CINCINNATI, May 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger
Family of Companies (NYSE: KR) today announced the continued
protection of frontline associates by making free COVID-19 testing
available, based on symptoms and medical need. Paired with
additional safety measures, Kroger remains committed to protecting
the health and well-being of its associates.
"At Kroger, the safety and health of our associates and
customers remains our top priority during this unprecedented time,"
said Tim Massa, Kroger's senior vice
president and chief people officer. "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."
Kroger Provides Free COVID-19 Testing to Associates
This month, Kroger Health – the healthcare division of the company
– will begin offering COVID-19 testing to associates, based on
symptoms and medical need. Tests will be a combination of
self-administered kits and the company's public drive-thru
testing sites. Kroger Health's expansion to test more associates
joins 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," said
Colleen Lindholz, president of
Kroger Health. "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 Continues Investment in Associates
In addition to testing for frontline associates, the following
procedures and programs reflect Kroger's commitment to protecting
the safety and well-being of its team.
- 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.
Sharing What We've Learned: A Blueprint for
Businesses
As businesses across America begin to reopen,
Kroger has created a resource guide, that includes actionable
recommendations and learnings the company has applied in the last
eight weeks to safeguard its associates, customers, and
communities, as well as what it has learned through regular
interaction with business leaders in other countries that are ahead
of the U.S. in terms of the pandemic cycling through their
countries. Today, the company is releasing its third installment of
Sharing What We've Learned: A Blueprint for
Businesses, focusing on the needs, well-being and health
of employees in various workplace settings. The resource is
available to download at KrogerBlueprint.com.
Media Assets
To download general Kroger b-roll and photography assets,
visit here.
About The Kroger Co.
At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we
are Fresh for Everyone™ and dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the
Human Spirit®. We are, across our family of companies, nearly half
a million associates who serve over 11 million customers daily
through a seamless shopping experience under a variety of banner
names. We are committed to creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste
communities by 2025. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and
investor relations site.
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SOURCE The Kroger Co.