Even when there's not a pandemic going on in the world, working at Aldi can be exhausting.
Factor in the increased crowds that could be carrying COVID-19, and it can be downright
dangerous for workers.
The grocery chain has really stepped up in a big way, though, and announced through their
website that its employees will now be getting higher temporary pay.
With hardly a restaurant in the U.S. allowing customers to dine-in, crowds are flooding
into grocery stores, and chains can barely keep up.
While many other activities are off-limits in a time of social distancing, grocery shopping
is one of the few aspects of normal American life that has remained somewhat constant.
Unfortunately, this also means that more grocery store employees are coming down with the virus.
Not only is Aldi giving its workers a temporary increase in pay for their dedication; they're
also putting into place more procedures to keep employees and customers safe.
Aldi doesn't specify on its website exactly how much of a temporary wage increase its
workers can expect, but Syracuse.com reports a $2 wage increase through April.
At the end of the day, however, what employees earn will likely depend on the Aldi location
an employee happens to be working at.
For example, Aldi's website says that a part-time cashier in Daytona Beach, Florida can expect
to start at $13.10 an hour.
Meanwhile, a full-time store associate in Vista, California will start at a higher wage
of $15 an hour.
The grocery chain is also hiring more workers to meet the customer demand at its stores.
With more than 4,600 job openings just in the United States, there is plenty of work
at Aldi for those who need it.
As an added bonus, Aldi employees can also rest assured that they have Easter Sunday
off this year, with the temporary pay raise still waiting for them on Monday.
Aldi is by no means the only grocery store adding new blood to its workforce, either.
According to CNN, Walmart is adding as many as 150,000 new positions to keep up with the
demand amid the pandemic.
Meanwhile, in Michigan, ABC12 reports that Kroger is also hiring 2,000 more workers in
that state alone, in order to make sure shelves are stocked and registers are open when shoppers
come through their doors.
Kroger workers also get a cash bonus of $300 for full-time employees and $150 for part-time
employees.
Other companies are also putting temporary wage increases in place.
Unlike Burger King, which slashed employee wages at some locations, then later reversing
the decision after the predictable backlash, CNN reports that Albertsons, Safeway, and
Walmart will pay an hourly $2 extra to all of their workers through at least Memorial
Day.
Target has also said that it will raise its minimum wage by an additional $2 an hour.
Regardless of where they're working, grocery store employees will be, in a way, on the
front lines of the pandemic.
They've even been declared emergency workers in some states, making these pay raises well
deserved.
Aldi's pay raise applies to all of its workers, and goes hand-in-hand with other adjustments
the grocery store has made to its employee sick leave and scheduling practices in order
to keep operations running as smoothly as possible.
The company is also taking measures to help protect both employees and customers by providing
employees with gloves, and is reportedly in the process of trying to procure masks for
its workers.
"That's why I come to you.
Don't leave me hanging."
Aside from possibly not being able to find hand sanitizer or toilet paper, Aldi customers
will likely notice a few other changes on their next shopping trip.
The first store hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays are reserved for senior citizens, vulnerable
shoppers, and expectant mothers.
You may also see a plastic guard between you and the cashier at the register, and employees
will no longer scan your items and put them in a different shopping cart.
The cart you started with is the one you'll finish with.
Lastly, although Aldi has had their scandals in the past, their charitable efforts during
the pandemic deserve some recognition.
The grocer has announced that it will donate $1 million to various organizations to help
with community needs.
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