The breakfast cereal company said this was an increase of 10% on its normal staffing levels. It has already completed the training for 55 of these temporary workers.
A Weetabix spokesman said the company had seen “high demand” for its products in the wake of Coronavirus and was working hard to meet these increased levels and deliver orders.
The spokesman added: “We are focusing our resources behind our core operation, so that we continue to provide this level of production.
Temporary staff
“We have recruited and trained a significant team of temporary staff to keep up with demand and are pleased to be able to offer this work to our local community, at what is a challenging time for everyone. We are continuing to recruit for yet more staff to join our team in the coming weeks.”
It also revealed that it had taken further actions for the safety of its employees.
“As a food manufacturer, the safety of our people and our food is always the top priority for us and never more so than now,” the spokesman said.
Further actions
“We have taken further actions to keep our workforce safe and protect them from the virus. These actions include an increase in cleaning shifts, on-site communication on how to stay safe, social distancing, wherever possible throughout the factory, and we have over 300 employees successfully working from home.”
Weetabix said it had been working with foodservice partners and the government to provide products for the weekly food care packages being delivered to the homes of the most vulnerable people in society.
It had also supported many charity requests, including providing product for local NHS hubs and other local organisations that are helping vulnerable people.
In addition, the company has increased the amount of product it provides to its existing charity partner Fareshare.
“We’re extremely proud and grateful to our extraordinary Weetabix Food Company employees, suppliers and retail partners who are working tirelessly to deliver supplies of our breakfast items to the nation,” the spokesman said.
