Billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos might be putting his money where is mouth is if he follows up on his recent pledge to hire 100,000 workers who have been laid off because of the coronavirus crisis—in addition to raising wages and improving health conditions for Amazon workers.
“At the same time, other businesses like restaurants and bars are being forced to shut their doors,’ explains Bezos in an Instagram message posted Saturday night. “We hope people who’ve been laid off will come work with us until they’re able to go back to the jobs they had… my own time and thinking is now wholly focused on COVID-19 and on how Amazon can best play its role. I want you to know Amazon will continue to do its part, and we won’t stop looking for new opportunities to help.”
Thing is, Bezos really could use the workers. Amazon orders have gone through the roof since Coronavirus hit the U.S., mainly from people buying vital household goods that were immediately wiped off local store shelves by people buying in full panic mode.
As a result of the onslaught, Amazon has had to make major changes to how they do business—purchasing, stocking priorities, transportation, logistics, all of it. The retail giant is placing a big priority on staples like toilet paper, formula, and medical supplies.
Bezos also said his company has ordered millions of surgical masks for employees. So don’t worry; if you are a laid-off worker food service employee lucky enough to get a new job at Amazon, you will also definitely be able to wear protective gear and do safe distancing at work.