Chipotle Mexican Grill is boosting hourly pay by 10% for the next couple of weeks, joining other chains in offering enhanced benefits for employees during the coronavirus crisis.
The “assistance pay,” retroactively effective from March 16 through April 12, is a way of “expressing our appreciation for those who are willing and able to continue working during this time,” Chipotle wrote in an email to customers late Wednesday.
In addition, Chipotle has expanded emergency-leave benefits for those affected by COVID-19, allowing them to continue to receive their regular pay if they’re unable to work due to the illness.
Further, the chain is not enforcing the hourly work requirements for employees enrolled in Chipotle’s debt-free degree or tuition reimbursement programs.
Earlier this month, McDonald’s vowed to continue to pay hourly workers who were quarantined over coronavirus concerns. Starbucks said this week it would pay employees an additional $3 an hour through April 19, in addition to paying them catastrophe pay even when they can’t come in for their shifts.