RETAILER Asda is to hire more than 5,000 people whose jobs are being impacted due to the outbreak of Covid-19.
It is working with more than 20 UK companies in industries like food services and travel to bring in colleagues in need of work.
They will be offered shifts or a temporary secondments to Asda roles – ensuring individuals remain in work and companies do not have the additional pressure of staff costs during this crisis.
Asda’s colleagues are also being urged to reach out on social media to invite friends and family whose work has been impacted by coronavirus to get in touch with their local store about job opportunities.
The firm's chief executive Roger Burnley confirmed staff will receive full pay if they need to isolate due to coronavirus while those identified as being part of a vulnerable group and who need to self-isolate will receive full pay for the full 12 weeks to protect their health.
He said: “Never in my 30 years in retail have I ever felt so keenly the role played by supermarkets in our communities. The way our colleagues are working to support the nation is incredible and I want to support them – and those closest to them who are experiencing the other end of this crisis and need work.”
It comes as Asda's parent company Walmart says it plans to hire 150,000 people in the US to meet increased demand during the coronavirus crisis and will pay out $365 million in bonuses.
