Verizon announced that it’s immediately implementing a "significantly enhanced compensation plan" for the company’s employees still active in the field during the Covid-19 outbreak. These mission-critical employees are unable to work remotely as they fulfill and repair broadband orders and connection issues, maintain networks and offer products to customers in person when deemed essential.
Eligible retail employees will receive an increase in their base hourly rate when working in a corporate-owned retail location. The company’s eligible network, logistics and real estate employees, including field technicians, will receive an enhancement on top of their regular base wages. Many installation and maintenance technicians also are keeping their work vehicles at their homes to support social distancing.
More than 70 percent of Verizon’s corporate-owned retail locations are closed. As part of a massive employee transition plan, the company said it is preparing to re-train and re-deploy thousands of its retail employees to work-from-home functions. The company already has more than 100,000 employees working from home as part of the effort to continue serving customers.
The company has also agreed compensation for employees unable to work during the crisis. Verizon will give employees diagnosed with the virus 26 weeks of paid leave, while those ordered to stay at home due to increased risk or who must stay at home to care for a family member or children out of school receive eight weeks of paid leave and up to 18 weeks at 60 percent pay. Verizon is also assisting staff in arranging child care.
