11 minute read
Hit the Safety Mark One Million Miles at a Time
JASON STANLEY TRANSPORTATION/CROSSDOCK ADVISOR, CUSTOMER SATISFACTION KENELE SPELL COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST, CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
LEXINGTON DC DRIVERS HIT THE SAFETY MARK ONE MILLION MILES AT A TIME
WAYNE HAYES DRIVES ONE MILLION SAFE MILES FOR THE THIRD TIME
Tractor-Trailer Driver, Wayne Hayes, had just completed a delivery to an AutoZone store in Jackson, MS, when he received the call that he hit the significant milestone of driving three million safe miles. AutoZone recognizes Drivers when they achieve one million safe miles without a preventable collision. Wayne has twice won awards for driving one million safe miles and is the first three million-safe-miles Driver for AutoZone! With the average Driver taking 10 years to reach a million miles, doing so without incident requires a commitment to safety through patience, defensive driving and using key safety tactics. Congratulations, Wayne!
On average, three million miles equals more than 21,000 store deliveries and more than 74,000 pallets delivered.
On average, two million miles equals more than 14,000 store deliveries and more than 52,000 pallets delivered.
Wayne resides in Lexington, TN, and began his career with AutoZone on February 21 1994 as a Tractor-Trailer Driver for the Lexington Distribution Center. He prides himself on being a cautious truck Driver and often says, “Safe driving isn’t just a skill; it’s an attitude.” Over the years, he’s developed a great relationship with the stores he delivers to in East Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana. According to Transportation/Crossdock Advisor, Jason Stanley, Wayne has been on cloud nine since he reached his latest milestone. “Wayne is also proud to be an AutoZoner. He has a shelf in his home to proudly display the AutoZone patches, awards, shirts, hats and other unique collectibles he has received over the years. He is part of an elite group,” adds Jason. “Only a few Drivers in AutoZone’s history have achieved the one million-mile mark, and Wayne has reached it three times. He exemplifies our Pledge and Values and goes above and beyond daily.”
TWO MILLION MILES OF SAFETY
Tractor-Trailer Driver, Mike Lowrance, began his career in 1991, as an Outbound Order Selector in the Lexington DC. He was trained by Wayne Hayes and is a past Ricky Byrum National Roadeo participant.
When asked about his secrets to safe driving, Mike replied, “Watch your blind spots, give other Drivers adequate space and make sure your mirrors are properly adjusted—simple Driver Safety 101 Tips.” For each million safe miles driven, Tractor-Trailer Drivers receive $1,000 in gift cards, a commemorative plaque, and of course, AutoZoners receive a pat on the back from fellow AutoZoners. Congratulations to Wayne, Mike and all of our Tractor-Trailer Drivers, past and present, who have safely driven into the Million Mile Club!
COMING SOON!
The new Million Mile Safe Driver lapel pin with a diamond in the center.
JILL COLERAINE MANESS MANAGER, COMMUNITY RELATIONS, CUSTOMER SATISFACTION March 2018
THE ST. JUDE THANKS AND GIVING
In 2006, AutoZone began its partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. In that year, we collaborated to create an innovative, in-store point-of-sale campaign, now recognized across many companies as Thanks and Giving®. Through the Thanks and Giving campaign, AutoZoners have raised more than $45 million due to our loyal customers’ generosity. Last year, we hit a record for AutoZone of $5.8 million in donations for the hospital. AutoZone’s support does not stop there. We also support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through volunteerism, AutoZoner giving campaigns, in-kind donations and sponsorship grants for the St. Jude Memphis Marathon, AutoZone Liberty Bowl and FedEx St. Jude Invitational World Golf Championship. In recognition of our generosity, the hospital awarded AutoZone the St. Jude Partner of the Year Award in 2017 and 2019. Thank you, AutoZoners, for your efforts to help the children of St. Jude.
CAMPAIGN AUTOZONE HAS SUPPORTED ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL BY RAISING MORE THAN $45 MILLION TO FIND CURES AND SAVE CHILDREN IN THE DAWN OF LIFE.
HELPING AUTOZONERS AND THEIR FAMILIES BUILD MENTAL WEALTH AND STRENGTHEN RESILIENCE DURING COVID-19
The outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a source of unexpected stress and adversity for many people. Learning ways to look after your mental and emotional health creates “Mental Wealth,” which makes you more resilient and increases your overall well-being. It also means you’re more equipped to support everyone around you. Mental wealth and resilience can help us overcome hardships. But, they are not something we’re born with. They are practices built over time based on our unique experiences. This is why we all respond to stress and adversity differently. Resilience is like a seesaw or balance scale; negative experiences can tip the scale toward bad outcomes; positive experiences tip it toward good outcomes. For some people during the pandemic, the resilience scale may look like this:
CINDY WESSEL MANAGER, BENEFITS AND WELLNESS COMMUNICATIONS, CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
What can we do to build up our mental wealth and strengthen resilience? 1
UNLOAD THE NEGATIVE SIDE. Reducing sources of stress may include: • Practicing self-care by taking a few minutes for yourself, going for a walk and getting plenty of rest. • Taking advantage of the AutoZone Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through ComPsych Guidance Resources, which offers confidential emotional and mental wellness counseling for: Anxiety, depression, stress Grief, loss and life adjustments Relationship/marital conflicts
LOAD UP THE POSITIVE SIDE. Tip the scale towards positive outcomes for managing work, home, and childcare by: • Maintaining and encouraging connections with family and friends. Staying connected frequently by phone, video chat, email, or by writing notes and letters to the people we care about creates positive interactions and supports and protects our emotional well-being. • Accessing outside help and resources if you or someone else needs it. A lot is going on. It’s hard to be an expert at everything.
Asking for and getting help from others can get us through a low period or challenging time. • Ensuring continuous child development during the crisis. Continue supporting their development. Playing and laughing with a child is a great way to engage and relieve some stress too! Learn more at www.developingchild.harvard.edu.
• Strengthening core life skills:
Send or sign-up for text reminders of important appointments to help you stay organized. Opt-in to AutoZone’s new text message feature in AZPeople, so you don’t miss important AutoZone messages. Use grocery list apps, menu planners, and post daily schedules for the whole family to see.
Prescription Price Relief Has Arrived
CINDY WESSEL MANAGER, BENEFITS AND WELLNESS COMMUNICATIONS, CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
Does it feel like you’re spending more money on prescription drugs year after year? Many of us are. Prescription drug spending growth is projected to accelerate from 3.7% in 2020 to more than 5% per year during 2021–2023 because of faster than expected growth in drug prices. (Each January, pharmaceutical manufacturers raise the price of medications. In 2020, the average manufacturer increase was 7.5%.) That’s why the AutoZone Benefits team is excited to introduce a comprehensive prescription drug strategy for 2021 for AutoZoners covered by a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee (BCBST) medical plan. This strategy includes the OptumRx Home Delivery Program, Rx Savings Solutions, Optum Perks, the Optum Specialty Pharmacy and a new covered drug list (formulary list) for 2021. OptumRx Home Delivery Program for BCBST members provides three times the supply of prescription drugs at only twice the price. You get 90 days for the cost of 60 days, AND it’s mailed directly to your home. Optum Specialty Pharmacy is our exclusive Specialty Pharmacy beginning January 1, 2021, for BCBST members. Optum Specialty Pharmacy supports AutoZoners with a team of pharmacists and nurses who specialize in individual conditions. A specialty medication is a high-cost oral or injectable medication that is used to treat a complex condition. Specialty medications cannot be filled at a retail pharmacy. If you are a BCBST member, Optum Specialty Pharmacy provides resources and one-on-one support including: • Pharmacists to answer questions about your specialty medication 24/7. • A clinical care team to help understand specialty medications. • One-on-one support through video chats with medical care teams. • Helpful videos available from other specialty patients. • Additional supplies that may be needed at no extra cost. • Refill reminders. • Nurses available to discuss infusion services.
To enroll, call Optum Specialty Pharmacy at (855) 427-4682 or go online at https:// specialty.optumrx.com/ to get started.
The new covered drug list (formulary list)
became effective January 1, 2021. A formulary list is a list of medications covered under your prescription drug plan that are chosen for their safety, cost and effectiveness. Check out the formulary online in the Benefits Center at www.AutoZoners.com or on the AutoZoners app. The list determines the medication tier coverage level: generic (least expensive), preferred brand or non-preferred brand (most expensive). OptumRx* regularly reviews and updates the formulary. When a medication tier changes, you may pay a different amount for that medication. Medications can move to a lower cost tier at any time. • Medications may move to a higher cost tier when a generic equal becomes available. • Medications may move to a higher cost tier or be excluded from coverage on January 1 or July 1 of each year. It is important to review the new covered drug list with your doctor every January to make sure your prescription is covered. If a medication is excluded, there will always be an alternative option your provider can prescribe. * For AutoZoners covered by a BCBST medical plan.
CINDY WESSEL MANAGER, BENEFITS AND WELLNESS COMMUNICATIONS, CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
SPOTLIGHT ON RESOURCES THAT CAN LOWER YOUR PRESCRIPTION COSTS
AutoZone has partnered with RxSavings Solutions and Optum Perks to help you save money on your prescription drug costs. Rx Savings Solutions is a secure, online tool that can identify ways to save money on prescription medications. To get started, visit https://MyRxSS. com or call (800) 268-4476. Register your FREE account—it’s simple, secure and you’re already a member. Savings opportunities come in many forms: generics, different forms of the same medication (such as switching from a capsule to a tablet) and different medications that treat the same condition but cost less. Checking for ways to save money is easy—and it’s free! Optum Perks is a prescription discount card and savings program. Any U.S.-based AutoZoner can use Optum Perks, even if you do not have OptumRx coverage. This includes U.S. Territories, such as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. If you are a BCBST member, you will receive an Optum Perks discount card. This does not replace your OptumRx ID Card. Optum Perks and OptumRx work together. Present both the Optum Perks and the OptumRx ID Card to the pharmacist, who will determine the best price available, either on plan (OptumRx) or off-plan (Optum Perks). The
Optum Perks digital card is also available on the OptumRx tile on the AutoZoners app.
KERRY LAPUTKA DC PROJECT MANAGER, CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
(Left to right): DC Training Manager, Greg Ashford; DC Operations Manager, Enrique Perez; DC Manager, Jeff Harrison; and DC Safety Manager, Mikale Welch
AUTOZONERS GIVE BACK
AutoZoners Give Back is a new series where we highlight the good work AutoZoners are doing to make a difference in their communities.
AutoZoners from across the organization and Distribution Centers (DCs) came together for the Third Annual Angel Doyle Memorial Golf Tournament at Fair Oaks Golf Club in Oakland, TN. The annual event benefits Making Strides of Memphis and the Angel Doyle Children’s Fund. This year, the golf tournament, which is personally championed by AutoZoners, saw an increase in participation and sponsorship, and through other fundraising efforts, AutoZoners raised more than $23,500! Event organizers (Joe Buehrle, Manager, Supply Chain Support; David Cole, Regional DC Manager, Kerry Laputka, DC Project Manager) appreciated the support of more than 150 AutoZoners, sponsors and friends to make the tournament a reality this year.
AutoZone continues to embrace the philanthropic legacy of our founder J.R. “Pitt” Hyde, III, by recognizing AutoZoners’ contributions to the communities where we live, work and play. If you want to be featured or know any AutoZoner(s) who should be, visit DOC/Community/AutoZoners Give Back and use the form to tell us what you or they are doing in your community.
Angel Doyle was a 21-year AutoZoner who began her career as a Loss Prevention Manager in the Lexington, TN, DC. She held a variety of roles in Supply Chain Support at the Store Support Center in Memphis and eventually returned to the Lexington DC as a DC Operations Manager. Angel was always among the first to volunteer and participate in charitable activities, frequently spearheading teams to participate in fundraising activities and giving campaigns. Just fourteen months after losing her husband to cancer in February 2014, Angel was also diagnosed with cancer. Although Angel lost her battle in February 2018, her memory lives on in the hearts of AutoZoners who had the privilege to know and work with her through the Angel Doyle Memorial Golf Tournament. For more information about the Angel Doyle Children’s Fund, email Joe.Buerhle@AutoZone.com or Kerry.Laputka@AutoZone.com.