Target increases hourly pay, announces paid leave program for employees most vulnerable to coronavirus

Kelly Tyko | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus: Grocery stores dedicate hours to at-risk shoppers Panic shopping from coronavirus has recently left store shelves empty, so some stores are setting aside time for their elderly and at-risk shoppers.

Target has a new paid leave program for employees most susceptible to the coronavirus, the retailer announced Friday.

The Minneapolis-based retailer said employees 65 and older, pregnant or with underlying medical conditions can access paid leave for up to 30 days, it said in a news release. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said these groups are most vulnerable to COVID-19.

Target also announced it is temporarily raising pay by $2 an hour until at least May 2, and giving bonuses to 20,000 hourly employees who oversee individual departments in Target stores that will range from $250 to $1,500. The company said the programs and a $10 million donation to relief funds total more than $300 million.

CEO Brian Cornell said in a statement that the company continues to "experience incredible demand."

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"Families across the country are counting on Target in so many ways during this pandemic, and our team has been nothing short of remarkable," Cornell said. "The commitments we're making today will provide additional resources for our most valuable asset – our team, their families and the communities impacted by the coronavirus."

Target reduced store hours starting March 18, and all stores will close no later than 9 p.m. local time for additional cleaning and restocking. Stores also started dedicating an hour every Wednesday morning for the elderly and those with underlying health concerns to shop.

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Walmart announced Wednesday that it was adding 150,000 employees to meet the demand and also offering current employees bonuses.

Retailers, including Amazon and Kroger, have also been ramping up hiring for positions ranging from the warehouse to the checkout counter, as delivery and service workers increasingly become indispensable to Americans largely confined to their homes because of concerns about the coronavirus.

Convenience store chain 7-Eleven announced Friday it is adding up to 20,000 jobs to meet increased demand during the pandemic.

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