Instacart aims to hire another 250,000, unveils coronavirus safety test for workers

Grocery delivery service Instacart is rolling out a number of new benefits and safety measures for workers as it prepares to hire another 250,000 “full-service shoppers.”

“As the COVID-19 situation evolves, we remain committed to the health and safety of the shopper community,” Instacart said in a blog post Thursday. “Each shopper who is out picking and delivering for customers is doing a valuable service for the millions of families who are relying on us more than ever.”

Instacart has grown rapidly during the coronavirus outbreak. While millions have been laid off or furloughed, the company is on a hiring spree, having announced plans to hire 300,000 just a month ago.

“We quickly met that goal, and are now planning to bring on an additional 250,000 full-service shoppers in an effort to get back to same-day delivery across our platform,” the post said, adding that this latest round of hires is responding to demand in a few specific markets, “including regions in California, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C. and Toronto.”

But workers have criticized the company, alleging that it has done too little to protect its full-service shoppers from the coronavirus as they deliver orders to people’s doorsteps.

Workers organized a nationwide strike in March, seeking better compensation, sick pay, hazard pay, and disinfectant supplies, Wired reported.

The company said Thursday it is extending its sick-pay policy — which compensates workers for up to 14 days if they catch coronavirus — making it available “for the duration of the COVID-19” crisis.

Instacart also announced a new “In-app Wellness Check,” a daily checklist workers must complete to determine if they have contracted coronavirus.

“If you have no symptoms, you can start shopping as usual. If you indicate you aren’t feeling well, you will be directed to contact your healthcare provider and refrain from shopping until you feel better,” the post said.

Should a worker fail the daily test, they’ll be temporarily deactivated on the app and told to get medical help, an Instacart spokeswoman told CNET.

“This is another way we’re ensuring the health of the shopper community is first and foremost, and helping keep the entire Instacart community safe during this time.”

Additionally, Instacart is trying to make it easier for workers to get their hands on company issued “safety kits,” which include face masks, hand sanitizer and a thermometer, according to the company.

The kits were announced April 2, but for at least two weeks after, workers were still waiting on theirs to arrive, according to Wired. On top of that, workers said placing an order was a challenge in itself, calling the process “dizzying.”

Instacart said they’d streamlined the process in their Thursday announcement.

This story was originally published April 23, 2020 at 5:37 PM with the headline "Instacart aims to hire another 250,000, unveils coronavirus safety test for workers."