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 have announced hourly pay increases and opportunities for additional temporary hires. The employers offering pay increases and filling temporary positions include grocers and a pizza delivery chain.

Costco

Costco employees at the Pflugerville location will be seeing a bigger paycheck.

In a March 23 email to all Costco employees, CEO Craig Jelinek announced that all employees nationwide will receive a temporary $2 per hour pay increase due to coronavirus concerns.

The pay bump will apply to hours worked between March 2 and April 5, the email said.

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

Round Rock Randall’s employees will receive a temporary pay raise of $2 per hour.

Albertsons Companies, 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 Companies, 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 Round Rock, Pflugerville and Hutto 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.