Morrisons is creating 3,500 new jobs to cope with the soaring demand of its home delivery service during the coronavirus crisis.
The supermarket giant announced today, March 17, that it would be recruiting around 2,500 pickers and drivers and 1,000 staff members to work in its distribution centres.
Under the new plans, more slots will be made available to customers and a call centre will be set up for those who don't have access to online shopping.
Bosses said the chain will "do its bit" by encouraging card payments and launching pre-packed food parcels, the Mirror Online reports.
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The retailer also set out measures to help staff, who will have access to an emergency fund that can be used to help cover payments during periods of sickness.
Colleagues will be able to apply for financial help if they experience a setback and are struggling to make ends meet.
Those who are sick with the Coronavirus will also receive sick pay whether or not they would normally be eligible.
Colleagues who are affected either because of self isolation, or by playing their part in looking after close family members or the vulnerable in their local community, will also be eligible for sick pay, alternative shifts or holiday.
To protect both staff and the public, it said customers will now be asked to pay by card or smartphone to reduce cash handling.
To help manage a rise in online orders, the grocer said it will launch a new range of simple-to-order food parcels, including options for vegetarians, from March 23.
In the coming weeks, a further 100 stores will also be used to gather online orders to ensure customers get the products they need.
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And, coinciding with the Prime Minister's calls for the vulnerable to self-isolate for up to four months, the grocer has launched a customer call centre for orders to be taken over the phone so that people who do not shop online can still order food.
As a result, around 2,500 pickers and drivers, and 1,000 warehouse roles will be created.
The vacancies will be advertised on the Morrisons jobs website.
David Potts, at Morrisons, said: "We expect the days, weeks and months ahead to be very testing and we are determined to do our bit.
"These measures will support our very hard-working colleagues, enable us to provide more food to more people in their homes and create opportunities for people whose jobs are affected by the coronavirus."
