Amid coronavirus concerns and an expanding list of related restrictions, a growing number of local and national businesses are temporarily closing their doors, laying off or furloughing employees. Despite this, a handful of area employers, such as grocers and a national pizza chain, have announced hourly pay increases and opportunities for additional temporary hires.
Domino's
More than 64 Domino’s locations in the Greater Austin area are looking to hire approximately 350 new employees, according to a March 23 announcement. Available positions for the chain pizza restaurant include delivery drivers, customer service representatives, assistant managers and managers, per the news release.
“Stores across this area are continuing to provide pizza to those who are looking for a delicious, hot meal, and at times like this, staffing is critical,” said Dain Funderburg, an Austin-area Domino’s franchise owner, in the release.
At this time, Domino’s offers delivery and carryout options.
Randall’s
Randall’s employees will receive a temporary pay raise of $2 per hour.
Albertsons Cos., which owns Randall’s, announced the pay raise in a March 20 news release.
“These times are unprecedented in the grocery industry,” said Vivek Sankaran, president and CEO of Albertsons Cos., in the release. “This simple ‘thank you’ doesn’t seem like quite enough, and we hope our sincere appreciation with this program is a start.”
The temporary pay increase applies to store associates, distribution center associates and manufacturing plant associates from March 15 until at least the end of the following pay period, March 28, per the release.
H-E-B
Employees at H-E-B locations in Georgetown are temporarily earning more per hour.
In a March 13 announcement, the company said all hourly store, manufacturing, warehouse and transportation employees will receive a pay increase of $2 per hour. The pay bump will apply to hours worked between March 16 and April 12.
The announcement states the pay increase is meant “to recognize [employees’] hard work and thank them for their commitment as they help serve our customers and communities.”
The chain grocer also announced March 13 that it is seeking applicants to fill short-term job opportunities for a period of 30-60 days.
Starbucks
Employees who are able and choose to continue to come to work will be eligible for an additional $3 per-hour for shifts worked as scheduled March 21-April 19, a news release said.
Target
Target announced March 20 it is raising its pay by $2 an hour until at least May 2, a news release said. With the $2-an-hour wage increase, store and distribution center hourly full-time and part-time team members will earn $240-$480 more, on average, during this time frame.
In addition, Target is offering a new option for all team members who are 65 or older, pregnant or those with underlying medical conditions to access paid leave, the release said, adding Target’s latest investments include bonuses it is paying out to frontline team members, including, for the first time, bonuses for 20,000 hourly store team leads who manage individual departments in Target stores nationwide.
