John Deere has created a page on its corporate website for updates on its response to the Covid-19 situation.
Last week, the company noted that its business continues to operate because it is designated by President Trump and the Department of Homeland Security as essential. According to the President’s guidance issued on March 16, “If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule.”
“Keeping farmers and those involved in infrastructure and energy production up and running is essential to food production and our ability to support critical infrastructure needs,” the company said in a statment.
“This designation does not take away from the fact that our priority continues to be the safety and well-being of our employees and the communities we serve,” it said. “To that end, we have put in place international and domestic travel restrictions, staggered shift schedules to enable social distancing, remote and flexible work arrangements for those employees not required in factory operations, and enhanced cleaning and sanitation regimens across our facilities, and enhanced social distancing, among other efforts.
Community response to Covid-19
Our efforts to keep our factories running is to ensure we’re able to keep our customers operational with the parts, service, finance, support and equipment they rely on us for—including farmers and contractors who are critical to the well-being of our nation and world.”
The Illinois-based manufacturer offered customers possible assistance with financial hardships, and the John Deere Foundation is offering a 2-for-1 match for employee donations to select home-community food banks and American Red Cross chapters.
Source: John Deere