Tractor Supply is helping vaccinate rural America
As we enter the vaccination phase of the pandemic, ‘Rolling Up Our Sleeves’ has become our mantra at Tractor Supply to educate all 42,000 of our team members, their families and their communities.
the threat posed by COVID-19 first forced the United States into lockdown, we have all witnessed significant tragedy, but also many examples of courage and determination – particularly in rural parts of the country.
With vaccines now being distributed and administered across the U.S., it’s inspiring to hear about people in rural communities who are going the country mile to help their fellow neighbors.
In January, the Boston Globe pointed out that, “some rural states have proved the most innovative, even while facing the formidable challenge of distributing vaccine to populations dispersed across large geographic areas.”
In another win for rural America, Reuters noted a few weeks later that many rural counties had “excelled at getting injections into arms fast and efficiently, outpacing big cities despite disadvantages in healthcare infrastructure and finances.”
The article recounted that when a rural Texas elected official, Juan Carlos Guerra, learned that the county was about to receive 300 doses of the vaccine, he joined with a local school superintendent to personally call people who were eligible for the vaccine and schedule appointments for them. The next day, all of the vaccines were administered – in a local pavilion typically used for livestock shows.
How we support our employees
The work of dedicated officials like these throughout rural America is paying off. CDC data shows that four predominantly rural states – Alaska, New Mexico, South Dakota, and North Dakota – have fully vaccinated the highest shares of their adult populations.
Their success is an example for all of us – and Tractor Supply has been trying to pave a similar path. We recognize that strengthening the U.S. economy depends in part on restoring confidence that store environments are safe for both our team members and our customers.
As we enter the vaccination phase of the pandemic, “Rolling Up Our Sleeves” has become our mantra at Tractor Supply to educate all 42,000 of our team members, their families and their communities that we support them in taking this important step.
Its centerpiece is a payment of $50 for all our team members who elect to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, coupled with time off as needed to get the shot. To further alleviate the barriers to receiving a vaccine, Tractor Supply has partnered with a third-party provider to facilitate onsite vaccination clinics at our eight distribution centers and store support center upon availability.
COVID-19 meant taking measures and making investments
These vaccination measures have reinforced the countless actions we have taken since the virus began to spread throughout the country.
One of our first steps was to retain leading infectious disease expert Dr. Peter Matos to assist in the creation and oversight of our internal pandemic team.
With the pandemic team’s guidance, we became one of the first retailers to tell our team that if you feel sick, stay home. As the pandemic evolved, we expanded this policy to also pay team members when they need to quarantine, regardless of where their exposure occurred.
In all instances, we provide free case management that supports the team member throughout their quarantine. We send care packages to every team member that has tested positive for COVID-19 and provide all team members with personal protective equipment and wearable contact tracing bands.
We also increased pay for every hourly employee and distributed bonuses to those working during the pandemic.
The United States will emerge more resilient
Tractor Supply Company is present throughout rural America, and we’ve seen how neighbors living life out here have stepped up to meet the coronavirus challenge.
We are committed to doing our part. There is still much more to be done, but I’m confident that the United States will emerge from this period more resilient – and better prepared to meet whatever future challenges await us.
Hal Lawton is President & CEO of Tractor Supply Company.