A Walmart associate in Kentucky has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, initiating the company’s new emergency employee leave program.
The nation’s largest private employer announced the infection on Tuesday. The associate is a female who works at a Walmart in Cynthiana, Kentucky. Her condition is improving after receiving medical care, the company said.
A memo was sent to employees from Walmart United States CEO John Furner, Sam’s Club CEO Kathryn McLay, and Walmart Inc. Chief People Officer Donna Morris. The memo explains the new emergency leave policy instituted in response to the coronavirus outbreak, which has sickened hundreds and killed 28 in the United States.
Walmart said that the Kentucky store remains open, and it has “reinforced our cleaning and sanitizing protocol.”
“We all know we are in unprecedented times,” Adam Stavisky, senior vice president of Walmart U.S. benefits, told CNBC. “Walmart is looking to see how we can best support our associates … we are implementing first of our kind benefits for associates.”
There are three outlined scenarios for the new leave policy.
In the first scenario, an employee wishes to stay home because he or she feels “uncomfortable” or is unable to work at the store. Walmart waived its attendance policy through April and allows those who fall in that category not to work, although they won’t receive any pay and must draw from their regular paid time off.
The second scenario is if a facility comes under quarantine by the company or the government, or if an employee is told to self-quarantine. In that instance, workers receive up to two weeks of paid leave.
The third, as is the case with the Kentucky employee, is when an associate becomes sick with COVID-19. That employee will receive two weeks of pay and, if still suffering after that time, can receive pay replacement up to 26 weeks after.
Worldwide, the coronavirus has infected more than 118,000 and killed at least 4,262. Some countries have gone to extreme measures to contain the growing illness, with Italy on Monday placing its entire country of 60 million people on lockdown. Universities across the U.S. began implementing social distancing policies, including canceling classes and beginning remote studies.
