Village Connect
SM Employees Get Best News From SM Group
By Rose de la Cruz
Employees who at first had been apprehensive about getting paid during the community quarantine due to COVID-19 were assured of full compensation, without being charged to their leave benefits.
In a post on Facebook, SM on March 20 assured all its employees their regular compensation as well as the extension of an Emergency Financial Assistance to its front liners—a security guard and janitor staff during the enhanced community quarantine period from March 16 to April 14. The extent of this assistance includes:
- All employees will receive their regularly scheduled salaries during the ECQ period without deductions made against their vacation and sick leaves.
- All security guards and janitorial staff will receive financial assistance of P5,000 for the period.
SM explained that “it is focused on helping these key resources so that they, in turn, can be of service to others.”
Daily since the ECQ, SM has also been undertaking measures to protect the safety and welfare of its frontline personnel with protective gear, meals and transportation whenever possible, SM said.
“In these trying times, we are in unchartered territories. Let’s be one with each other, united in the spirit of service. Let’s be mindful of our frontliners and help with their need to be alert so they can continue to do their best in working for the safety and health of our communities,” said Hans T. Sy on behalf of the Sy family.
SM continues to assess the health crisis with vigilance, enjoining its employees and the public to follow guidelines and precautions to help combat the virus.
This financial assistance is another commitment to fighting the negative effects of COVID-19.
Earlier, SM made separate announcements to waive tenant rentals nationwide as well as to support health workers as they actively fight the spread of COVID-19 with P100 million worth of protective equipment, testing kits and supplies.
SM’s generosity was lauded by SM employees in their FB posts.
