While fashion and boutique retailers are closing and laying off workers due to the coronavirus, some retailers who are staying open are rewarding their workers still on the job with extra pay, at least temporarily.
Dollar Tree Inc., which operates Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores, announced Wednesday it is giving its workers an extra $2 an hour, effective March 8 through April 4. The raises total about $30 million across the nationwide chain.
In the Chattanooga area, Elder's Ace Hardware is temporarily boosting hourly pay for most workers at its 22 hardware stores by an extra dollar an hour. Similar raises were announced last week by Food City, Walmart and Starbucks, among others.
"In recent weeks, our store and distribution teams have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to their communities by continuing to serve local customers with essential products in their time of need," said Betty Click, chief human resources officer for Dollar Tree.
AT&T also announced this week that effective Wednesday and until further notice, it is paying a 20% bonus above the regular hourly base rate of pay to its union employees – whether they are working from home or at their regular job location.