During pandemic, Smucker focuses on employees, helping others
Orrville-based J.M. Smucker Company took several steps early on in the crisis to protect its employees including setting it up so they could work from home.
Wayne County has a strong manufacturing industry, and local companies have adapted quickly to the changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Orrville-based J.M. Smucker Company took several steps early on in the crisis, according to corporate communications representative Kyle Hess.
“Our employees have always come first,” Hess said. “So we took aggressive steps to limit the spread of COVID-19 and protect our employees.”
Hess said this included eliminating and restricting employee travel in accordance with federal and local guidelines, limiting visits to its facilities and confirming health expectations for any necessary visitors, encouraging appropriate social distancing, and thoroughly sanitizing workplaces with medical-grade supplies based on guidelines from federal and local health organizations.
“As the world grapples with the impact of COVID-19, we are approaching the challenge from all relevant standpoints including partnering with our suppliers and retail partners to ensure we are delivering necessary food for consumers and their pets, confirming we retain our high manufacturing quality standards, ensuring employee wellness, and supporting the communities most impacted by COVID-19,” Hess said.
Hess said one of the first steps the company took was to provide up to 12 weeks of full pay and benefits continuation for employees whose manufacturing or distribution facility closed or whose roles could not be performed due to the COVID-19 situation.
“This is a step we took to avoid having to furlough our employees. We wanted to recognize them for their dedication on the ground,” Hess said.
The company also issued a one-time $1,500 hardship award to approximately 5,700 employees nationwide in manufacturing, distribution and other functions where employees are diligently serving on the ground to ensure the delivery of food to fellow citizens.
Hess said the company wanted to immediately provide relief for any employees who were directly or personally affected by COVID-19.
“We’re providing paid sick leave of 14 days to individuals who have to be absent from work to care for dependents or household members who test positive for COVID-19, have COVID-19 symptoms and/or are directed by a medical provider or company protocol to self-quarantine,” Hess said.
Smucker is paying for 100% of coronavirus testing for employees and all virtual health screenings conducted by the company’s insurance provider.
Hess said Smucker also wanted to reinforce the availability of mental-health resources to employees across the company.
“We are all living in an unprecedented time, and it’s critical we support our employees in every possible way we can,” Hess said.
The company set up an assistance fund with $100,000 to support employees significantly impacted by COVID-19.
One of the biggest trials for Americans early in the pandemic was the challenge of being able to obtain the essentials we’ve all come to depend on.
“We understand the importance of providing a steady supply of food for consumers and their pets, particularly in uncertain times like these,” Hess said.
Hess said some of the key steps the company has taken include leveraging its relationships with suppliers to maintain a consistent supply of ingredients and packaging materials, maximizing production capacity at manufacturing facilities, and prioritizing production of its most demanded items.
“It’s our goal to ensure we can continue providing our products to our retail partners when they need them most,” Hess said.
Hess said Smucker embraces its role in supporting the community, both locally and nationally. “We’ve donated $300,000 in total to the Red Cross, Feeding America and the United Way,” he said.
In addition, the company is matching 100% of employee donations to more than 20 local and national charities. “Locally, we’ve made substantial donations to the Akron Canton Regional Foodbank,” Hess said.
A statement on the company’s website says, “For more than 120 years we’ve maintained the belief that being a successful business and a responsible one are not mutually exclusive. And our actions prove it.”