2 minute read
Lidl
External and internal initiatives at Lidl Ireland looked to protect the team and customers in challenging circumstances
hroughout extremely
Tchallenging circumstances, our fantastic team went above and beyond to serve our communities in a safe environment. The hard work, passion, and pride of every single one of our colleagues, across every area of the business ensured that our COVID-19 response was exemplary. Our response to the pandemic included multiple waves of external and internal initiatives. Some examples of this include being the fi rst retailer to introduce priority hours for the elderly and vulnerable customers, launching dedicated Lidl Community Gift Cards to cater to customers shopping for cocooners and installing a host of protective measures including sanitation stations and Perspex screens. We launched a dedicated WhatsApp chatbot, designed to help customers choose quieter times to shop.
Internally there was a huge focus on protecting our team. One such initiative provided all employees with the option of free weekly antigen tests, which can be safely carried out at home and results given almost immediately. Each employee is provided with a pack accompanied with some information in relation to the tests. There is no obligation on our team to take the tests, they are simply an option they can choose to avail of if they wish for their own peace of mind.
WORK SAFE. LIVE WELL Isobel O’Connor, who manages the ‘Work Safe. Live Well’ programme focused on a number of innovative initiatives to ensure colleagues wellbeing was supported. “The resilience shown by all employees has been phenomenal. There has also been a widespread outpouring of support from the public acknowledging the exceptional work of our team over the last 18 months. Our focus is on creating an environment where the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues is prioritised, from their personal safety at work right through to their overall sense of wellbeing. Our programme is guided by employee feedback and aligned with key business objectives, creating a culture of wellbeing for each and every colleague.”
Lidl launched many internal wellbeing initiatives throughout the year such as the Eat.Well cookbook, the ‘I’m fi ne’ mental health campaign, online team building opportunities and a digital wellbeing studio on our employee app. Lidl also off ered fl exible working arrangements to parents aff ected by school and childcare facility closures.
We also launched a brand-new family leave programme focusing on how best to support parents. We know that many were struggling to make sense of the new way of living for their families, so we off ered a free day of 1:1 Digital Parenting consultations with a parenting expert. These factors combined with our continued focus on our team’s safety and wellbeing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic reaffi rms our commitment to embedding a culture of health and wellbeing in our business where our workforce feel happy, safe, and supported at work.
