King Soopers to give frontline employees ‘Thank You Pay’

DENVER (KRDO) -- We've all come to be more appreciative of grocery store employees who are so essential during the coronavirus crisis. As a special acknowledgment to these employees, King Soopers and parent company Kroger announced Friday they'll be distributing additional 'Thank You Pay' checks.

Full-time associates will receive $400 and qualified part-time associates will get $200, said company officials in a release. The one-time payment will paid out in two installments on May 30 and June 18. In total, the company will pay out an additional $130 million.

“Our associates have been instrumental in feeding Coloradans while also helping to flatten the curve during the initial phases of the pandemic," said Steve Burnham, President of King Soopers, in a prepared statement. "To recognize and thank our associates for their incredible work during this historic time, we offered special pay in March, April and May."

King Soopers also announced Friday it will be extending its COVID-19 Emergency Leave guidelines to provide paid time off to its associates who are affected by the virus.