132: Stephanie Leinbach

Shift Supervisor, GIANT Foods

Stephanie Leinbach works as a shift supervisor at Giant Food Stores. As such she primarily coaches the other staff as well as flexing into whatever role is needed.  Although she typically works part time, with the pandemic she was required to work more hours, as many employees left due to fear of contracting Covid.  It was a very stressful time for the younger employees. They were often in tears , as customers were very angry about restricting the number of people in the store at once and wearing masks, and they frequently took it out on the staff.

Her household is made up of her husband, four children, and her daughter-in-law, who all worked during the shutdown.  Stephanie was extremely concerned about bringing Covid into their home, as were her son and daughter-in-law, who were teaching in person. They all were trying to keep distance in the house and shower immediately upon getting home.

Stephanie contracted Covid, but fortunately had minor symptoms. She knows about 25 people who were similarly affected. Her wish for the future is that people will become more empathetic and kind. Sadly Stephanie feels that, as bad as the pandemic was, it wasn’t bad enough to make human nature change.