GENERAL MANAGER UPDATE
Sarah Hannigan General Manager
Rallying Around Gratitude
G
ratitude is a powerful thing and it’s a tool we’ve been using at the Co-op a lot lately. As our staff go above and beyond the call of duty, gratitude fuels us to do even more.
It’s not an easy time to work at a grocery store. We continue to prioritize staff safety, but that means an entirely different workplace experience than the one many of our employees signed up for. For instance, following the guidance of Minnesota Department of Health, PPE requirements for staff now include both a face covering and eye protection while working. As you can imagine, this isn’t very comfortable — and we’re doing our very best to accommodate — but it’s what must be done. Same goes with enforcing our shopper safety policies. Reminding shoppers to cover both mouth and nose, or breaking up a friendly (though not socially distanced) conversation in the aisles takes a toll on our teams who are often short-staffed because of last-minute absences related to the pandemic. If this is stressing you out, I’ve made my point. Our staff are doing an incredible job navigating this global crisis and they need your support now more than ever. Let’s be loud with our praise: Co-op Staff ... we are grateful for you and all you’re doing through these crazy times. We know it is challenging on many fronts. Thank you taking such care to uphold our safety protocols. Thank you for having patience with our shoppers and suppliers. Thank you for demonstrating grace, and serving our community, through these unprecedented times. It means a lot for our teams to see the gratitude of our greater community and it’s being noticed and shared. Every thoughtful Facebook comment, email and outof-the-blue checkout “thank you” is being passed along and in team huddles, on bulletin boards, in employee newsletters, at board meetings, and more. This spirit of gratitude is being nurtured and encouraged amongst our staff as well. “Caught in the Act” shout-out boards adorned with kudos shared by staff for fellow co-workers, remind us that acts of kindness — even the seemingly small things — can brighten one’s day. Our local business community is joining the kudos
train as well. In the Fall, we hosted a socially-distanced staff appreciation event and, despite the challenging circumstances facing them, so many local businesses joined in to share their appreciation with prizes and donations for our staff giveaway. Thank you 7 West Taphouse. Thank you Damage Boardshop. Thank you Lake Ave Restaurant and many, many more. More recently, there was buzz amongst staff when Hoops Brewing announced “Free Beer Mondays” for local grocery store employees in December. Thank you!
Co-op Staff ... we are grateful for you and all you’re doing through these crazy times. We know it is challenging on many fronts. Thank you taking such care to uphold our safety protocols. Thank you for having patience with our shoppers and suppliers. Thank you for demonstrating grace, and serving our community, through these unprecedented times. The new year is certain to bring more challenge and change to the grocery sector and our Co-op as we continue to pivot to respond to the impact of the pandemic, taxed supply chains, an unstable economy, and climate change. It is your kindness, your encouragement, and your care for the Co-op that reminds us that we are here for community, we are here for connection, we are here for each other. On pages 8-9, we highlight some of these welldeserved Co-op Staff shout-outs and we ask you, our community, to join in and submit your own at wholefoods.coop/comments or on our Facebook page. We will share them with the team! From all of us at the Co-op...thank you. In cooperation and with gratitude, Sarah sarah@wholefoods.coop 3
