Major Retail Chain Thanking Frontline Workers With Big Bonus

There is no doubt, frontline workers have shown amazing strength, determination, bravery and tenacity during the past 12 months. They have been the the wheels that have kept this nation moving along when a pandemic and barrage of other unbelievable events threatened our health, or economy and in some cases our way of life.

Folks in the medical field and EMS have aimed to keep us healthy and help us heal. Folks in the transportation industry have helped to keep the flow of supplies moving back and forth to where they need to go. Educators have helped to keep kids learning, in person and remotely.

Other essential workers, like store clerks and the people who keep the shelves stocked, have been busting their tails, amid all the risks, ridicule and ridiculousness, to make sure we can get what we need. Because in spite of all the horrible things going on in the world, the world keeps turning; people need things like diapers, milk, dog food and wine.

That's why my heart felt happy this week, when I heard the news that one retail giant was going out of it's way to reward it's employees, these hardworking men and women, for all of their efforts and for the important role they have played during not only the pandemic...but the holidays during a pandemic!

In a press release put out earlier in the week, Target announced it was putting it's money where it's mouth was, and is thanking it's frontline workers with a big bonus.

"To show our gratitude as we wrap a year unlike any other, Target is giving $500 bonuses to all hourly team members in stores, distribution centers and our headquarters and field-based offices. In addition, all Store Directors, Executive Team Leaders and salaried Distribution Center leaders (12,000 in total) will receive a bonus ranging from $1,000-$2,000. This is the fifth time Target recognized team members with bonuses for going above and beyond during the pandemic, and that’s on top of our move to a $15 industry-leading starting wage for U.S-based team members, paid leaves, coronavirus benefits and a donation to the Target Team Member Giving Fund."

Target says that as a company, it has upped it's investment in team member's health, safety and well-being by $1-billion dollars in the last year. And employees who benefitted from the bonuses all agreed it couldn't have come at a better time.

Target has over 1,800 stores across the U.S. with half a dozen stores located in Maine.