Facebook To Provide $1,000 Bonuses To Remote Workers During Coronavirus Outbreak

Facebook (FB) employees will reportedly receive $1,000 each as a bonus while they work remotely during the coronavirus outbreak. In early March, Facebook made the decision to allow its workforce to work from home until March 31 after a Seattle-based employee tested positive for COVID-19.

The notice was sent almost 45,000 full-time employees on Tuesday in an internal memo from CEO Mark Zuckerberg, The Information reported. The company said it was providing the bonuses as it looks to support its workers through the COVID-19 pandemic as they work remotely.

Facebook also employs thousands of contract workers, which at the time of writing, was unclear if they would receive bonuses as well.

The social media platform joins tech company Workday, which is providing two weeks’ pay bonuses to its employees, the news outlet said.

According to the World Health Organization, there have been nearly 185,000 confirmed cases with over 7,500 deaths worldwide. The U.S. has seen over 3,500 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 58 deaths, the agency said.

Shares of Facebook stock were up 1.72% as of 2:26 p.m. EST on Tuesday.