TORONTO — In its latest announcement, Tim Hortons has committed up to $40 million to support sick employees affected by COVID-19 through a unique agreement with its restaurant owners.
Tim Hortons restaurant owners are being asked to support employees who are affected by COVID-19 and the company will split those costs 50/50 with restaurant owners. The new arrangement was supported by the company’s franchisee advisory board.
Any Tim Hortons employees who have contracted COVID-19 or are quarantined at the specific request of the government, medical authority or restaurant owner, will be compensated for scheduled hours for up to 14 days. This will include all hourly employees at franchised and corporate-owned Tim Hortons locations. The company will also work with governments to leverage support for team members, as available.
“Tim Hortons team members are always there for our guests — and we’re there for them,” says Duncan Fulton, Chief Corporate Officer, Tim Hortons. “We don’t want any team member affected by COVID-19 coming to work sick — and we don’t want them isolated at home worrying about how to support themselves and their families.”
“It was obvious we needed to help our small-business restaurant owners with the substantial investment required to look after team members at this time. This may be unprecedented for a franchise business model, but these are unprecedented times,” adds Fulton.
Beginning March 17, all Tim Hortons restaurants have focused on drive-thru, take-out and delivery service across Canada and have closed all in-restaurant dining rooms until further notice.
