Trader Joe's Virus Integrity Grade = C-
Trader Joe’s Virus Integrity Grade = C-
I really empathize with grocery store employees -- it's not quite like working in a hospital, but it's still quite hazardous work right now, requiring clerks to leave their homes and routinely come into contact with entire communities in an environment not designed for social distancing. And there's a lot of work to do -- business is way up in grocery stores, as people can't eat out anymore.
Trader Joe's has a long history of being a great place to work, so they get the benefit of the doubt. Like other grocery stores they've had to make adjustments on the fly here....it's hard, particularly in a chain known for narrow aisles and dense display shelves, and where local stores have a lot of autonomy (making consistent measures harder to adopt). But all that aside, there are too many reports of missteps to give TJ's a good grade. Better hazard pay, protective equipment, better sick leave policies and more in store distancing all seem like reasonable employee asks here, particularly in an environment where business is booming.