MOORESVILLE, N.C., April 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Lowe's
Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) today announces additional actions
being made across all U.S. stores to further protect and provide
for both our associates and customers during this unprecedented
time. Our announcement includes a temporary $2 an hour wage increase for all full-time,
part-time and seasonal hourly associates for the hours they work at
Lowe's stores, contact centers and supply chain facilities in the
U.S. and Canada for the month of
April.
"We are continually working on ways to protect and support our
associates and our customers during this time when we are all
adjusting how we work and live," said Marvin Ellison, Lowe's president and CEO. "I'm
announcing these new operational changes as we continue to keep the
health and well-being of our associates and customers top of mind,
especially as they look to us now more than ever for essential
products, services and support. Today's wage increase for our
hourly associates is just another way I want to thank our 300,000
associates for their heroic actions in serving the needs of our
communities. I've never been prouder of our team, and they have my
commitment that we will continue to adjust as the situation
evolves."
We announce today these new operational efforts:
- We are temporarily increasing wages by $2 an hour for every full-time, part-time and
seasonal hourly store, contact center and supply chain associates
for hours they work throughout the month of April in the U.S. and
Canada.
- We will be closing all stores at 7 p.m. daily to ensure
additional time to replenish essential products and thoroughly
clean and sanitize our stores daily.
- We are making masks and gloves available to all
associates in the workplace who want them. As previously
shared, all N95 medical masks were placed on a stop sale and are
being donated to hospitals to protect frontline healthcare
workers, along with other personal protective equipment for first
responders in our communities.
- We developed an app to implement a new customer limit
protocol, available now on associates' handheld devices. Each
store manager can now monitor foot traffic and limit entrance based
on CDC and local guidelines.
- We are enhancing our social distancing protocols by adding
dedicated social distancing ambassadors who will be
responsible for monitoring customer flow in our garden centers and
front-end areas and enforce customer limits to allow proper social
distancing.
- We also made substantial updates to our store floor
layouts to further support the CDC's guidelines for social
distancing, such as opening up aisle space by removing displays.
These changes will make it easier for both associates and customers
to get the items they need quickly and safely. Specific examples
include:
-
- Removed product from the main aisle to help maintain safe
distance.
- Removed racking and tables in other aisles to open up
space.
- Expanded the area for customers leveraging our Buy Online, Pick
Up In Store option or making a return
- Added floor markers spaced 6-feet apart to help guide
customers
- We have installed customized Plexiglass shields at all
points of sale to protect our cashiers and customer service
associates working the return desk, one of the first retailers to
do so.
- We increased third-party cleaning shifts to provide
incremental cleaning in our stores, beyond already enhanced daily
cleaning efforts.
- We shipped an additional 10,000 truckloads of essential
products during this period to replenish our stores.
These new actions follow our previously announced commitment of
more than $100 million in response to
the coronavirus pandemic, including the following actions to
support the health and well-being of associates and customers:
- $80 million in special
payments to hourly associates that was paid on March 31 to recognize their tireless efforts
to serve customers and communities and to help with those who may
be experiencing unplanned expenses and hardships during this time.
The payment amount was $300 for
full-time associates and $150 for
part-time and seasonal associates.
- $25 million to support the
emerging needs of associates, customers and communities. This
includes a $10 million donation in
essential protective products to do our part in helping to keep
medical professionals on the frontlines of this crisis healthy and
safe. We deeply appreciate their actions and commitment. These
funds will also support our Employee Relief Fund and offer small
business relief for our Pros. Read more about our commitment
here.
- Actively hiring 30,000 associates in stores across the
U.S. to support our communities. We have full-time, part-time,
overnight and seasonal roles available for displaced workers and
those who are seeking short-term opportunities. Those interested in
learning more or applying for available opportunities can visit
jobs.lowes.com or text "JOBS" to LOWES (56937) to apply.
- Offered 14-days of emergency paid leave for all
associates who need it, whether that's because they are feeling
sick, caring for a loved one, or because they have been faced with
new hardships such as closed schools and daycares.
- Extended emergency paid leave up to a total of four
weeks for those at a higher risk for severe illness from
COVID-19.
- Extended telemedicine benefit through Teladoc to all
associates and their families whether they are seasonal, temporary,
part-time or full-time, regardless if they are enrolled in Lowe's
medical plan.
- Additional previously announced operational changes
include:
-
- Added overhead announcements, store signage, and customer and
associate guidelines that emphasize the importance of social
distancing.
- Increased the services of third-party cleaning providers and
implemented morning, afternoon and after-hours cleaning
practices.
- Implemented a more robust curbside pickup process, so customers
can be served without having to come inside the store.
- Changed delivery procedures to safeguard customer and associate
health by leaving items at the front door, garage, or alternative
location, or by asking if anyone in a customer's home has
tested positive for COVID-19 before entering the home for an
installation.
- Created pantries in stores so that associates can have access
to food while at the store and to take home.
For more information about the company's response, visit
newsroom.lowes.com.
About Lowe's
Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a
FORTUNEĀ® 50 home improvement company serving approximately 18
million customers a week in the United
States and Canada. With
fiscal year 2019 sales of $72.1
billion, Lowe's and its related businesses operate or
service more than 2,200 home improvement and hardware stores and
employ approximately 300,000 associates. Founded in 1946 and based
in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe's
supports the communities it serves through programs focused on
creating safe, affordable housing and helping to develop the next
generation of skilled trade experts. For more information, visit
Lowes.com.
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lowes-temporarily-increases-hourly-wages-and-implements-new-safety-efforts-in-response-to-covid-19-301034364.html
SOURCE Lowe's Companies, Inc.