Tyson Foods announced it is doubling bonuses, increasing short-term disability coverage and implementing additional health screening measures as part of its ongoing efforts to support frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Wednesday, the company said it will offer $120 million in “thank you bonuses” for 116,000 U.S. frontline workers and truckers, up from the $60 million announced in early April, according to a company release.
The company said it will move up the first $500 bonus payment to early May. The second $500 bonus will be paid in July. Team members not able to work due to illness or childcare challenges will continue to qualify, but bonus eligibility will depend on attendance.
In addition, Tyson Foods is also increasing short-term disability coverage to 90% of normal pay until June 30, 2020, the release said, for team members who are unable to work due to illness.
“It is another way of encouraging team members to stay home when they are sick,” Tyson Foods said in the statement.
In addition to checking worker temperatures, the company plans to implement additional measures, including screening workers for additional symptoms, such as coughing and shortness of breath; designating monitors at each facility to help enforce social distancing; and requiring the use of company-provided surgical-style face coverings.
“This pandemic is ever-evolving, and the decision to make these changes reflects our desire to continuously explore new ways of supporting our team members through this crisis,” said Mary Oleksiuk, executive vice president and chief human resources officer for Tyson Foods. “The safety and well-being of our people is our top priority as we work together to fulfill our critical role of feeding people across the country.”
Tyson Foods had previously waived the waiting period for workers to qualify for short-term disability, so they are immediately paid if they get sick with COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms. As well, the company is waiving the co-pay, co-insurance and deductible for doctor visits for COVID-19 testing as well as eliminating pre-approval or preauthorization steps, waiving co-pays for the use of telemedicine through Doctor On Demand, and relaxing refill limits for 30-day prescriptions of maintenance medication.
In January, Tyson Foods formed a coronavirus task and has implemented numerous measures to protect workers. |
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By: Drovers