Last updated on April 2nd, 2020
As the number of cases of Covid-19 continue to increase in the United States, grocery stores are on the front-lines in meeting the food and essential needs of consumers. They are reserving hours for shoppers most at-risk from the virus, and employees are working daily to keep shelves stocked and to serve customers.
In the Midwest, Coborn’s, has announced recent changes in hours while Fareway and Hy-Vee are showing their appreciation for their employees.
Coborn’s offers special hours for at-risk customers
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Coborn’s grocery stores in the Midwest are adjusting their hours. The first hour stores are open will be reserved for those most at-risk from the coronavirus, including senior citizens.
“We would like to provide these guests a time where the store is at its cleanest and the aisles are less crowded,” a spokesperson said.
The following are Coborn’s new reserved hours:
- Minnesota (except Moorhead), South Dakota and Wisconsin stores: 6-7 a.m.;
- Fargo, North Dakota, and Moorhead, Minnesota stores: 7-8 a.m.; and
- Western North Dakota stores: 7-8 a.m.
Fareway rewards hourly frontline employees with bonuses, more
Boone, Iowa-based Fareway Stores Inc. has announced its Fareway Family Frontline Plan to provide cash bonuses and additional paid time-off for its hourly employees who have worked on the frontlines during these unprecedented last several weeks.
A one-time cash bonus will be paid to hourly associates under the age of 18. Part-time hourly associates 18 and over will receive an additional 20 hours of paid time-off; full-time hourly associates will receive an additional 40 hours of paid time-off; and assistant managers and warehouse foremen each will receive an additional 47 hours of paid time-off. This additional paid leave can be used for time-off, or if the associate chooses, as a cash payment.
The bonuses range up to $1,200 per associate, with a total investment of several million dollars to the approximately 8,500 on the frontlines. The Fareway corporate office will distribute the bonuses to qualifying hourly employees on Friday, April 3.
“Our Fareway family on the frontline have worked tirelessly to serve our customers during these last several weeks,” said Fareway President and CEO Reynolds W. Cramer. “Our part-time and full-time store employees, office support, warehouse personnel and transportation department have risen to the challenge. Whether it’s additional cash in their pocket, or paid time-off to be with family or friends, we want to reward these hourly employees for their hard work and willingness to fulfill the new expectations of our customers now and into the future.”
Fareway is actively seeking additional associates at the distribution center. To apply at Fareway, or to find other opportunities, click here.
Fareway is a growing Midwest grocery company currently operating 123 stores in a six-state region. Fareway is a family-owned business, recognized as a top 10 employer in Iowa, and has more than 12,000 total associates.
Hy-Vee plans 10% appreciation bonus, new job benefits
To show its gratitude during this historic time, West DeMoines, Iowa-based Hy-Vee Inc. is giving a front-line employee appreciation bonus to all of its part-time and full-time store employees. The employees will receive a 10 percent bonus on all their hours worked from March 16 to April 12.
The bonuses are a $10 million commitment to employees and will be paid out on April 17.
In addition, Hy-Vee also is offering new benefits to its more than 80,000 employees in response to the Covid-19 outbreak.
“Our employees are our most valuable asset, and we must do everything we can to support them and their families during this critical time,” said Randy Edeker, Hy-Vee’s chairman of the board, CEO and president. “We hope these new benefits will help lighten the load for our employees who are working around-the-clock to serve our customers in our stores.”
Hy-Vee also is offering job protective leave for employees who either test positive for Covid-19 and/or are required by health officials to self-quarantine. This benefit will provide job protection for a minimum of two weeks and applies to all employees, no matter their length of service. Additionally, under this benefit, full-time Hy-Vee employees enrolled in short-term disability will also receive a minimum of two weeks paid time off.
A second benefit offers employees affordable access to telehealth services, including mental health. Hy-Vee is waiving co-pays for all full-time employees and their dependents who utilize the 24-hour virtual medical service and is allowing part-time employees to use the service for a minimal fee per visit.
Hy-Vee Inc. is an employee-owned corporation operating more than 265 retail stores across eight Midwestern states with sales of $10 billion annually.
