As Dis-Chem Pharmacies are part of the essential services available to South Africans during the lockdown period, its employees are placed under additional pressure to ensure that shelves remain fully stocked and that its stores and staff uphold stringent health and hygiene measures.

To strengthen current health and safety measures, all employees are being offered a free flu vaccine through its in-store clinics should it be deemed necessary by the clinic nursing sister. The group has placed orders for a sufficient quantity of thermometers to start monitoring temperatures and screen for Covid-19 signs and symptoms. 
 
Furthermore, in addition to annual salary increases which came into effect at the beginning of March, each employee is receiving vouchers to the value of R1500 to assist with purchases of food and essential health items to support staff and their families. The group believes that this R25 million spend is a small token of appreciation for the many heroes that go beyond the call of duty to ensure the delivery of key services at these challenging times.
 
“Whether our employees are facing consumers’ in-store, if they are at administration or management level, or if they are part of our warehouse and distribution teams to ensure delivery continues seamlessly throughout the lockdown period, each plays a vital role in our operations.  We have always taken employee welfare and wellbeing seriously, and the current unprecedented situation in which South Africa finds itself, reinforces the critical role that retailers and pharmacies will play in the coming weeks. As such we have instituted these measures both to further protect our people and the vouchers are to show gratitude for the collective solidarity they are displaying. We extend a special thank you to all the staff that support us via all our various channels of services, which include the stores, Pack My Meds and our online application. Our teams are going above and beyond and are doing more than we ever thought was possible,” says Lynette Saltzman, Executive Director at Dis-Chem Pharmacies.