The distributor Auchan will pay a bonus of 1,000 euros to 65,000 French employees "to salute their exceptional commitment to the health crisis" of the coronavirus, the group announced in a statement on Sunday.
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Employee "flawless commitment"
"All employees of stores, warehouses, drives, home delivery services and e-commerce site" will be paid this lump sum, said the company, adding that it would be remitted "as suggested by Minister of Economy Bruno Le Maire, (...) as part of the company's profit-sharing agreement ". The "unfailing commitment" of employees "has kept all stores, drives and delivery services open," welcomed the group.
To ensure the safety and health of teams and customers, "protective measures are already in place in all of our stores," said Edgard Bonte, president of Auchan Retail, quoted in the text. . He listed the respect for barrier gestures, the protection of the crates with Plexiglas, the provision of hydroalcoholic gel, masks and gloves as well as the organization of store hours.
Simplified government agreements
Bruno Le Maire had called on Friday companies to pay a tax-free bonus to their employees, especially those who "had the courage to go to their place of work" in the context of the epidemic of new coronavirus. This bonus possibility, created following the crisis of "yellow vests" in the winter of 2018-2019, was renewed in 2020 but only for companies that have concluded a profit-sharing agreement with their employees. Signing this type of agreement has been simplified to encourage SMEs.