A baking company has announced employee incentive compensation.
According to a business announcement on April 9, Flowers Foods, Inc. has given out over $5.6 million in “appreciation bonuses” to 11,757 eligible hourly and nonexempt employees, as well as leased labor and contract workers.
According to Flowers, the bonus is an acknowledgement of the employees’ increased productivity during the COVID-19 outbreak. With 9,700 workers, Flowers is the second-largest baking company in the country. Flowers notably mentioned the “non-stop” operations at its 46 baking plants in relation to the bonuses, which are $250 for part-time workers and $500 for full-time employees..
The bonuses are in addition to Flowers’ annual bonus program and any overtime pay earned by the employees.
Flowers also said it has implemented emergency COVID-19 leave and short-term disability policies.
“I could not be prouder of our team and this special bonus recognizes all those who are literally on the front line — in baking, engineering, and shipping, those who handle sanitation and distribution, and those who provide other vital support,” said A. Ryals McMullian, president and chief executive officer. “We take our responsibility to help feed America to heart, and Flowers team members are showing that every day with passion and courage. On behalf of our company and the board, I thank them for their hard work and commitment, especially during this time of uncertainty.”
Flowers went on to outline a number of “proactive steps” the business claimed it had taken to ensure the security of both its workers and independent distributors:
Improving regular cleaning and sanitation of regularly touched surfaces and spaces in bakeries, warehouses, offices, and resale shops;
“limited access to bakeries, warehouses, and offices for non-essential, non-business-critical guests;
“Required self-screening and reporting at other locations, as well as daily wellness screening of team members at all bakeries;
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“Abolition of all unnecessary business trips and participation at meetings;
“Remote work implementation for team members in business offices.”
The driver salespeople, who work as independent contractors, were praised by Mr. McMullian for their efforts to “enhance the wellness and safety practices of their businesses.”
“We’ve seen a huge spike in food demand during this historically unusual time,” he declared. “We value the assistance our distributor partners provide in ensuring that the market is supplied with fresh baked goods.”
The bonuses were revealed barely two days after the biggest baking company in the US, Bimbo Bakeries USA, revealed that two employees at one of its Pennsylvania-based plants had tested positive for COVID-19.
Mr. McMullian stated, “We have a number of contingency plans in place should they be necessary. Our supply chain is strong.” “We are sure that as the pandemic progresses, we will keep giving our clients and consumers the bakery goods they require.”