CINCINNATI, March 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger
Family of Companies (NYSE: KR) today announced that it will provide
a one-time bonus to every hourly frontline grocery, supply chain,
manufacturing and customer service associate, amounting to
$300 for every full-time associate
and $150 for every part-time
associate.
"Grocery workers are on the frontlines, ensuring Americans have
access to the food and products they need during this unprecedented
pandemic," said Rodney McMullen,
Kroger's chairman and CEO. "Our associates are working around the
clock to keep our stores open for our customers. I am incredibly
grateful for all they are doing. The true heroes in this story are
our associates, and we want to provide them with additional
resources and support to help them continue their remarkable
effort."
"In every decision we make, we strive to balance our most urgent
mission – to be here for our communities when they need us most –
with ensuring the safety of our associates, customers and
communities."
The special bonus will be paid to frontline associates who were
hired on or before March 1, covers
the payroll period March 8 - 28, and
will be payable on April 3.
Expanded 14-Day COVID-19 Emergency Leave
Guidelines
The company today also expanded its COVID-19
emergency leave guidelines to include paid time off for
self-isolation and symptoms as verified by an accredited health
care professional. This expands the new guidelines, announced on
March 14, which allows paid time off
for associates diagnosed with or placed under quarantine due to
COVID-19. In each scenario, all associates will be eligible to
receive their standard pay for up to two weeks (14 days).
"We believe that by expanding our emergency leave guidelines,
more of our associates can feel certain knowing that if their
health is affected by or if they experience symptoms of COVID-19,
they will be supported while they stay at home and recover," said
Tim Massa, Kroger's senior vice
president and chief people officer. "We are appreciative of all of
our managers who have been working individually with associates in
recognition that every associate's situation is personal. We also
want to make it easier for associates to follow our guidance to
stay home if they feel sick and to do our part to flatten the
curve."
For those affected by COVID-19, the organization has also made
available additional resources through the Kroger Family of
Companies Helping Hands fund to provide financial assistance
to associates who face hardship due to COVID-19, including lack of
access to childcare and for those considered higher-risk.
To download Kroger b-roll, visit here.
About The Kroger Co.
At The Kroger Co.
(NYSE: KR), we are Fresh for Everyone™ and dedicated to our
Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit®. We are, across our family
of companies, nearly half a million associates who serve over 11
million customers daily through a seamless shopping experience
under a variety of banner names. We are committed to creating
#ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more about us,
visit our newsroom and investor relations site.
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kroger-family-of-companies-announces-appreciation-bonus-for-associates-and-expands-14-day-covid-19-emergency-leave-guidelines-301027831.html
SOURCE The Kroger Co.