.
Our associates also maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet, and as before the pandemic, associates in key areas continue to wear disposable gloves, with frequent glove changes, as a common practice in key manufacturing areas.
Q: Are you doing anything extra to ensure your associates' well-being during this time?
A: Our frontline field associates are working every day to ensure that customers receive essential service during this pandemic. We are grateful for their commitment and dedication.
To honor and recognize their continuing hard work, we are paying eligible frontline field associates an appreciation bonus to thank them for delivering above and beyond for our customers and our communities.
Q: What happens if one of your associates becomes ill?
A: As an FDA-regulated manufacturing business, we do not permit associates who exhibit symptoms or are ill to be in the workplace or have contact with other associates, equipment or product surfaces.
In the event that an associate exhibits symptoms or is diagnosed with COVID-19, in accordance with health agency guidance, we will take immediate steps first to isolate the associate by sending him or her home for 14 days and requesting that he or she receive medical attention.
Then, we will sanitize the facility and all common areas – including all hard work surfaces, forklifts, delivery trucks, common areas and touchpoints. Quarantined associates may return to work only with a doctor's release confirming they are not contagious.
Q: Are you still paying your associates if they become quarantined?
A: All associates diagnosed with COVID-19, isolated or placed in quarantine by a doctor will be provided with two weeks of paid sick leave. For these associates, we established a continual check-in and follow-up process to discuss benefits, return-to-work information and general physical and mental well-being. We also are providing all associates with access to the Employee Assistance Program, a no-cost 24/7 service providing counseling, legal and financial consultations, a health resource library and referrals for tasks such as childcare, household help and more.
