Hey smarty - type this “walmart coronavirus case” into Google and pick any of the first 10 links. You can pick your favorite mass media source just telling facts - that a single person at a single Walmart store in the US tested positive. It was randomly chosen from all 800+ cases and by pure coincidence happened to be at a store chain that millions of American’s shop at every day.
The nation's No. 1 private employer with 1.4 million employees implementing new emergency leave policies effective immediately in response to an employee testing positive for the virus. Golly, what's newsworthy about that?
The article on CNN is housed under its "Business" section. The majority of those googled first 10 links have it listed under business, money or investing sections. Two articles were from CNBC. Below was found on talkbusiness.net.
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This new protocol includes three different circumstances. Walmart said during any time an employee feels unable to work or becomes uncomfortable at work, they can choose to stay home. The retail giant said it is supporting this choice and will waive the attendance policy through the end of April. Walmart asks workers to call in as usual and let supervisors know if they are unable to work. Walmart said in order to be paid for this time off, workers can use their regular paid time off options.
Walmart said should a store, club or facility come under a mandated quarantine, or if workers are required to be quarantined by a government agency or Walmart, they will receive up to two weeks of pay, and absences during that time will not count again attendance. Walmart said it chose two weeks because it matches the recommended time for quarantines related to the virus.
The retail giant said should a worker have a confirmed case of COVID-19, they will receive up to two week’s pay. If they are not able to return to work after that time, additional pay replacement may be provided for up to 26 weeks for full-time and part-time hourly employees.
Walmart also has waived the year-long employment eligibility for workers to be able to apply for the company’s critical need grants which are administered by an independent charitable trust.
This move to accommodate store and distribution center workers comes after Walmart already told home office and back-office staff with the ability to work remotely from home to do so. Walmart also canceled its Year Beginning Meeting slated for this week in Dallas, opting instead to hold virtual meetings. Also, corporate travel on commercial airplanes has been curtailed, though the company’s own private jets are still available to take executives to stores and clubs each week on routine business.
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