Back To Work

 Shopping has never been so complex. As most of the world has continued to deal with the ongoing pandemic, many retail businesses have made adjustments to help protect their employees and customers. 

After being closed for several months, Kohl’s has been one of many different department stores to reopen their doors over the Summer. Part-time employee, Rain Petrillo, has reflected over some of the changes that have made to the store post COVID-19. Petrillo claims that there were a lot of changes made upon her return to work. 

“We clean literally everything after every single transaction. If you get one person at the register, you wipe everything down. You get another person, you do the same thing,” Petrillo said. 

According to Petrillo, wearing gloves is also required of employees. She also says that shopping carts are regularly sanitized for customers. With all of these changes in effect, Petrillo admits it took some getting used to in the beginning. She also stated that she doesn’t quite do the same things she did at work before COVID. Petrillo has learned to adjust to these new rules and guidelines.    

“As I continue to work and get used to things, it just feels safer for everyone involved. The customers and the employees.” Petrillo stated. 

In relation to customers, Petrillo believes that they weren’t totally prepared for the policies implemented by the store. She stated that some customers may not completely understand the severity of the situation, despite being in a long period of quarantine.  

“There’s a lot of people who think that what we’re doing is annoying and they’re taking it out on us,” Petrillo said. 

The 20-year-old also noted that despite a few grievances, there are customers that do appear to be thankful for the efforts made to keep them safe while shopping.