General Mills Taps Office Workers to Work in Plants

American food manufacturer General Mills is putting a number of measures in place to extend support to its workers and the communities it operates in, including asking employees at its corporate offices to temporarily work in its production facilities, the company announced in a release Wednesday. The move comes as food and beverage companies are under increasing strain to meet increased demand created by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“To ensure the company continues to safely manufacture food to service consumer demand, General Mills has offered healthy office employees the opportunity to provide temporary help in manufacturing facilities and support them in a variety of ways,” the company’s statement said. 

The company also announced that plant employees will receive a range of benefits. “Production-essential” workers will get a daily bonus for a minimum of four weeks. Employees who are in a mandated or voluntary quarantine, have to look after children out of school, have a medical risk, or are facing suspended work will receive two weeks of paid leave. General Mills is also offering childcare consultations at several of its locations. 

“Our company’s purpose is to make food the world loves. But the circumstances of today call on General Mills to make the food the world needs,” chief executive officer and chairman Jeff Harmening said in the release. “Our most important objectives are the continued health and safety of our employees and our ongoing ability to serve our customers around the world. We see it as imperative that we help ensure a steady and reliable food supply for people and pets.”

Additionally, General Mills revealed plans to contribute $5 million to programs that work to provide access to meals to children during the closure of schools and community centers. The General Mills Foundation will extend support to communities where the company has manufacturing plants. 

Powder & Bulk Solids reported on Monday that General Mills confirmed a worker at its Cedar Rapids, IA manufacturing plant is possibly infected with the novel coronavirus.

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