Vending

Sodexo closes Tennessee facility, affecting 94 employees

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September 4, 2020

Sodexo, the Paris based global foodservice provider, has filed a notice with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development that it has temporarily closed a facility, affecting 94 employees. In an email to Vending Times, a company spokesperson said the action was due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The facility at 412 JL Seehorn Jr. Road in Johnson City, Tennessee closed on Aug. 15, according to the notice. The Northeast Local Workforce Development Area's rapid response team has been notified to coordinate services for the affected employees.

"Unfortunately, the pandemic has closed some locations and reduced staff at others," a Sodexo spokesperson told Vending Times via email. "Wherever possible, we temporarily reassign staff to open Sodexo sites. We are also placing Sodexo staff where possible with various parts of the supply chain, uch as grocery stores and warehouses, that need extra help."

In situations where temporary reassignment is not possible, the company provides the employee the option of using paid time off that would accrue by the end of the year, extending sick leave related to COVID-19 and facilitating unemployment claims, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson did not offer insight as to when or if the facility would reopen.

For an update on how the coronavirus pandemic has affected convenience services, click here.