"We want to ensure the health of all of our associates and customers," said Jimmy Haslam, president and CEO of Pilot Travel Centers. "We are grateful for our employees who provide fast, friendly service [image-nocss] daily to our customers. We want them to stay healthy and that helps keep our customers healthy too."
Pilot also is encouraging employees to get the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. The H1N1 flu has created the first influenza pandemic in more than 40 years.
"The flu shot is the best defense against getting the flu. This year, getting immunized is even more important because we will have two types of flu strains circulating in the community this flu season," said Dr. Martha Buchanan, medical director of the Knox County Health Department in Knoxville, Tenn., where Pilot is headquartered. "People who have regular contact with the public are especially vulnerable and should protect themselves, which in turn protects the customers they serve on a daily basis. Knox County Health Department is encouraging businesses to make a plan for flu season and Pilot is setting a great example."
All Pilot Travel Center employees have received a flu immunization voucher, and upon showing the voucher and proof of employment at Pilot, they can receive their free flu shot at any participating Walgreens location. Employees can receive the needle-free flu vaccine (Flu Mist) if they prefer, also at no charge. Deerfield, Ill.-based Walgreens offers seasonal flu shots at more than 7,000 locations nationwide, including nearly all of its stores in 50 states and almost 350 in-store Take Care Clinics.
"We're also sharing information with our managers and employees so they can recognize flu symptoms and know how to protect themselves, fellow employees and customers from becoming ill with the flu," Haslam said. "We're encouraging our employees exhibiting flu-like symptoms to stay home and not return to work until at least 24 hours after the fever has passed."
Pilot Travel Centers LLC is a leading operator of truckstops and travel centers catering to the professional driver and traveling motorist in 41 states with more than 300 retail interstate properties. The company is held in a partnership between Pilot Corp., wholly owned by the Haslam family, and Propeller Corp. wholly owned by the funds advised by CVC Capital Partners, a leading global private equity firm.
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