Our studio is over 120 years old. It has seen and endured over a century of opportunity, trials, and tribulations. This pandemic and recent civil crisis are yet more challenges added to the history of our stained glass family. “I’m proud that our stained glass family has pulled together to focus the business even more and still help our customers so our growth can continue,” says John D. Phillips, Founder & CEO.

Many have asked what we are doing in this trying time as many in the stained glass industry are struggling to help our teams and neighbors.  For the six years since the merger and the 16 years before that our amazing team has been focussed on developing our business operations. Our ability to work remotely was thankfully already part of our business operations and culture.  Being able to purchase ahead and continue to be financially secure has helped us pivot and adapt.  When we have been faced with a major obstacle, our team has been prepared, even with one as formidable as COVID-19.  

Our workers are our most important assets and Associated Crafts/Willet Hauser Architectural Glass is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all our employees. To ensure that, we have instituted a Preparedness Plan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Preparedness Plan follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidelines and federal OSHA standards related to COVID-19 and addresses:

  • hygiene and respiratory etiquette
  • engineering and administrative controls for social distancing
  • housekeeping – cleaning, disinfection, and decontamination
  • prompt identification and isolation of sick persons
  • communications and training that will be provided to managers and workers 
  • management and supervision necessary to ensure effective implementation of the plan. 

Workers are encouraged to self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. All employees entering the studio are screened before entering. Temperatures are taken regularly and we have implemented leave policies that promote workers staying at home when they are sick, when household members are sick, or when required by a health care provider to isolate or quarantine themselves or a member of their household.

Social distancing is being implemented in the workplace — both in-studio and on-site, through a number of administrative controls, including (among others):

  • All work stations are 6’ from other employees
  • If possible, employees who are able to work remotely are able to do so.
  • Break times are staggered so employees don’t gather in groups and can remain socially distant
  • Meetings are held virtually or at a social distance. 
  • Cloth Face masks have been provided to all employees.

According to the VP of Operations, Robert Bohannon, “Our on-site crews are doing better and are safer since no one is at the churches. We run two-man crews- they go to work, use a drive-thru for lunch, and then go back to the hotel where they stay to themselves. At all times our crews are wearing masks and keeping away from other people.”

Our goal is to mitigate the potential for transmission of COVID-19 in our workplaces, and that requires full cooperation which we are blessed to have in our teams. Only through this cooperative effort can we establish and maintain the safety and health of our workers and workplaces.

When you visit our stained glass studio or see our crews inside,  our teams’ smiles will be covered by masks but we want you to know that they are still there!