By Aaron Miller-
Amazon is planning to add 75,000 more workers in the U.S, across both full- and part-time positions.
Amazon said it is hoping to mitigate some of the job loss and furloughing that has resulted from the economic crisis that is also occurring as part of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is in addition to addition to the 100,000 warehouse and delivery workers it hired recently to deal with the demand surge. Amazon positioned its openings as an option for anyone looking to seek work “until things return to normal and their past employer is able to bring them back.”
Amazon says it will continue to bolster its investment in “safety, pay and benefits” for all new and existing employees. The online retail giant has detailed some of its efforts in this regard, including rolling out temperature checks across fulfilment centres and Whole Foods stores, as well as distributing masks to employees and conducing daily audits of these practices.
Some employees at a number of warehouses have tested positive for COVID-19, leading to demands for more safe facilities at various companies. Amazon said it expects to spend more than $500 million globally to increase wages for workers during the pandemic, up from a previous estimate of $350 million.
“We know many people have been economically impacted as jobs in areas like hospitality, restaurants and travel are lost or furloughed as part of this crisis and we welcome anyone out of work to join us at Amazon until things return to normal and their past employer is able to bring them back,” the company said in a blog post.