Grocery stores struggle during the poor economy brought by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and as their employees are put in harm’s way.
“It has created unique challenges for sure in the supply chain and keeping our stores [Ridley’s Family Market] staffed but our team has truly behaved heroically through [COVID-19],” said Garth York, the Directory of Loss Prevention and Safety for Ridley’s Family Markets, and Mark Ridley, the Director of Operations at Ridley’s Family Markets.
In an effort to maintain the safety of grocery store workers and other customers, several grocery stores have implemented a SmartShopping campaign. This consists of asking customers to follow the 6 foot distancing policy, one way aisles, wear personal protective equipment (PPE), use cards instead of cash and make limited shopping trips.
“We are trying to play the role to help educate our community on following the guidelines and setting a good example,” said York and Ridley. “Ridley’s has been following all the recommendations coming from the health experts, including the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) as it relates to safe shopping and working in a retail environment.”
Safeway in Laramie, Wyoming has one way aisles and wraps plastic around their credit card machines. However, unless these one way aisle rules are followed with people maintaining a distance and the wraps are removed after use by each customer, they are ineffective and useless. Deterioration in the wraps on the card machines not only tells how ineffective this is and how often no cash is wanted back.
“We’ve invested in and expanded rigorous cleaning routines,” said Konnor Schmaltz, a communications representative for Target. Target also is taking guidance from the CDC by encouraging social distancing within its stores, closing sampling stations, providing PPE and closing fitting rooms unless requested.
30 grocery store workers have died due to COVID-19 and 3000 more have been exposed or taken ill, according to the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW). Grocery store employees are essential to our needs during this pandemic and those who are brave enough to work on the front lines are being mistreated in an already dangerous environment.
“We have employees in our company that have chosen not to work,” said York and Ridley. “Very early, Ridley’s guaranteed jobs for anyone who felt uncomfortable working during this time for any reason and offered enhanced paid time off benefits for people affected.”
Many union workers and store owners are having problems with customers in their stores. Many customers are inappropriately disposing of PPE or not following the SmartShopping campaign put in place. Many owners are calling out customers who are going against their campaign.
Customers have become a dangerous hazard to these essential employees. According to UFCW, 85% of customers are not practicing social distancing.
“Ridley’s is a grocery store and pharmacy that is critical for our communities health and well being. Without our team who has really gone above and beyond during this time, we would not be able to offer these essential services,” said York and Ridley.
Although these are essential workers, during the COVID-19 pandemic, they are being mistreated. 62% of customers blame employees for the shortage and another 43% of customers are shouting at employees, according to UFCW. UFCW also reported customers blaming essential employees for not having supplies, even though 81% of customers are hoarding them.
