The Wuhan coronavirus has forced employees across the nation to stay home. "Non-essential" businesses have had to close, and millions of people are out of work. Despite that, a handful of retail stores, grocery stores and fast food companies are hiring thousands of people to keep up with growing demand.
If you're in need of a job – whether temporary or permanent – here are a few options:
Amazon
The online retail giant Amazon is hiring 100,000 workers to keep up with the supply demand caused by the Wuhan coronavirus. Specifically, Amazon is looking for warehouse workers to fulfill online orders; shoppers to pick up groceries from Whole Foods; and delivery drivers that work through a third party company.
Both shoppers and warehouse workers will be paid $17 an hour through April. The company is offering a $2 an-hour incentive for current and future employees.
Aldi
As of now, Aldi discount grocery store has hired nearly 7,500 new employees to help with the demand stemming from the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak. There are currently more than 4,600 job openings posted on their website.
Dollar General
The discount chain Dollar General plans to hire 50,000 new employees by the end of April. In addition, the company is offering $35 million in bonuses and incentives for current employees.
"We are proud to serve as one of America’s essential retailers, and we believe our customers are relying on us now more than ever to provide an affordable, convenient retail option,” Kathy Reardon, Dollar General’s senior vice president and chief people officer, said in a statement. “The Dollar General family continues to do its part in helping our customers and neighbors during these unprecedented times. We invite individuals looking to start or grow a career, as well as for those whose job may be temporarily impacted by COVID-19, to apply for opportunities to help further our mission of Serving Others.”
Kroger
The grocery store chain is looking to add roughly 27,000 employees across the nation. Kroger is currently in the process of testing out a pick-up only model to prevent the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus.
Albertsons
The Albertsons Company plans to hire 30,000 new employees. The company has also partnered with other businesses to provide opportunities to workers displaced by the Wuhan coronavirus.
“The most valuable asset and the core of any business is people, and we are working hard with many Human Resource teams across a variety of businesses who are actively defining next steps for their employees,” President and CEO Vivek Sankaran said in a statement. “So many businesses in the hospitality and retail sectors are scaling back hours or temporarily closing as their customers remain home and adhere to shelter-in-place orders. We are grateful to be a resource to help fill a critical need in our own business and take care of people who want to continue working during this time of national emergency.”
The grocery store chain has partnered with 17 companies. A few of them include ASM Global; BJ’s Restaurants; G6 Hospitality; Hilton; Inspire Brands; Marriott International; MGM Resorts; Regal Cinemas; and G6 Hospitality.
Publix
Publix, the grocery store chain, is planning to add thousands of new employees at stores and distribution centers in Boynton Beach, Deerfield Beach, Jacksonville, Lakeland, Miami, Orlando, and Sarasota, Florida; Lawrenceville, Georgia; and McCalla, Alabama.
CVS Pharmacy
In response to the Wuhan coronavirus pandemic, CVS Pharmacy plans to hire 50,000 full-time, part-time and temporary employees. Positions include store associates, home delivery drivers, distribution center employees and member/customer service professionals.
The company is also offering bonuses between $150 to $500 for employees, whether they're pharmacists, hourly-employees or store managers.
Current employees will also receive:
CVS Health will launch a new offering to help employees with both child and elder or adult dependent care needs. Working with the Bright Horizons network of national in-home and center-based daycare providers, employees will be able to take advantage of up to 25 fully covered days of backup care. This benefit will begin in early April for both full- and part-time employees.
Full-time CVS Health employees have always had access to paid sick leave. Effective March 22, CVS Health has made 24 hours of paid sick leave available to part-time employees for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. This paid sick leave is in addition to the 14-day paid leave the company is providing for any employee who tests positive for COVID-19 or needs to be quarantined as a result of potential exposure.
Walmart
Walmart is looking to add 150,000 employees to work in stores, distribution centers, fulfillment centers and clubs across the United States. Although the positions will be temporary, the company plans to make some of the positions permanent over time.
Positions include cashiers, stockers, delivery drivers, and the loading and unloading of trucks.
“Our supply chain associates have been so vital to Walmart’s ability to serve customers and communities during this time, and I am so proud of every one of them,” Greg Smith, Walmart’s head of supply chain, said in a statement. “We’re growing, expanding and looking for more people who want to make a difference providing for customers.”
To encourage new applicants, the retail giant is offering an incentive for referrals from current employees. If a new employee is hired because of a referral, both the current and new employee will receive a $250 bonus once the new employee completes their 90-day probation period.
Instacart
Over the next three months, Instacart plans to add 300,000 shoppers to their company. Hiring will be a priority in the highest demanding areas, including California, New York, Texas, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Jersey, Georgia and Ohio.
These are the companies hiring goals:
- California - Instacart expects to bring on 54,000 new full-service shoppers
- New York - Instacart expects to bring on 27,000 new full-service shoppers
- Texas - Instacart expects to bring on 18,000 new full-service shoppers
- Florida - Instacart expects to bring on 15,000 new full-service shoppers
- Illinois - Instacart expects to bring on 15,000 new full-service shoppers
- Pennsylvania - Instacart expects to bring on 12,000 new full-service shoppers
- Virginia - Instacart expects to bring on 12,000 new full-service shoppers
- New Jersey - Instacart expects to bring on 12,000 new full-service shoppers
- Georgia - Instacart expects to bring on 9,000 new full-service shoppers
- Ohio - Instacart expects to bring on 9,000 new full-service shoppers
Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut announced their plans to hire 30,000 permanent employees nationwide. A wide variety of positions are available, including cooks, shift leaders, restaurant managers, and virtual call center agents, the company said in a statement.
Papa Johns
The pizza company plans to immediately hire 20,000 new employees. Because more people are staying home to comply with social distancing guidelines, they're ordering more delivery and to-go orders.
According to a press release, potential candidates could interview and start the same day.