BJ’s Wholesale Club to begin team member temperature checks

As retailers continue to take measures to protect both its employees and shoppers, BJ’s Wholesale Club is joining the initiative amidst the COVID-19 epidemic and taking extra safety precautions.

The Westborough, Mass.-based retailer announced that it has begun taking temperature checks of its team members as they report to work at all of its locations.

Associates must enter through the designated employee entrance, regardless of the start time, and if a team member registers with an elevated temperature, he or she will not be able to enter the store and will instead be sent home to seek medical care if necessary, the company said.

In the coming weeks, BJ’s will begin to make masks and gloves available to team members who wish to wear them.

Following in the steps of other locations, the retailer also will increase the pay for all hourly employees in its clubs, distribution centers and home office through May 2, 2020, and will close its doors on Easter Sunday, April 12 to give employees a day of rest.

“Our priority has been and remains the health and safety of our team members, members and communities. We deeply appreciate the hard work and dedication of our team members, and we value the trust and confidence that our members have in us to provide them with essential services during this challenging time,” Lee Delaney, president and CEO of BJ’s Wholesale Club, said. “We’ve implemented significant new protocols to help promote a healthy and safe environment for members and team members. We will continue to take precautions following guidelines and recommendations from health experts and relevant federal and state agencies.”

Joining other retailers, BJ’s Wholesale Club also will begin to limit the number of members allowed inside its club at one time, and no more than 20% of its total capacity will be allowed in the building at any given time, the company said.