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Buehler’s to pay bonuses for employees’ COVID efforts
Ohio grocer to make second round of reward payments this week
Russell Redman
December 16, 2020
2 Min Read
Including the latest payments, Buehler's will have invested nearly $1 million in holiday bonuses and appreciation pay since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.Buehler's Fresh Foods
Buehler’s Fresh Foods plans to pay out more than $740,000 in holiday bonuses to all eligible hourly and salaried employees in recognition of their extra efforts during the coronavirus crisis.
The Wooster, Ohio-based grocer said Wednesday that the bonuses will be paid on Dec. 17. Bonus amounts weren’t disclosed, but the retailer said all seasonal, part-time and full-time workers are eligible as long as they have been actively working through the COVID-19 pandemic and employed at the company for at least 90 days.
“Considered essential workers, our employees continue to amaze and inspire as they show up every week, perform their jobs and keep food on everyone’s plate,” Dan Shanahan, president and CEO of Buehler’s Fresh Foods, said in a statement. “We are pleased to be in a position to give these holiday bonuses.”
Buehler’s noted that the bonuses mark its second round of COVID-related special pay, which the company said is designed to “provide employees with some financial relief during the pandemic.”
At the end of March, Buehler’s announced more than $250,000 in “appreciation pay” for all employees working amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The money was paid retroactively and covered the period of March 15 to April 18. At the time, Buehler’s also made a commitment to retain its 227 restaurant staff, who were reassigned to other departments in its stores as the pandemic forced temporary closures of foodservice operations.
Overall, Buehler’s operates 13 supermarkets in northeastern Ohio, including stores in Wooster (two), Medina (two), Orrville, Wadsworth, Ashland, New Philadelphia, Dover, Canton, Coshocton, Portage Lakes and Massillon. The company also operates a dozen restaurants in its stores — including Buehler’s Restaurant (eight locations), Chef’s Kitchen (one location), Towne Market Cafe (one location), chinese food (one location) and The Oven Works (one location) — plus six Scenic River in-store coffee shops. Twelve stores offer online grocery pickup service, and 11 provide home delivery, including via Buehler’s Delivery, Woosh Delivery and/or Instacart service.
