Whole Foods CEO John Mackey sparked some ire with a suggestion about employees "donating" paid time off to one another amidst the coronavirus outbreak, Vice's Motherboard first reported.

Whole Foods has for years allowed workers to "donate" PTO to colleagues who are dealing with a family death or a prolonged sickness.

"Amazon is matching all funds to the Whole Foods Fund since the acquisition to support the team needs during this unprecedented event, and all Whole Foods team members have access to the 2-weeks paid time off related to coronavirus that was announced for all Amazon employees," an Amazon spokesperson said in a statement to Business Insider.

Many other retailers have had to alter personnel policies, including time-off rules, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Whole Foods CEO John Mackey reportedly sparked some ire by suggesting that employees "donate" their paid time off to coworkers sick with the coronavirus.

Vice's Motherboard reported that Mackey sent out an email to store-level workers on Wednesday, outlining company protocols and benefits amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. His memo included a note highlighting the grocery company's longstanding policy of allowing employees to "donate" PTO to sick or grieving coworkers "across the country."

"This is a longstanding Whole Foods Market program from prior to the acquisition," an Amazon spokesperson said in a statement to Business Insider. "Amazon is matching all funds to the Whole Foods Fund since the acquisition to support the team needs during this unprecedented event, and all Whole Foods team members have access to the 2-weeks paid time off related to coronavirus that was announced for all Amazon employees."

But Mackey's comments sparked controversy among some Whole Foods employees who spoke with Motherboard, including an anonymous cashier who said it was "selfish asking the retail workers to figure it out within themselves."

Whole Foods will also be giving employees unlimited unpaid time off until the end of March, mirroring policies already enacted by other retailers. Amid the coronavirus outbreak, plenty of retail giants have overhauled their leave policies, including Walmart, Darden Restaurants, and Starbucks.

Any Whole Foods worker who contracts COVID-19 will also get two weeks paid time off, Motherboard reported.

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