'Safety and health of associates a top priority'

CINCINNATI — Kroger said Monday that it would make free COVID-19 testing available to its frontline workers, based on symptoms and medical need.

“At Kroger, the safety and health of our associates and customers remains our top priority during this unprecedented time,” said senior vice president and chief people officer Tim Massa. “Our associates have worked tirelessly to provide communities continued access to fresh, affordable food. We are dedicated to providing support and gratitude to our associates across the country.”

The tests will be delivered via a combination of self-administered kits and the company’s public drive-thru testing sites. The expansion of testing builds on the the COVID-19 testing the team has already been supporting in areas with high incident rates.

“The resilience of the Kroger family is unparalleled, and we’re doing all we can to keep our team healthy and safe,” Kroger Health president Colleen Lindholz said. “The widespread availability of diagnostic testing will now allow our associates to feel more empowered and knowledgeable about their health, creating safer stores and facilities.”

Kroger said the testing of frontline associates is part of a larger effort to keep employees safe. Other initivates include:

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Kroger has increased its investment in PPE to encourage a safer working environment. The company has supplied protective masks to all associates, enhanced daily sanitation practices, installed floor decals and plexiglass partitions at check lanes to promote physical distancing, reduced customer capacity limits, and taken several other steps.
• Competitive Total Rewards Packages – To support the mental and physical health of Kroger associates, the company continues to invest in benefits packages, which includes healthcare coverage and retirement benefits.
• Helping Hands Fund and Emergency Leave – The $5 million Helping Hands fund continues to provide financial assistance to associates who are facing personal hardship due to COVID-19, including lack of access to childcare. And through the company’s Emergency Leave Guidelines, associates most directly affected by the virus or experiencing related symptoms are provided paid time off.

Kroger said it has created a resource guide, which includes lessons the company has learned over the past eight weeks, that it is sharing as other businesses across the country reopen. On Monday the company released the third installment of the guide — “Sharing What We’ve Learned: A Blueprint for Businesses” — which focuses on the needs, well-being and health of employees in various workplace settings. The resource is available to download at KrogerBlueprint.com.