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COVERSTORY continued from page 21


closures first began in mid-March, they were in the midst of gearing up to go full steam and make up for that loss. However, as closures went into effect, Borst says they had to change gears. “We had to put a lot of plans into action quickly,” says Borst, who says the Allendale business needed to put their H-2B workers on hold. At press time, he still hadn’t been able to bring them all back. “We’re getting our work done but we’re running with about 85 percent of the workforce we’re accustomed to,” adds Borst. At times, Borst says that tensions amongst the team have been high. Employees are stressed — and for good reason, he says. He’s remained empathetic and focused on being a calm leader. “There are a lot of emotions right now and a lot of people are extremely stressed out by all of this,” says Borst. “We did have one manager and two field members take a leave of absence in the midst of it. So, it’s been important to take the time to talk to everyone, to calm them down, and to assure them that things will get better.”


RAMPING UP SAFETY With landscape businesses being considered “essential” and continuing operations across the country, it’s been important that owners ramp up their safety efforts not only to protect their people but to also remain in compliance with various mandates. Most lawn and landscape business owners have told us that’s meant drastically reducing office staff — or going completely virtual. It’s also meant limiting the number of workers on a crew, staggering start times, and eliminating all in-person contact with clients.


Mark Hopkins, regional vice presi-


dent of LandCare says that the com- pany has been quick to act across the company’s 50 locations, which span 20 different states. He says discussion of changes that could be made began back in February. That quick-thinking has made a difference. “The first focus was on the safety and welfare of our team members,” Hopkins shares. “When the initial cases were beginning to be seen in Washing- ton state, LandCare had already begun


“The first focus was on the safety and welfare of our team members. When the initial cases were beginning to be seen in Washington state, LandCare had already begun an aggressive, nationwide safety protocol of daily sanitation to protect our teams and customers. In addition, the company enhanced our PTO policies to aid team members either directly or indirectly impacted by COVID-19 illness or quarantines. As a result, to date, our team members have had their personal economic impact mitigated.” – Mark Hopkins, regional vice president of LandCare


22 The Landscape Professional //May/June 2020


Masks have become a new part of PPE for crews out working.


an aggressive, nationwide safety pro- tocol of daily sanitation to protect our teams and customers. In addition, the company enhanced our PTO policies to aid team members either directly or in- directly impacted by COVID-19 illness or quarantines. As a result, to date, our team members have had their person- al economic impact mitigated.” Borst has taken similar measures with reduced office staff and smaller crews. He also purchased a disin- fectant that could be used in the company’s mist blowers. Every single truck that comes back from the field is sprayed inside and out.


Rossen says that the company has set up washing stations where field crews can wash their hands when they


Continued on page 24 


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