Many Pennsylvanians have found themselves suddenly stuck at home due to the spreading coronavirus, in an attempt to stave off rapid infection rates. This has meant shutdowns and reduced hours for many industries even before Governor Wolf began ordering the closing of non-essential businesses.
And even with some businesses, such as restaurants, still technically open, the moratoriums on public gatherings means that those who work as servers or bartenders are likely feeling a financial impact.
Even state workforces are being affected, with Governor Wolf imposing a hiring and purchasing freeze on non-essential positions and purchases by Pennsylvania’s governmental agencies.
- READ MORE: Did Gov. Tom Wolf’s mandatory shutdown list close your business over coronavirus? Check it again. It has changed.
- READ MORE: Pa. State Police to begin enforcement of coronavirus-prompted business closures Monday
But despite the closing of all non-essential businesses in Pennsylvania, some employers are actually looking to hire more employees, even if only temporarily. The majority are in fields of the food industry or parcel delivery and distribution - vital services that have, if anything, seen an increase in recent weeks.
Here’s a look at some of the employers eager to fill positions:
CVS
Prescriptions, cough drops, cleaning products, snacks - it’s easy to see why pharmacies and convenience stores are pivotal right now. CVS has announced that the company is planning to fill 50,000 full-time, part-time and temporary positions across the nation, including in Pennsylvania. Its current employees are also going to be collecting bonuses of $150-$500 during the coronavirus pandemic.
Get more info here: CVS will pay bonuses to employees required to work during coronavirus outbreak
You can also search for jobs by area through the CVS Health website.
Amazon
Amazon announced plans to hire an additional 100,000 people across the country, and that their employees would be earning an additional $2 an hour until the end of April, bumping them up to at least $17 an hour for work in warehouses, delivery centers and Whole Foods grocery stores..
- READ MORE: Pa. workers affected by coronavirus can get faster unemployment, comp benefits, state says
Walmart
The massive retail chain Walmart is issuing COVID-19 bonuses to employees, giving out $300 to full-time employees and $150 to part-time staff. And it’s also looking to hire 150,000 nationally, with over 5,300 of those jobs coming to Pennsylvania.
You can read more about the increase in hires here: Walmart plans to hire more than 5,000 employees in Pa. because of pandemic shopping and give out bonuses
Applications at Walmart, which usually take up to two weeks, are being accelerated to a 24-hour process in order to expedite the hiring process and meet demand for new staff. You can get more info at careers.walmart.com.
Giant
The grocery store chain has announced the addition of temporary and part-time work to meet the growing demand during the state-wide shutdown, with the potential for continued or expanded employment opportunities.
Read more about Giant’s hiring expansion here: Giant hiring temp, part-time workers to meet demand from coronavirus shopping surge
An online application can be found here.
- READ MORE: Coronavirus in central Pa.: Here’s when grocery stores are open
- READ MORE: Pa. grocery stores say they will not close or run out of food amid coronavirus shopping surge
Wegmans, Weis and other grocery chains
With the rush for food, cleaning supplies and other essentials, many grocery stores are looking to expand their workforce, at least temporarily. Most chains have altered their hours in order to allow for re-stocking emptied shelves and sanitizing the store - and they need more hands to do it.
The Pennsylvania Food Merchant Association has a list of grocery stores that have announced a need for more staff, including Wegmans, Aldi, ShopRite, Giant Eagle and Weis. Click here to see the full list and find links to the companies’ hiring pages.
Keystone Human Services
Keystone Humans Services operates beyond Pennsylvania, but the offices in this state are currently hiring for work in assisting those with intellectual disabilities, autism, mental health and children and family services.
There are several dozen positions currently open in direct care/community support services, in addition to several other positions, located in several offices throughout the state. To do a search by area, visit the Keystone Human Services website.
Chewy
Florida-based pet food company is looking to hire 360 people to work at their Silver Spring Township warehouse, primarily in positions such as fulfillment and forklift operations. The jobs are full-time and come with benefits, and the company offers virtual interview options.
Details can be found at chewy.com/jobs.
Friendship Community
Friendship Community in Lititz is a Christian nonprofit group that provides support services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The group oversees 26 residential group homes and two day programs in Lancaster and Lebanon counties.
The company is looking to hire between 10 and 15 full-time team members and as many as 25 part-time employees. Details on job requirements and a link to submit applications can be found on the Friendship Community’s employment page on their website.
Instacart
Going to the grocery store is still vital, but anywhere that people gather can potentially be a vector for infection. Which is why Instacart, the grocery delivery service, is looking to add 300,000 full-service shoppers in North America, including Pennsylvania.
Like Uber or Lyft drivers, the majority of Instacart shoppers are treated as independent contractors. However, the company does employ some part-time employees, and claims it will offer sick leave to any employees who contract the coronavirus.
Read more about Instacart’s hiring plans here, or click here to visit their hiring page (the website requires registration and login info).
Ollie’s Bargain Outlets
As they sell groceries, cleaning products and other essentials, Ollie’s stores are still open for business and looking to add positions at stores in Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg and York, as well as their York distribution center.
Information can be found at the Ollie’s Bargain Outlets careers page.
Pizza Hut
Like many restaurants, Pizza Hut is still open for takeout and delivery - and as pizza restaurants frequently specialize in takeout and delivery service, they are also looking to fill some positions in Pennsylvania, among the 30,000 they are hoping to fill nationwide.
You can click here to do a search for Pizza Hut positions in our state.
Do you know of other employers who are looking to hire during this crisis? Share them with us! We will add to this story and update as we find more opportunities. Send your job listings to sadams@pennlive.com with the subject line “Now Hiring.”