How Coronavirus Is Changing Grocery

Editor's note: This is the first in a series of articles on how the COVID-19 outbreak is affecting the grocery retail and food industries.

The coronavirus outbreak is taking a toll on food retailers in various ways, but possibly the biggest challenge lies in quickly overhauling employment policies for a pandemic occurring amid a historically tight labor market.

With the number of COVID-19 cases in the United States rising, food retailers are experiencing dramatic increases in demand for groceries and ecommerce delivery at the same time as interruptions in the supply chain and shortages of products such as hand sanitizer and toilet paper.

To deal with the crisis, grocers are also having to balance an increased demand for workers with the needs of employees who may need to take time off because they (or loved ones) are sick. And retailers will likely be in this situation for months as the outbreak drags on.

The White House and congressional leaders are working on an economic stimulus package that may provide paid sick leave to workers affected by the virus. In the meantime, food retailers such as Wegmans, Trader Joe’s, H-E-B, Walmart, Amazon and others are retooling their policies to help employees (and customers) reeling from the coronavirus crisis.

Here’s a look at what major food retailers and other related companies are doing for now:

Kroger

Rodney McMullen issued a statement Thursday saying the company is "encouraging associates to closely monitor their health and well-being." Kroger is also:

• Providing hand sanitizer and tissues in breakrooms and meeting rooms
• Asking associates to stay home if they, or someone in their household, are sick
• Providing financial support from the Helping Hands fund – a company-sponsored employee assistance fund – to associates who may be directly affected
• Suspending business air travel for associates through March 31 and recommending virtual meetings

Trader Joe’s

Trader Joe's is changing its sick-leave policy during the coronavirus outbreak to encourage workers to stay home if they feel ill, according to an internal memo published by Business Insider. The grocery chain will allow sick workers to get reimbursed for their time off.

"If you develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or shortness of breath, call your health-care provider right away," the memo states. "We are encouraging Crew who are exhibiting any of the above symptoms to see a medical provider and not come to work."

H-E-B

H-E-B says it has increased resources for employees to improve their wellness practices and if they do not feel well, they are being encouraged to stay home. Additionally, the company has eliminated all business-related air travel both domestically and internationally for H-E-B employees until further notice. H-E-B is also scaling back its presence at large community gatherings to promote awareness and prevent the further spread of the virus.

Wegmans

Wegmans says it will continue to reinforce employee education regarding viral prevention and encourage workers to stay home when they don’t feel well. The company has also enhanced its short-term disability leave program to support employees impacted by COVID-19.

Amazon

Amazon is offering paid sick leave to all workers affected by the virus (including an unlimited amount of unpaid time off through the end of March). Amazon has also set up a relief fund, with an initial $25 million for its delivery partners, drivers and some others affected by the outbreak.

Walmart

The retailer updated its sick-leave policy after an associate at a Walmart store in Cynthiana, Ky., tested positive for COVID-19 and began receiving medical care. Her condition is said to be improving. 

“As more cases are likely to occur, we’ll continue to take precautions and actions to keep our stores, clubs and other facilities clean and ensure the well-being of our associates, customers and members, following the protocols from our own health experts and relevant federal and state agencies,” Walmart said in a memo on its website.

The retailer has created a COVID-19 emergency leave policy to enable associates who don’t feel well to stay home. In the case of a mandated quarantine situation, associates “will receive up to two weeks of pay, and absences during the time you are out will not count against attendance,” according to the memo. “We’ve chosen two weeks because it matches the recommended time for quarantines related to this virus.” Further, associates who’ve been confirmed to have the virus will receive up to two weeks of pay, and if they’re unable return to work after that time, additional pay replacement may be provided for up to 26 weeks for both full-time and part-time workers.

Target

The company announced on Thursday via email that it is offering up to 14 days of paid time off for employees who have contracted the virus or who are under mandatory quarantine, according to Business Insider. Target is also waiving its absence policy to support employees who feel too sick to come into work or who need to stay home to take care of their children due to school closures.

"We're building from a strong foundation of programs and offerings to help our team members take care of themselves and their families," a Target spokesperson told Business Insider in a statement. "Given the unprecedented nature of this situation, we'll be extending several benefits to help all team members navigate the coronavirus."

Postmates

Postmates has created a fund that will credit employees for the costs of doctor appointments and medical expenses related to COVID-19's impact in over 22 states. For merchants, Postmates will waive commission fees for new merchants in impacted markets, giving small business owners access to on-demand delivery at no additional cost. Both programs will launch this week. Postmates is also unveiling a pilot program for small businesses that want to use the platform during a time where most brick and mortar business owners are seeing a decline in sales and customer foot traffic. The pilot program will temporarily waive commission fees for businesses operating in San Francisco that sign-on with the Postmates platform.

"Nationally, one in four private sector employees lack access to any sick leave at all. While our ongoing campaigns in California, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois seek to modernize 20th century laws to fit 21st century work for independent workers, now is the time to put aside the politics of the gig economy and work with all stakeholders to develop creative and meaningful emergency support for frontline workers who may be exposed — it's the right thing to do," said Vikrum Aiyer, VP of public policy for Postmates. "We know that two thirds of the individuals that carry out deliveries through the Postmates app have health care, but we want to make sure anyone can afford preventative expenses."

Postmates has also launched a “contact-less” delivery option for consumers.

Instacart

According to the Verge, any of Instacart’s part-time employees or full-service shoppers diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, or put in mandatory quarantine will now be able to receive up to 14 days of pay. The delivery service has rolled out a new feature called "Leave at My Door Delivery" giving customers the option to have an order left by their door during a designated time frame instead of having an in-person hand-off. The company says there is "increased demand" for it in recent days.