“Wegmans is hiring” signs are posted in the front windows and at the registers.
Actually, Wegmans is almost always hiring. When much of your labor force consists of teenagers, college students and senior citizens, turnover is constant.
But the sign in the front window is new. And corporate has made a point of making the public aware that there are jobs. As the company states on its COVID-19 web page, ” During these uncertain times, our stores continue to hire for positions throughout all our markets.”
The push isn’t simply the result of needing more people to handle rising demand. Stores are experiencing a loss of seasoned workers.
Employees aren’t leaving because of coronavirus diagnoses, at least not yet. The daily news bulletin at my store, posted next to time clocks, points out that no one has tested positive for COVID-19.
People are staying home out of fear, primarily because of underlying conditions that make them vulnerable. They have autoimmune diseases or lung problems or diabetes. Or they’re experiencing sore throats. Or they’re afraid of infecting loved ones.
One coworker has a newborn baby at home. Another, with several conditions that jeopardize her health, stopped working on doctor’s orders.
My understanding is that everyone is welcome back. In the meantime, the company’s response is not to offer sick pay or company-organized testing, but to hire new workers.