POLICY: CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC
As we deal with the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, UniFirst remains open for business and committed to helping our customers with their operations. It is crucial that UniFirst remains open in support of our customers and the communities in which we serve. During this time, we are servicing many industries on the front-line dealing with COVID-19. People depend on UniFirst, as well as all our customers that are staying open, to meet their basic needs (now more than ever). However, the safety of our customers, employee Team Partners, and our communities will always be our number one priority. We have therefore strengthened our standard operating procedures and are following strict guidelines to ensure our locations remain open and functional while taking significant measures to help keep everyone safe. Keeping our Team Partners and Customers Safe •
We have increased cleaning and sanitizing processes throughout our facilities, utilizing external contractors where necessary.
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We have restricted on-site visitors to those who are strictly necessary. For those visits that are necessary, we are requiring all third parties to complete a health screening questionnaire before they are allowed access to our facilities.
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We have limited in-person meetings and work travel to that which is strictly necessary. We are encouraging digital forms of communication including Skype and Video Conferencing as alternatives.
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We have instructed our Team Partners who can work remotely to work from home. Our Sales Team Partners have also been instructed to minimize their time at our facilities and interaction with other Team Partners.
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Effective March 31, we have rolled out mandatory health screenings for all Team Partners prior to them starting their workdays. If any Team Partner demonstrates symptoms of a viral or bacterial illness, such as a high fever or dry cough, or they have recently come into contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, they will be sent home and instructed to self-quarantine for 14 days. Likewise, Team Partners will be sent home and instructed to selfquarantine for 14 days if they are returning to work after substantive overseas or domestic travel.
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All Team Partners who are not feeling well must stay home and seek medical attention as necessary.
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We are urging our Team Partners to conduct good personal hygiene and social distancing in accordance with guidelines published by the Centers for Disease and Control (CDC). To encourage social distancing, we are seeking to implement flexible work shifts where possible.
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We have amended our timeclock procedures by requiring Team Partners to swipe in and out of work and not use fingerprint touch pads.
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We have published and distributed best practice guidelines for our Route Service Representatives (RSRs). Those guidelines include: o RSRs should wear the appropriate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), including nitrile disposable gloves which should be exchanged after every service call; o After every customer stop, RSRs should wash their hands with soap and water or sanitize them with PURELL®; o RSRs should wear long sleeve shirts and long pants where possible; o RSRs should handle all customer products safely and avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands; o All truck delivery and pickup equipment should be wiped down/disinfected before and after handling; o Soiled laundry should not be shaken, and RSRs should avoid the barrel style of carrying garments – using baskets/carts where possible; o We are temporarily eliminating route scanning at customer sites; o We are urging all our Team Partners, including our RSRs, to limit close contact with customers and fellow Team Partners. This means staying at least six feet away from others and avoiding handshakes, fist bumps, etc.
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We have mandated that all Team Partners handling soiled laundry at our facilities must wear proper PPE, including gloves and face masks.
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In the event, one of our customers has a uniform wearing employee who tests positive for COVID-19, we will work with the customer regarding the appropriate way to handle any garments or products supplied by us.
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UniFirst uses special wash formulas and processes, as part of our industrial laundry operations, that are consistent with CDC healthcare laundering guidelines so that that all garments and textiles are hygienically clean before they are delivered to the customer.
We are committed to maintaining open and transparent communications with our customers during these difficult times. As always, we thank our customers and we appreciate the trust they put in us as we manage through this time together.
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