Several chicken companies this week announced bonus pay initiatives for essential frontline workers as they navigate through the COVID-19 crisis.
Sanderson Farms announced it will implement a temporary weekly attendance bonus for employees equivalent to $1.00 an hour for each hour worked. The incentive began on Monday, March 30 and will end on Friday, June 26, 2020. According to the company, employees must have perfect attendance during the week in order to earn the bonus. The attendance bonus is applicable to all hourly positions, including new hires. Sanderson Farms also recently announced additional measures the company is taking to protect the health and safety of its employees, and the quality of its products, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“By offering a weekly bonus for employees, we hope to show our appreciation for their hard work and contribution to maintaining the U.S. food supply during this critical period,” said Lampkin Butts, Sanderson Farms president and chief operating officer. “When Sanderson Farms employees come to work each day, they are supporting not only themselves and their families, but the entire nation.”
Perdue Farms is providing all hourly Associates a $1-per-hour pay raise and all Piece Rate Associates (such as Perdue Truck Drivers) a $40-per-week pay increase. These temporary increases will be in effect March 23 to May 10, 2020. The company has also fully funded their annual profit-sharing Associate Bonus Program and will pay it to eligible Associates two months early. Normally, Associates must be employed with us on the first day of our Fiscal Year (on or around April 1, 2019) to be eligible for this bonus, but we have adjusted this criterion to include applicable Associates hired prior to February 1, 2020.
“I am grateful to all members of the food supply chain, especially our dedicated Associates, who are working tirelessly to ensure the continuation of food production across the country – and globally – to keep people fed as the world grapples with and recovers from this significant challenge,” said Perdue Farms Chairman Jim Perdue.
Tyson Foods on Tuesday announced it will pay approximately $60 million in “thank you” bonuses to 116,000 frontline workers and Tyson truckers in the U.S. who support the company’s operations every day to provide food during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligible team members will receive a $500 bonus, payable during the first week of July. The bonuses are in addition to other company-announced efforts to support workers, plant communities and livestock producers during the global pandemic.
“We’re proud of how our team members have stepped up during this challenging time to make sure we continue fulfilling our critical mission of feeding people across America,” said Tyson Foods CEO Noel White.
George’s Inc. said it will give a Temporary Appreciation Bonus equal to $2 per hour for every hour worked from March 15 to April 25 to essential workers at its production facilities, truck shops, feed mills and hatcheries and key support staff who are required to work on premise.
