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Amazon on Wednesday beefed up paid leave for workers quarantined due to
the novel coronavirus or diagnosed with the COVID-19 illness.
The company also announced the creation of an Amazon Relief Fund —
starting at $25 million — to serve as a pool of grant money for
independent delivery drivers, seasonal employees and others losing
paychecks due to the pandemic, according to the global internet
retailer.
“Effective immediately, all Amazon employees diagnosed with COVID-19 or
placed into quarantine will receive up to two weeks of pay,” the firm
said in an online post.
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“This additional pay while away from work is to ensure employees have
the time they need to return to good health without the worry of lost
pay.”
Amazon is already providing unlimited unpaid time off for all hourly
employees through the end of this month.
The firm is based in Seattle, Washington, the state which has emerged as
the US epicentre of the virus with 24 deaths there so far.
Amazon partners and seasonal workers will be able to apply for relief
fund grants to cover two-weeks’ pay “if diagnosed with COVID-19 or
placed into quarantine by the government or Amazon,” according to the
company.
“Additionally, this fund will support our employees and contractors
around the world who face financial hardships from other qualifying
events, such as a natural disaster, federally declared emergency, or
unforeseen personal hardship.
Amazon has almost 800,000 full-time employees worldwide.
The company confirmed last week that one of its Seattle employees had
been quarantined after testing positive for the new coronavirus.
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