Tyson Foods to provide almost $60 million in bonuses for frontline workers

Tyson Foods announced it will pay approximately $60 million in “thank you” bonuses to 116,000 frontline workers and Tyson truckers in the U.S. who support the company’s operations to provide food during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eligible employees will receive a $500 bonus, payable during the first week of July. The bonuses are in addition to other company-announced efforts to support workers, plant communities and livestock producers during the global pandemic.

“We’re proud of how our team members have stepped up during this challenging time to make sure we continue fulfilling our critical mission of feeding people across America,” Tyson Foods CEO Noel White said in a statement. “Our company recently relaxed our attendance policy and we encourage our team members to stay at home if they’re exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 infection. We’re taking additional precautionary measures, such as daily temperature checks at all our facilities and daily cleaning with extra sanitizing in high traffic areas. Our team members are leading the charge to continue providing food to the nation.”

The company is restricting visitor access to its facilities and relaxed its attendance policy to reinforce the importance of staying home when sick or to meet childcare needs. It has implemented the use of temporal thermometers to check the temperature of team members before they enter company facilities and expects delivery of infrared temperature scanners following a successful trial.

The company also is offering protective face coverings for production workers who request them and is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on additional guidance on the use of personal protective equipment.

Tyson Foods said it is waiving the 5 consecutive day waiting period for short term disability benefits, so workers can receive pay while they are sick with the flu or COVID-19. Co-pays and deductibles are also being waived for doctor’s visits for COVID-19. The company also offers telemedicine with no co-pay and is relaxing refill limits for 30-day prescription of maintenance medicines.