By Joshua Huff, sports editor
Kroger announced that it was giving its employees a temporary “hero bonus” late Tuesday night along with other benefits in an effort to boost moral and cement the health and safety of its workforce.
Hourly employees in grocery, supply chain, manufacturing, pharmacy and the call center will receive a $2 per hour pay raise, along with emergency paid leave for those who get coronavirus and need to self-isolate. This is all in addition to the appreciation bonus that Kroger had previously announced for its employees, which called for full-time employees to receive $300 and part-time employees get $150 on April 3.
“Our associates have displayed the true actions of a hero, working tirelessly on the front lines to ensure everyone has access to affordable, fresh food and essentials during this national emergency,” Rodney McMullen, Kroger’s chairman and CEO, said in a statement on Tuesday, March 31.
The “hero bonus” will stay in place for three weeks. Kroger and the United Food and Commercial Workers will “revisit discussions,” following that span.
Kroger also announced that ExpressPay will launch next week, which allows eligible hourly employees to take out a portion of their paycheck sooner than usual.