The managing director of Poundland, Berry Williams, has announced that the company will reward those working hard through the coronavirus with one week of paid holidays, besides a double staff discount.
Berry has also announced a number of other benefits for the workers.
He has committed to keeping Poundland outlets closed on New Year’s Day and Boxing Day so that staff can spend more time with friends and family.
To facilitate the staff working in the warehouses, Berry has set up shops on-site where the staff can buy essential stuff.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, 700 out of the 800 Poundland outlets across the UK have not closed down because they fall in the category of essential services that the government has allowed to operate even during the lockdown.
The new employee benefits were announced by Berry Williams in a Facebook video that was shared on April 15.
He said in the video: “Sometimes just saying thank you isn’t enough, so we’re doing a lot to support our colleagues as well.
“Whether that’s doubling the discount on all the products they can buy from us through our colleague discount scheme, providing extra holiday – all colleagues are getting an extra week’s holiday because of the service they’ve provided – an extended break to spend with their families and loved ones at Christmas.”
He added: “It really is important that we thank them for everything they’re doing – they really are the heroes of our business.”
Like all the other shops marketing essential merchandise during the lockdown, there have been numerous cases of panic buying and people trying to procure too many of some items.
To counter that, Poundland has displayed signs advising about social distancing as well as saying: “There’s no need to buy more than necessary.”
Poundland has also not compromised on the safety of its customers and staff.
Screens have been installed to minimize the chances of spreading the virus as well as practices are introduced to minimize social contact.
A tweet from Poundland said: “From today we’re starting to fit new checkout screens to help protect those working and shopping in our stores.
“Just one of the many measures we’ve put in place to help keep you safe.”
Poundland has closed 100 of its stores due to a low number of shoppers and the employees from the closed stores have been shifted to the ones working.
Any employees who couldn’t be shifted have been granted leave.
Replaced!