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10 companies giving back during the coronavirus crisis

How business is showing its compassionate side in the battle against COVID-19.

10 Examples of Companies Helping Out During the Corona Virus Pandemic

Almost everyone’s lives have been drastically affected by the Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic sweeping planet. When the pressure is on, and governments and infrastructures are overloaded to breaking point, never has the need been greater for big business to step up to the plate and take actions that will better the lives of their employees, customers and the community at large, until this difficult time passes. Several companies are stepping up to do what they can to flatten the curve, from enabling employees to work from home to implementing paid sick leave for the first time. We are pleased to highlight 10 companies taking unilateral action to help out during this period of uncertainty and upheaval. Click on highlighted link by each photo for more details.

Microsoft said they will continue to pay all vendor hourly service providers their regular pay during this period of reduced service needs. This is independent of whether their full services are needed. In Puget Sound for example, the 4,500 hourly employees who work in their facilities will continue to receive their regular wages even if their work hours are reduced.
1. Microsoft announce they will keep paying the hourly workers who support their campus. Microsoft said they will continue to pay all vendor hourly service providers their regular pay during this period of reduced service needs. This is independent of whether their full services are needed. In Puget Sound for example, the 4,500 hourly employees who work in their facilities will continue to receive their regular wages even if their work hours are reduced. Source: MatthewManuel/Forbes
Alongside establishing a COVID-19 fund that enables all temporary staff and vendors, globally, to take paid sick leave if they have potential symptoms of COVID-19, or can’t come into work because they’re quarantined, Google has also made their video conferencing service, Hangouts Meet, available for all G-suite customers until July 1, 2020. Hangouts Meet allows for up to 250 participants and live steaming to up to 100,000 viewers per domain. You can also record and save meetings.
2. Google global sick leave fund and Hangouts Meet: Alongside establishing a COVID-19 fund that enables all temporary staff and vendors, globally, to take paid sick leave if they have potential symptoms of COVID-19, or can’t come into work because they’re quarantined, Google has also made their video conferencing service, Hangouts Meet, available for all G-suite customers until July 1, 2020. Hangouts Meet allows for up to 250 participants and live steaming to up to 100,000 viewers per domain. You can also record and save meetings. Source: MitchellLuo/benzinga.com
Courses that provide tips on how to stay productive, build relationships when you’re not face-to-face, use virtual meeting tools and balance family and work dynamics in a healthy way. The company is also using its powerful platform to share news more broadly, help businesses use live video to replace onsite events, and deal with business continuity.
3. LinkedIn is opening up 16 of its learning courses for free. Courses that provide tips on how to stay productive, build relationships when you’re not face-to-face, use virtual meeting tools and balance family and work dynamics in a healthy way. The company is also using its powerful platform to share news more broadly, help businesses use live video to replace onsite events, and deal with business continuity. Source: GregBulla/Forbes
Furthermore, Amazon just announced that it will offer unlimited paid sick leave over the next month, but only for those who test positive for COVID-19.
4. Amazon is hiring 100,000 more workers and giving raises to current staff to deal with coronavirus demands. Furthermore, Amazon just announced that it will offer unlimited paid sick leave over the next month, but only for those who test positive for COVID-19. Source: ChristainWiediger/CNBC
Andrés announced this week he will transform eight of his New York and Washington, DC, restaurants into community kitchens for those struggling during the pandemic. To-go only meals at those locations cost $7 for guests who can afford it, and that price is flexible for others who may be out of work or constrained.
5. Chef José Andrés of LA set up shop in California earlier this month to feed cruise ship guests quarantined from the outbreak Andrés announced this week he will transform eight of his New York and Washington, DC, restaurants into community kitchens for those struggling during the pandemic. To-go only meals at those locations cost $7 for guests who can afford it, and that price is flexible for others who may be out of work or constrained. Source: Time
In partnership with Lyra Health, Starbucks is offering its partners personalised, confidential mental health care, 20 free in-person or video sessions every year for partners and each of their eligible family members, online scheduling with most providers available within two weeks, and access to a provider network of mental health therapists and coaches.
6. Starbucks extends mental health benefits In partnership with Lyra Health, Starbucks is offering its partners personalised, confidential mental health care, 20 free in-person or video sessions every year for partners and each of their eligible family members, online scheduling with most providers available within two weeks, and access to a provider network of mental health therapists and coaches. Source: Starbucks
Employees who are diagnosed with COVID-19 or placed in quarantine will receive up to two weeks of pay. If they’re not able to return to work after that time, additional pay replacement may be provided for up to 26 weeks for both full-time and part-time hourly associates,
7. Walmart has deployed an Emergency Leave program, which provides time off for employees depending on various coronavirus threat levels. Employees who are diagnosed with COVID-19 or placed in quarantine will receive up to two weeks of pay. If they’re not able to return to work after that time, additional pay replacement may be provided for up to 26 weeks for both full-time and part-time hourly associates, Source: FabioBracht/CNBC
They have promised to continue paying their employees during the closure, and will give refunds to all those who had planned on visiting.
8. Disney has closed its parks and cruises in response to coronavirus They have promised to continue paying their employees during the closure, and will give refunds to all those who had planned on visiting. Source: PatríciaFerreira/NewYorkTimes
U-Haul has announced 30 days of free self-storage to all college students who have been impacted by schedule changes at their universities. With the international option, items can be shipped anywhere across the globe. Students also may opt to have Collegeboxes hold their personal belongings in secure storage at a nearby U-Haul facility. The 30 days free self-storage offer also applies to usage of U-Box® portable moving and storage containers. With 257 cubic feet of space and one-ton capacity, U-Box containers can be filled at U-Haul facilities and stored in their secure warehouses.
9. U-Haul 30-day free self-storage for college students U-Haul has announced 30 days of free self-storage to all college students who have been impacted by schedule changes at their universities. With the international option, items can be shipped anywhere across the globe. Students also may opt to have Collegeboxes hold their personal belongings in secure storage at a nearby U-Haul facility. The 30 days free self-storage offer also applies to usage of U-Box® portable moving and storage containers. With 257 cubic feet of space and one-ton capacity, U-Box containers can be filled at U-Haul facilities and stored in their secure warehouses. Source: U-Haul
This week, Bacardi Limited diverted additional factories in the United States, Mexico, France, England, Italy, and Scotland to produce and distribute the critical sanitising gel. The company has deployed the global production facilities of its Bacardi, Martini, Grey Goose, Bombay Sapphire, Dewar’s, and Angel’s Envy brands to produce more than 267,000 gallons (1.1 million litres) of hand sanitisers worldwide.
10. Bacardi to produce over 1 million litres of hand-sanitisers This week, Bacardi Limited diverted additional factories in the United States, Mexico, France, England, Italy, and Scotland to produce and distribute the critical sanitising gel. The company has deployed the global production facilities of its Bacardi, Martini, Grey Goose, Bombay Sapphire, Dewar’s, and Angel’s Envy brands to produce more than 267,000 gallons (1.1 million litres) of hand sanitisers worldwide. Source: AndersNord/Moodiedavittreport.com

When Capitalism Meets Coronavirus: How Companies Are Responding

For a list of how different companies big and small are dealing with the crisis, including; paid sick leave policies, work from home policies, just leadership, and operational impacts, check out Capitalism Meets Coronavirus: How Companies Are Responding — by Just Capital

Over the coming weeks, Just Capital will be tracking the corporate response to the coronavirus, highlighting examples of just business behaviour as corporate America grapples with how to support their stakeholders – in particular their workers, customers, and communities in which they operate.

How is your company dealing with the crisis?

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