Retailers are starting to pull back on bonus pay for workers due to the coronavirus situation, although Conagra Brands has announced another $7 million in bonuses.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Kroger, Amazon and other major retailers are dialing back the increases in hourly pay, usually $2 an hour, that they had started granting in April or May. Amazon had originally planned to stop paying the bonus on May 16 but is extending it through the end of the month, while Kroger stopped extra pay May 23 (after extending it once).
The companies are faced with expenses related to the pandemic, including extra sanitation, and have access to a pool of workers laid off from other jobs. However, unions and others are complaining that as long as employees have to maintain distancing and wear masks, they’re still in a hazardous situation.
Meanwhile, Conagra Brands has announced that it will pay additional bonuses totaling $7 million to workers at 50 production and distribution facilities. Conagra has been doing well during the pandemic, with its stock up 17% since early March.
