Coronavirus concerns: Amazon increases paid sick leave for employees
The company also announced creation of a $25 million Amazon Relief Fund.
By PTI |
Reuters
Amazon has almost 800,000 full-time employees worldwide.
SAN FRANCISCO: Amazon on Wednesday beefed up paid leave for workers quarantined due to the novel coronavirus or diagnosed with the COVID-19 illness.
The company also announced creation of an Amazon Relief Fund - starting at USD 25 million - to serve as a pool of grant money for independent delivery drivers, seasonal employees and others losing paychecks due to the pandemic, according to the global internet retailer.
"Effective immediately, all Amazon employees diagnosed with COVID-19 or placed into quarantine will receive up to two-weeks of pay," the firm said in an online post.
"This additional pay while away from work is to ensure employees have the time they need to return to good health without the worry of lost pay." Amazon is already providing unlimited unpaid time off for all hourly employees through the end of this month.
The firm is based in Seattle, Washington, the state which has emerged as the US epicenter of the virus with 24 deaths there so far.
Coronavirus Gives Billionaires Jitters; Bill Gates, Jack Ma Pledge Millions
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As the spread of coronavirus continued unabated across China, claiming at last count, 490 lives, philanthropic celebrities and billionaire CEOs have helped authorities fight back. Here’s a look at the donations that have poured in.
As the spread of coronavirus continued unabated across China, claiming at last count, 490 lives, philanthropic celebrities and billionaire CEOs have helped authorities fight back. Here’s a look at th..
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The foundation started by the Microsoft co-founder and his wife committed $10 million in emergency funds and corresponding support.
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Alibaba co-founder and China’s richest man Jack Ma pledged $14.5 million to help fight the coronavirus outbreak. In addition, his Alibaba Group Holding Ltd has also offered to establish a 1 billion yuan ($145 million) fund and share its artificial intelligence expertise with researchers.
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Ma Huateng, also known as Pony Ma, the founder of Chinese tech giant Tencent that created WeChat and TikTok, donated 300 million yuan (about $42 million) to help ease the coronavirus situation in the worst-hit areas. WeChat is also working on maps that show locations of hospitals that are receiving patients in over 300 Chinese cities.
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The Kering Group, the parent company of brands like Gucci, Alexander McQueen, Ulysse Nardin among others, will donate 7.5 million yuan ($1.08 million). Pinault is the chairman of the Kering Group. The funds are to be donated to the Red Cross Foundation in Hubei, and will be used to care for medical staff and patients at hospitals.
The Kering Group, the parent company of brands like Gucci, Alexander McQueen, Ulysse Nardin among others, will donate 7.5 million yuan ($1.08 million). Pinault is the chairman of the Kering Group. Th..
Amazon partners and seasonal workers will be able to apply for relief fund grants to cover two-weeks' pay "if diagnosed with COVID-19 or placed into quarantine by the government or Amazon," according to the company.
"Additionally, this fund will support our employees and contractors around the world who face financial hardships from other qualifying events, such as a natural disaster, federally declared emergency, or unforeseen personal hardship.
Amazon has almost 800,000 full-time employees worldwide.
The company confirmed last week that one of its Seattle employees had been quarantined after testing positive for the new coronavirus.
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Keeping Your Phone Clean, And Safe, In The Time Of Coronavirus
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Holding hands, an affectionate gesture with romantic undertones, has become taboo in the time of the coronavirus. Handshakes, too, have been outlawed in the boardroom as well as stadiums - and after closing a deal, folks now pick up their phones and send each other formal emails.
Lovers in parks sit on benches, their hands skidding across smartphone screens, sending emoji-laced messages. However, exercising one’s primary tactile organs to communicate through gestures might not be as dangerous as using a mobile phone.
Holding hands, an affectionate gesture with romantic undertones, has become taboo in the time of the coronavirus. Handshakes, too, have been outlawed in the boardroom as well as stadiums - and after ..
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The World Health Organization has explained how people should wash their hands to safeguard against infection and to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. However, the benefits of smearing hands with sanitizers is an exercise in futility if people then pick up their phones and expose themselves to germs all over again.
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Phone screens are a hotbed of different types of germs. Phone hygiene, therefore, becomes an imperative to ward off contagious germs. Apple recommends using felt cloth, the type used to clean spectacles.
The iPhone 7 and upwards, which are water-resistant, can be cleaned using a cloth dabbed with soapy water, as long as the different orifices of the devices are covered. Other manufacturers do not specify water-tolerance, but most new models are partially resistant to fluids, meaning that cleaning your phone display with a wet cloth is the least you could do.
Phone screens are a hotbed of different types of germs. Phone hygiene, therefore, becomes an imperative to ward off contagious germs. Apple recommends using felt cloth, the type used to clean spectac..
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Samsung and Apple advise against using cleaning fluids as they could potentially damage fingerprint-resistant coatings on their screens. Some new phones have in-display fingerprint sensors which make the task of cleaning your phone more complex. However, this could be remedied by using a screen protector, which in turn, could be wiped clean using diluted alcohol.
The back and sides of the phone should also be cleaned thoroughly. Germs will invariably accumulate on phone screens. The best possible remedy seems to be washing one’s hands before and after touching one’s phone, especially when in public spaces or commuting to work.
Samsung and Apple advise against using cleaning fluids as they could potentially damage fingerprint-resistant coatings on their screens. Some new phones have in-display fingerprint sensors which make..
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Users given to making a lot of phone calls are advised to use headphones or Bluetooth earphones to prevent the germs on phone screens from coming in contact with their faces. Bluetooth earphones aren’t germ-proof either, but their exteriors can be cleaned with cotton swabs dipped in antiseptic fluids or isopropyl alcohol.
Be careful to not get any inside your audio device as it could damage the circuitry. Boozy headphones can make one grin from ear to ear.
Users given to making a lot of phone calls are advised to use headphones or Bluetooth earphones to prevent the germs on phone screens from coming in contact with their faces. Bluetooth earphones aren..
