Maple Leaf Foods, Hormel Foods and J.M. Smucker Co. have joined the ranks of companies who are offering their employees bonus pay due to the coronavirus situation.
The three processing companies announced the measures March 23, seeking to reward workers who have no choice but to come to work, sometimes in areas where the population at large has been directed to stay at home as much as possible.
“In this global crisis, we are compelled to look beyond our business and do what we can to support the many dedicated people who continue to deliver the critical services we depend on, as well as the most vulnerable in our society,” Michael McCain, president and CEO of Maple Leaf Foods, said in a statement.
Measures taken by the three companies include:
Maple Leaf will pay hourly employees an extra $80 Canadian per week (US$55.41). Maple Leaf also announced plans to match up to US$1.4 million in donations for emergency food relief efforts across Canada, and will donate US$1.7 million to the Canadian Frontline Healthcare Professionals Protection Fund.
Hormel will give a bonus of $300 to full-time employees and $150 to part-time ones – a gesture that the company estimates will total more than $4 million. Hormel will also donate $1 million to hunger-relief organizations including Feeding America, Convoy of Hope and Conscious Alliance.
Smucker is giving $1,500 “hardship awards” to approximately 5,700 employees in manufacturing, distribution and other functions. In addition, it is awarding up to 12 weeks of full pay to employees in any facilities that might be closed due to coronavirus, and 14 days of sick pay to employees who test positive for COVID-19 or have to stay home to care for family members who do.
