Responding to COVID-19
The health and safety of our team members has guided all our actions and decisions.
Our Actions
We have been singularly focused on protecting our team members and did not wait for regulations before implementing our strong safety measures, which often outpaced evolving government and health professional guidance, and industry standards. We provided free COVID-19 testing, instituted travel restrictions, required social distancing, removed vulnerable populations with full pay and benefits, conducted employee screening, imposed mask mandates, reduced operating capacity, and temporarily closed facilities.
Review a Timeline of Our Actions
Safety Measures
We have implemented hundreds of safety measures, including constructing permanent physical barriers, establishing physical distancing protocols, and installing hospital-grade ventilation systems in all of our facilities. From early in the pandemic, we have worked with the federal and state government, along with health experts, to secure testing and other resources. We consulted scientists, medical professionals, union leaders, regulators, and the government to implement a range of safety protocols, facility modifications and other measures to protect our team members.
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Continuously Updating Our Operations
From installing plexiglass dividers and hand sanitizing stations to temperature checks and one-way footpaths, we are always looking for ways to enhance our safety measures in accordance with the best available science and guidance from experts. Our free surveillance testing program allows us to quickly identify potential introduction of COVID-19 from the community into our plants and mitigate spread through immediate quarantine and contact tracing procedures.
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Putting Our Money Where It Counts
We have invested $1.2 billion to address COVID-19 challenges, including:
- more than $586 million in increased wages and bonuses
- more than $270 million in health and safety measures
- $250 million in additional costs and investments
- more than $100 million in charitable investments to support our local communities
Encouraging Vaccinations
We continue to protect our team members through a major vaccination program that includes shuttering facilities to conduct onsite clinics, offering paid time off and cash incentives, purchasing ultra-low-temperature freezers for vaccine storage, and launching multi-lingual educational campaigns. To date, we have vaccinated more than 70% of our workforce, compared to more than 57% of Americans vaccinated. Throughout our public clinics, we have vaccinated more than 2,000 community members and awarded dozens of newly-vaccinated winners free meat for a year.
Watch Our Greeley, CO, Vaccine Clinic
Essential Business
To protect the nation’s food supply and keep food on dinner tables, we were deemed an essential business by the federal government. We take seriously our role in protecting the nation’s food supply and averted a national food shortage. We operate as a trusted community partner whose actions and products were necessary during an uncertain time.
Covering Expenses
We voluntarily removed vulnerable populations with full pay and benefits and covered 100% of all COVID-19 related health expenses for our team members and family members enrolled in our health plan. We continue to supply unlimited PPE and immediate testing to all symptomatic team members and close contacts, as well as offering $2,200 in incentive bonuses, plus time off for any U.S. team member willing to get vaccinated. Team member protections and benefits are clearly explained to our team members, no matter which language they speak.
Read About Our Vaccinations
Hometown Strong
Throughout the global pandemic, our team members and our communities have looked to us for reassurance that we can – and will – get through this crisis. We have invested $100 million in meaningful projects that will have a lasting impact in the communities where we live and work for generations to come.
See Our Impact
coverage of all COVID-19 related health expenses for our team members and their family members enrolled in our health insurance
in increased wages and bonuses since the onset of the pandemic
team members vaccinated
in health and safety measures to protect our workforce
COVID-19 News
Free Meat for a Year
Vaccination rates at JBS USA & Pilgrim’s facilities outpace that of the general population. We want to keep everyone in our communities as safe as we keep our team members. That’s why we hosted community events across the country this summer to encourage people to roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated. More than 2,000 people were vaccinated, and 50 newly vaccinated participants are being awarded a year’s worth of free beef, pork and chicken for a family of four.