Lidl, with its U.S. headquarters based in Arlington, Virginia, has issued an update informing its customers on how it is dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, saying that the health and safety of its team and its customers is top priority. The company is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure that it is implementing or exceeding all recommended guidance throughout this public health emergency.
Following is an overview of the key measures Lidl is taking to keep its team and its customers safe.
- Customer limits: As of April 11, Lidl temporarily is limiting the number of customers in its stores at one time to approximately five customers per 1,000 s.f. (unless where legally required). A designated team member is stationed at the entrance of the store keeping track of customer counts, disinfecting carts and directing customers to queue once that limit has been reached. This measure encourages social distancing from the moment customers arrive to Lidl stores and supplements the other measures the company is taking in this regard.
- Healthcare for all employees: Lidl offers comprehensive medical coverage to all full- and part-time employees, regardless of the number of hours they work per week. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Lidl developed a first-in-the-industry program with CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield to give all Lidl employees—including those hired temporarily during this public health emergency—access to comprehensive Covid-19 medical coverage at no cost.
- Masks/gloves for all employees: Although the CDC does not require its team to use masks and gloves, Lidl is committed to supplying this equipment to its teams during this health emergency. Disposable protective gloves are now available to all store personnel. Lidl currently makes five pairs available to each employee on each shift. The company actively is sourcing protective masks for use by its teams on each shift.
- Social distancing signage and announcements: New signage has been installed in all Lidl stores stressing the importance of social distancing. Lidl has placed indicators on the floors signaling how customers should always maintain a healthy distance. These social distancing messages, together with other recommended behavioral practices, are reiterated throughout the day in in-store announcements and on large monitors in employee breakrooms.
- Daily enhanced cleanings for all Lidl stores: Lidl has introduced an enhanced, daily cleaning and sanitization regimen in its stores utilizing EPA-recommended cleaning agents approved for use against Covid-19. Daily work is supplemented by specialized third-party sanitization of stores conducted on a weekly basis.
- Protective shields at all Lidl checklanes: Protective barriers are being installed at all Lidl checkout lanes to protect customers and employees during the checkout process. Lidl also is encouraging the use of contactless payment during checkout.
- Attendance policy that attends to the needs of the team: In addition to Lidl’s standard attendance policy, which entitles all employees to a minimum of 15 days PTO each year, Lidl has introduced a number of supplemental measures to address this public health emergency. The amended Covid-19 attendance policy includes three key measures:
- Employees who are not comfortable working in store or warehouse during the emergency are able to stay home without penalty.
- Employees infected by the virus, or those who work in a store or facility that is included within a government or company-instituted quarantine will be provided with up to 14 days of paid administrative leave while away from work.
- Employees over the age of 65, or those with documented conditions the CDC has determined place them at high risk of complications due to the virus, are eligible for paid administrative leave during the public health emergency.
- Reduced store hours: As of Monday, March 16, all stores open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. until further notice. (8 a.m.-7 p.m. in New Jersey). This temporary reduction in store hours will give team members extra time to work diligently to restock shelves, clean stores and recharge during these busy times.
