Navigating COVID-19

The global pandemic has profoundly impacted all of our lives. We’re focused on keeping our associates safe and supporting our communities impacted by COVID-19.

As the pandemic took hold in North America and more of us stayed close to home, consumers turned to gardening as a form of respite and release. The result has been an extraordinary consumer demand for our products. Working closely with our partners, we continued getting products to consumers at a time when they need them the most.

Keeping our associates safe

Location-essential associates working in sales and manufacturing

Customized to each workplace, our pandemic protocols include increased sanitation procedures, marking off safe distances, putting up physical barriers between workstations, closing down common areas and staggering arrival and departure times to reduce contact.

Flexible leave for associates

Sick leave policies were expanded to accommodate associates who became ill or needed to care for family members.

Premium pay for our frontline workers

Among the most generous in the nation at the time, we provided increased pay amounting to 150% of many frontline workers’ normal hourly rate.

Work from home for those who can

Associates who can perform their jobs from home are directed and resourced to work remotely.

Adjusted hours for our field sales associates

Amid stay-at-home orders, the working hours of our field sales force changed to ensure products could be merchandised afterhours to minimize interaction with retail staff and consumers.

Teams supporting teams

Early on, when hand sanitizer supplies were exhausted, our research and safety teams worked together to produce our own and provide it to our U.S. sales and manufacturing associates.

Bonuses shared with associates

When the consumer demand for lawn and garden products soared, we shared our success with our associates –– surprise bonuses for more than 3,000 associates who aren’t normally bonus-eligible.

Mental health challenges of the pandemic

Through our Employee Assistance Program, we share mental health resources, including drop-in video chats, regular podcasts, and Q&A sessions with Dr. John Zerbe, a board-certified internist, to provide practical help to associates.

Face shields for first responders

We shifted production in our Temecula, California, manufacturing plant to produce and donate over 600,000 face shields to help protect healthcare workers and first responders in critical need areas across the country.

Increased support for our communities

Community gardens offer hope amidst pandemic

We’re clear about our purpose to GroMoreGood everywhere. Every year, we invest in local gardening projects that are improving and transforming their communities. Over the past 10 years, these commitments have resulted in the creation of more than 1,500 gardens and greenspaces. In 2020, we extended grants to 375 programs that are bringing the benefits of gardening to kids and families across the country. This work continues in 2021, and we are more committed than ever to support the vital work of local community gardeners with our annual Grassroots Grants program.

Caring for our community nonprofits

Our community relations team worked to release new funds to hard-hit organizations and provide flexibility to existing grantees to use funding for the most urgent needs in their neighborhoods. We adjusted product donations to accommodate state and local restrictions and worked directly with our partner nonprofits on special projects that arose.

Fresh produce for our local community

Every year since 2009, our associates have planted raised-bed gardens on our Marysville, Ohio, campus. All of the harvested produce goes to the local Marysville Food Pantry. To date, we’ve donated over 38,000 pounds to families and neighbors in need. Our efforts continued amid the pandemic, and we were able to help feed 300 families every month this summer.

Emergency response funds for our hometown

When the pandemic hit, we were one of the first to support our local community by providing emergency relief funds for the Union County Foundation and United Way of Central Ohio. These funds were used to support nonprofit groups on the frontlines providing food distribution and emergency services to the community.