L Brands said Friday that it will be laying off most of its store associates and other workers effective April 5.

In addition, Leslie H. Wexner, the company’s founder and CEO, said the cash compensation that he and members of the company’s board receive has been suspended.

The retailer previously announced that it was closing its Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works and PINK stores in North America through Sunday because of the coronavirus outbreak. Now, it says those closings will be extended and it doesn’t know when the stores will reopen.

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Most store workers will be laid off April 5 along with those not currently working to support L Brands’ online businesses or who cannot work from home.

The furloughed employees will continue to receive health benefits. They will be eligible for unemployment benefits, and the company said it will work to bring workers back as soon as possible.

Beyond the suspension in pay for Wexner and the board, the pay for senior vice presidents and higher-ranking executives will be temporarily cut by 20%. Merit increases for other workers are being deferred.

The retailer also said it will suspend its dividend.

Instacart workers plan strike over safety concerns

Workers who shop to fill and deliver orders for online grocery service Instacart plan a nationwide strike Monday over what they say are inadequate safety measures and lack of hazard pay during the coronavirus crisis.

More than 150,000 Instacart drivers and shoppers plan to walk off their jobs until the company meets demands that include an extra $5 per order in hazard pay, expanded pay for workers affected by COVID-19, and the availability of safety supplies, including disinfectant wipes.

Earlier this week, Instacart said it plans to add 300,000 workers over the next three months to meet the burgeoning demand for grocery deliveries and pickups.

Central Ohio stores that use the service include Kroger, Meijer, Aldi, Fresh Thyme, Costco, Whole Foods, Weiland’s, Carfagna’s and Gordon Food Service.

Two Men and a Truck is hiring, offering help

Two Men and a Truck is offering its manpower, trucks and other services to assist organizations that need help during the coronavirus outbreak.

The company also said it is hiring drivers and movers, with pay up to $19 an hour for drivers and up to $15 for movers.

The company, which has been labeled an essential provider, said organizations that need assistance with deliveries should call (614) 423-4842.

To apply for work, go to http://www.twomenandatruck.com/careers.

Mortgage companies seek help, expecting missed payments

Many of the country's largest mortgage lenders are warning that they’ll soon be pushed to the brink of failure, with millions of Americans expected to miss loan payments because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts say the global outbreak is threatening to disrupt the housing market in a way not seen since the Great Recession.

If 25% of borrowers cannot make their mortgage payments because of job loss or other financial disruptions, mortgage industry officials say they could need nearly $40 billion in federal help over the next three months – and $100 billion over nine months. The industry tried but failed to secure language guaranteeing some mortgage companies access to government loans in the emergency $2.2 trillion economic rescue package that was approved by the House and signed by President Donald Trump on Friday.

The mortgage industry now has set its sights on grabbing a portion of the $454 billion in loans and loan guarantees allocated by the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve under the legislation. That pot of money is intended to help large companies remain afloat and has fewer strings attached than other portions of the package.