Stricter absence policy going back into effect at IA packing plants

DES MOINES, Iowa (KMTV) — On Thursday, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and other officials held a coronavirus press briefing.

The state of Iowa is reporting 14 additional deaths and nearly 700 new coronavirus cases.

Tyson Foods, which has several meat processing plants across Iowa, is going back to its old attendance policy which punishes workers for missing shifts. Under the policy, workers can get punished and even fired if they miss a certain number of shifts. Tyson will still excuse absences by employees who have tested positive for coronavirus or have symptoms of COVID-19.

On Tuesday, we learned Tyson was dealing two additional outbreaks in the state, including one in Pottawattamie County. According to the company's press release, 224 of their nearly 1,500 employees tested positive. The company said more than half of those employees did not show symptoms.

A reporter asked the governor what she thought of Tyson’s change in policy and Reynolds said she was not going to second guess business decisions but that the state would continue to support employers by helping with testing and mitigation guidance.

3 News Now This Morning Anchor Courtney Johns provided live updates via Twitter:

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