As it works to keep its drugstores open and staffed amid the coronavirus pandemic, CVS Health (CVS 1.67%) is rewarding the employees who make that possible with bonuses of $150 to $500. Pharmacists, healthcare professionals, store associates and managers, and other site-based hourly employees will be eligible for the bonuses.
CVS also announced plans to offer some paid sick time to its part-time employees, who didn't previously accrue sick time like their full-time colleagues. The company will also give 14 days of paid leave to any employee who tests positive for the virus or needs to self-quarantine due to potential exposure.
To help those employees with dependent-care needs, the company will cover 25 days of child or elder/adult care through the Bright Horizons network of providers.
"The health and wellbeing of our colleagues has always come first. We've been working around the clock to increase availability of supplies and update protocols to ensure our stores are safe for colleagues and customers alike," said President and CEO Larry Merlo in a statement.
Image Source: CVS Health
To meet its now-higher staffing needs, CVS plans to hire 50,000 full-time, part-time and temporary employees across the country -- from store associates to home delivery drivers, distribution center employees and customer service professionals. To reduce potential exposure from in-person contact, CVS plans to hold virtual job fairs and interviews. And, to bolster its search for new employees, the company plans to reach out to its clients, such as Hilton Worldwide Holdings and Marriott International, that have recently had to furlough large numbers of workers.
