WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Hy-Vee Inc. said Wednesday it is giving all the workers in its stores a 10% “front line employee appreciation bonus” for the hours they work from March 16 to April 12.

Hy-Vee said the bonuses represent a $10 million commitment to employees and will be paid out on April 17. The company is also offering new benefits to its more than 80,000 employees in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

“Our employees are our most valuable asset, and we must do everything we can to support them and their families during this critical time,” said Randy Edeker, Hy-Vee’s chairman of the board, CEO and president.  “We hope these new benefits will help lighten the load for our employees who are working around-the-clock to serve our customers in our stores.”

Hy-Vee is also offering job protective leave for employees who either test positive for COVID-19 and/or are required by health officials to self-quarantine. This benefit will provide job protection for a minimum of two weeks and applies to all employees, no matter their length of service. Additionally, under this benefit, full-time Hy-Vee employees enrolled in short-term disability will also receive a minimum of two weeks paid time off.

A second benefit offers employees affordable access to telehealth services, including mental health. Hy-Vee is waiving co-pays for all full-time employees and their dependents who utilize the 24-hour virtual medical service and is allowing part-time employees to use the service for a minimal fee per visit.