Albertsons hiring focuses on furloughed workers

Many retailers are looking to hire additional staff to help stock and keep stores sanitized, and Albertsons is no different, aiming to add 30,000 new associates. To that end, the retailer forged a partnership with 17 companies to provide part-time jobs to partners' employees who have been furloughed or had their employment hours cut back. 

Of the 17 companies so far, Albertsons has teamed with ASM Global, BJ’s Restaurants, G6 Hospitality, Hilton, Inspire Brands, Marriott International, MGM Resorts and Regal Cinemas.

Partnering companies are sharing application links dedicated solely to the company and partnership.

“The most valuable asset and the core of any business is people, and we are working hard with many human resource teams across a variety of businesses who are actively defining next steps for their employees,” said Vivek Sankaran, president and CEO of Albertsons. “So many businesses in the hospitality and retail sectors are scaling back hours or temporarily closing as their customers remain home and adhere to shelter-in-place orders. We are grateful to be a resource to help fill a critical need in our own business and take care of people who want to continue working during this time of national emergency.”

The partnership with other businesses is just another move that the retailer is making to confront the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, the retailer announced that social distancing protocols have been put in place in all of its more than 2,300 stores, following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Designated waiting points have been marked to keep customers at least 6 ft. apart at checkout and waiting stations like the deli and pharmacy.

"We have seen our customers begin to implement social distancing on their own with our 'two carts apart' reminders as they shop our stores, so we think our floor markers will increase awareness," said Sankaran.

The company also has installed Plexiglas at checkout to be a protective barrier between customers and cashiers. 

Albertsons waived all delivery fees for same-day and next-day deliveries for prescription services and also increased pay to all non-union and union frontline associates, awarding them a $2 per-hour increase above their regular hourly pay and overtime.