Nestlé Canada Supports Employees and Communities During COVID-19

NORTH YORK, ON, March 26, 2020 /CNW/ - At Nestlé Canada, we care deeply for our employees and for the communities in which we operate and as a food and beverage company, we have an essential role to play during the COVID-19 crisis. Today, we are announcing that we are taking immediate action to further support our employees and our local communities.

Effective immediately, employees located in our factories and distribution centres across the country will receive a temporary increase of $3/hour, retroactive to March 16, 2020. Salaried employees in our factories who cannot work from home will receive a bonus as well. Additionally, in the event of any temporary shutdown related to COVID-19, up to twelve weeks' full pay will be provided for all hourly and salaried staff affected by the shutdown. Employees in our retail operations which have been temporarily closed, will also receive full pay up to twelve weeks.

"As a leading food and beverage company, we are an essential service and have a critical role to play in delivering the products that Canadians depend on. Our factory and warehouse employees, who are at the heart of our organization, are making an incredible difference during this time and because of them, our products continue to be available to Canadians," said Jeff Hamilton, President and CEO, Nestlé Canada.

At Nestlé Canada, health and safety has always been our highest priority and never more so than now. As such, these are a few examples of some of the measures we have implemented:

• We have a flexible Work from Home policy and over the last few weeks our office employees have moved to home-based work
• Our KIT KAT CHOCOLATORY and Nespresso boutiques have closed temporarily; while Nespresso product sales continue online
• In addition to our strict standards, significant measures have been taken to enhance our safety and hygiene practices across all of our operations - including factories, offices and distribution centres
• Social distancing has been applied across all our facilities, production lines and distribution centres

As a purpose-driven organization committed to enhancing quality of life and contributing to a healthier future, at Nestlé Canada we continue to support our long-time charitable partners, Food Banks Canada and Kids Help Phone with product and/or monetary donations during this challenging time. We have set up an employee-matching program and are doubling employee donations to these organizations who continue to experience unprecedented demand for their services.  

Added Hamilton: "In challenging times such as these, it is important to remember that our communities need our help. Our charitable partners are experiencing a major surge in food and service requests from many vulnerable Canadians and youth who rely on these services. Now more than ever, they need our help. Nestlé Canada is proud to be supporting Food Banks Canada and Kids Help Phone with product and/or monetary donations and we encourage others to do the same."

About Nestlé Canada
Nestlé is the world's largest food and beverage company present in 189 countries. Nestlé in Canada locally manufactures and/or distributes some of the world's most recognized and trusted brands, including LEAN CUISINE, BOOST, NESQUIK, NESTLÉ GOOD START, HÄAGEN-DAZS, KIT KAT, NESCAFÉ, NESTLÉ PURE LIFE, NESTLÉ DRUMSTICK, NESTLE PURINA AND NESPRESSO. Its 3,200 employees in approximately 18 locations across Canada are committed to Nestlé's purpose of enhancing quality of life and contributing to a healthier future. In 2016, Nestlé celebrated its 150-year anniversary, and has been present in Canada since 1887.  More information and details are available at www.corporate.nestle.ca.

SOURCE Nestle Canada Inc.