Employee FAQs

Very good article from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus website

There are certainly a couple of options that might be available, including applying for FMLA leave or a personal leave of absence.  Please contact your HR professional for further details and eligibility requirements.

As a general matter, though, team members should feel safe coming into work.  As noted in a previous response, we have taken numerous steps to limit exposure to our team members.  For example, we have directed team members not to come to work if:

• They have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or have been diagnosed with COVID-19;
• They are at risk of exposure because of a family member who has symptoms of COVID-19 or is subject to a self-quarantine order or directive;
• They have traveled outside of the country in the last two weeks;
• They have traveled outside of the state for 3 or more days in the last two weeks.

We have also redoubled our cleaning and hygiene procedures.  Our facilities are subject – daily – to extensive cleaning and sterilization procedures.  In addition, we’ve worked to increase team members’ awareness of best hygiene practices.  That – and optimizing physical distance from others – is key to not contracting COVID-19, whether at work or outside of work.  To the extent team members exhibit symptoms of certain illnesses, they are being instructed to go home (and, if necessary, self-quarantine).

As a designated “critical infrastructure industry” by the US Department of Homeland Security, Indiana Packers is committed to following best practices so we can continue to supply meat products to consumers.  If you’ve gone grocery shopping in the past few weeks, you can appreciate why this is the case.  Indeed, the government has urged us to remain in operation so we can continue to play a critical role in ensuring that food is available for members of our community.  Therefore, we plan to remain open for business (and continue to provide wages and benefits to our employees) so that we can supply those necessities.

CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19.

You should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends it. A facemask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected. The use of facemasks also is crucial for health workers and other people who are taking care of someone infected with COVID-19 in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

SOURCE: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#anchor_1584386949645

Short answer: We don’t want to see COVID-19 come to Indiana Packers.  There are several things we can do and are doing toward that end.  For example, we have directed team members not to come to work if:

• You have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or have been diagnosed with COVID-19;
• You are at risk of exposure because of a family member who has symptoms of COVID-19 or is subject to a self-quarantine order or directive;
• You have traveled outside of the country in the last two weeks or until further notice;
• You have traveled outside of the state for 3 or more days in the last two weeks or until further notice.

We are actively monitoring the progression of the COVID-19 outbreak.  We have redoubled our cleaning and hygiene procedures.  Our facilities are subject – daily – to extensive cleaning and sterilization procedures.  In addition, we’ve worked to increase team members’ awareness of best hygiene practices.  To the extent team members exhibit symptoms of certain illnesses, they are being instructed to go home (and – if necessary – self-quarantine).  We will continue – using face-to-face discussions, huddle meetings, email, social media, and other forms of communication to keep you up to date on our efforts.

We will also follow all appropriate Board of Health directives regarding any reported incident of exposure in the workplace.

As a designated “critical infrastructure industry” by the US Department of Homeland Security, Indiana Packers is committed to following best practices in order to continue to provide meat products to consumers.  If you’ve gone grocery shopping in the past few weeks, you can appreciate why this is the case.  Our business – as part of the food processing industry – as well as other businesses referenced under the Department of Homeland Security provisions, play a critical role in ensuring that basic necessities are available for members of our community.  We plan to remain open for business so we can supply those necessities.

A listing of FAQs with respect to Indiana’s Stay at Home Order (going into effect at 11:59 pm on Tuesday, March 24).

Coronaviruses are generally thought to be spread from person-to-person through respiratory droplets. Currently there is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 associated with food. Before preparing or eating food it is important to always wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds for general food safety. Throughout the day wash your hands after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, or going to the bathroom.

It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

In general, because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is likely very low risk of spread from food products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient, refrigerated, or frozen temperatures.

SOURCE

If you have traveled from an affected area, there may be restrictions on your movements for up to 2 weeks. If you develop symptoms during that period (fever, cough, trouble breathing), seek medical advice.  Notify a member of the 1st Aid or HR department.

Call the office of your health care provider before you go, and tell them about your travel and your symptoms. They will give you instructions on how to get care without exposing other people to your illness. While sick, avoid contact with people, don’t go out and delay any travel to reduce the possibility of spreading illness to others.

Stay home when you are sick.

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

There is currently no vaccine to protect against COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to take everyday preventive actions, like avoiding close contact with people who are sick and washing your hands often.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

There is currently no vaccine to protect against COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to take everyday preventive actions, like avoiding close contact with people who are sick and washing your hands often.