State Farm and COUNTRY Financial announce social distancing to prevent COVID-19

Posted on March 12, 2020
State Farm
State Farm said employees who are not equipped to work from home are urged to speak to their leaders about paid administrative leave. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – State Farm and COUNTRY Financial are implementing social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

In a news release, State Farm encouraged employees to work from home or consider paid administrative leave.  Here is an updated statement about those considering paid administrative leave:

“While today every employee does not have the ability to work from home, and may continue to work in one of our facilities, we are working quickly on tools to make it possible for most employees to work from home. We are prioritizing tools for employees who are customer-facing.  If an employee or a family member are at higher risk or a member of a special population as defined by the Centers for Disease Control, they can visit with their leadership about options, including paid administrative leave.”

 

“We are actively monitoring this changing health issue and evaluating our response to it,” State Farm officials said. “This is a rapidly changing situation and the decisions we are making balance those health concerns with our obligation to continue to serve our customers.” 

Meanwhile, COUNTRY Financial has decided to restrict all essential non-business travel until further notice.

“To minimize the spread of germs in large group settings, we have asked our leaders to utilize teleconferencing and virtual options, when possible, instead of holding large, in-person meetings,” COUNTRY Financial representatives added in a news release.” We have taken additional steps to maintain a healthy physical workplace in each of our corporate buildings.”

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected]. 

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