LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- UPS is offering seasonal bonuses in an effort to attract and retain new package handlers.
The logistics giant is now offering hiring-and-retention bonuses that could add up to $1,700 for newly hired package handlers at UPS's Worldport air hub. That's in addition to starting pay of $14.50 an hour.
"There's really an opportunity here to make a good amount of money," said Jim Mayer, UPS Public Relations Manager. "A lot of people are out of work, unfortunately, because of the pandemic and looking for that next step in their career. This is really the entry way into a potential career."
To qualify for the bonus program, package handlers must be hired between Oct. 1 and Dec. 20, 2020. The new employees will earn a $200 bonus after completing two weeks of work. That bonus will be paid the following week.
They can also earn a bonus of up to $100 each week through Jan. 16, 2021. The weekly bonus, which varies by shift, is banked and will be paid as a lump sum at the end of January. Employees working the Second Day Air (day) shift will earn $100 per week bonus, and employees working the Next day Air (night) shift will earn $75 per week bonus.
To qualify, employees must stay on the payroll through Jan. 16, 2021 to receive the banked bonus. They must also work all of their assigned shifts in a given week to earn that week's bonus. If all the qualifications are met, for an employee starting October 1, the bonus could total $1,700 by January 16.
The company says it plans to hire 3,600 seasonal employees in Louisville -- a fraction of the more than 100,000 it plans to hire nationally -- to manage what is expected to be a record peak holiday shopping season.
"Our volume has been up now and has been because of the pandemic. So when you lay holiday season on top of that, we are expecting a really, really busy peak season. Which is why we need the employees," Mayer said.
Although seasonal, the jobs do offer the possibility of permanent employment. The company says that over the last three years, 35 percent of people hired by UPS for seasonal package handler jobs were later hired into a permanent position. About 123,000 UPS employees -- nearly a third of the company's U.S. workforce -- started in seasonal jobs.
The company has also launched a referral program that provides a $250 referral bonus for UPS air region employees who refer package handler candidates who are later hired. Current employees can find more information on the company's internal news portal.
To apply for a position at UPS, CLICK HERE.
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