Lowe’s puts in place enhanced safety measures

Company has put in place updated safety measures including changes to store layouts, PPE and an app

Lowe's (PRNewsfoto/Lowe's Companies, Inc.)

Lowe’s has made major changes in response to the pandemic, including changes to store layouts, staffing, product lines and opening hours, underlining the scale of response that consumer-facing essential companies are making.

Alongside 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, the company has hired 30,000 associates.

Alongside this adjustments have included:

  • Closing all stores at 7 p.m. daily to ensure additional time to replenish essential products and thoroughly clean and sanitize stores daily.
  • Making masks and gloves available to all associates in the workplace who want them. All N95 medical masks were placed on a stop sale and are being donated to hospitals and first repsonders.
  • Development of an app to implement a new customer limit protocol for associates' handheld devices. Each store manager can now monitor foot traffic and limit entrance based on CDC and local guidelines.
  • Adding dedicated social distancing ambassadors who will be responsible for monitoring customer flow in and enforce customer limits to allow proper social distancing.
  • Updates to store floor layouts to further support the CDC's guidelines for social distancing, such as opening up aisle space by removing displays. 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
  • Installed customized Plexiglass shields at all points of sale to protect cashiers and customer service associates working the return desk.
  • Increased third-party cleaning shifts.
  • Shipping additional 10,000 truckloads of essential products during March.
  • 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.
  • 14-days of emergency paid leave.
  • 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, including seasonal, temporary, part-time or full-time, regardless if they are enrolled in Lowe's medical plan.

"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."

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