As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to spread across the United States, CenturyLink has developed an immediate and aggressive approach to ensure the safety, financial health and well-being of its employees, the company reported on Monday.
"We've taken aggressive steps to expand our employee benefit programs and are working closely with businesses and governments around the world to ensure they have the network capacity, connectivity, and security to meet their urgent and, often, unique challenges. I am incredibly proud of the CenturyLink team. Their unwavering commitment to deliver for our customers is second to none," said CenturyLink CEO Jeff Storey.
As a result of the pandemic, CenturyLink is providing immediate relief and protection for its employees. The company has adapted work from home (WFH). Approximately 75 percent of CenturyLink's global employee population, outside of some of its critical field and customer-facing positions, are working from home.
Additionally, the company has provided voluntarily 80 hours of emergency paid time off (PTO). CenturyLink will provide up to 80 hours of emergency, excused, PTO to all U.S. employees over the next 60 days, in addition to its current allotments of paid time off, sick leave or other company-provided paid and unpaid leave.
The allotment expands on the recently enacted "Families First Coronavirus Response Act," since it does not require larger companies like CenturyLink to comply. CenturyLink will also voluntarily provide 75 hours of emergency PTO to employees in Canada.
CenturyLink will also extend short-term disability benefits to new employees, effective immediately. The company will waive its one-year waiting requirement for all current U.S.-based employees.
Now, all U.S. employees are provided with short-term disability coverage. CenturyLink will also offer employees up to six months of short-term disability. Following six months, employees qualify for long-term disability.
Finally, the company has provided technicians with disinfectant supplies and has changed the way the company operates to "create distance." CenturyLink’s technicians know they have the flexibility to stay home if they are not feeling well.
"These are certainly demanding times. The COVID-19 crisis is challenging many aspects of our society. At CenturyLink, we are challenging ourselves to implement solutions for our employees and customers to keep them safe and ease their anxiety and concerns where we can," added Storey.
About CenturyLink
CenturyLink (NYSE: CTL) is technology leader delivering hybrid networking, cloud connectivity, and security solutions to customers around the world. Through its extensive, global fiber network, CenturyLink provides secure and reliable services to meet the growing digital demands of businesses and consumers. CenturyLink strives to be the trusted connection to the networked world and is focused on delivering technology that enhances the customer experience.
