Introductory Statement

INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT

This employee handbook is designed to acquaint employees with Lakeland and to provide important information about working conditions, employee benefits, and some of the policies affecting your employment at Lakeland. The policies and procedures contained within this handbook apply to all employees, except as otherwise stated. This handbook explains many of the programs developed by Lakeland to benefit employees, as well as what Lakeland expects of its employees. It supersedes all prior policy statements, agreements, understandings and representations (oral or written) dealing with the same subjects. You should read, understand and comply with all provisions.

However, this employee handbook cannot cover every situation or answer every question about policies and benefits at Lakeland. Also, sometimes we may need to change the handbook. Lakeland has the right to add new policies, change policies, or cancel policies at any time. However, if Lakeland makes changes to the handbook, employees will be notified of such changes. In addition, any questions of interpretation of these policies, or application of these policies to unusual or extenuating circumstances, shall be left to the sole discretion of the Cooperative Director. Finally, Lakeland reserves the right to deviate from the policies and procedures contained within this handbook, with the exception of the arbitration procedures contained in the Problem Resolution procedures. Any grievance initiated will be allowed to complete the process through the arbitration procedure, when applicable.

This handbook is provided for your information only. The provisions in this handbook are guidelines and are not intended to create, nor should they be construed to create, a contract for employment or for benefits. Moreover, in any situation where a specific benefit plan document exists, the terms of the plan document are controlling, regardless of any statement contained within this handbook.