There’s no denying that the COVID-19 pandemic has a drastic impact on the economy. Companies were forces to lay off workers, leaving 3.28 million unemployed Americans by the last week of March. Small businesses do not have enough funds to stay afloat when operations come to a halt. Due to social distancing and quarantine, people are discouraged from dining in and visiting bars, making these businesses one of the most affected industries in this pandemic.
The role of deliveries amid the pandemic
Delivery workers have become more essential than ever. In March 2020, 41.7 percent of American consumers said they are ‘likely to purchase’ food via delivery. People have also been using services like Amazon, Door Dash, Uber Eats, etc. for groceries. As unemployment rates skyrocket, these companies have hired more delivery workers.
The risks and rewards
Despite the importance of delivery workers, they are faced with several health risks. Initially, companies have told workers they would provide them with adequate protective gear. However, these workers have found themselves using their own money to purchase such supplies.
Workers are not provided with enough benefits to compensate for the high risk of exposure. Aside from the increased exposure to the virus, delivery workers have been working past the curfew, with cases where they have been arrested. One account of a delivery worker from DoorDash reported that they have received bonuses as much as $4.
It’s important to note that workers are still appealing for risk pay in the middle of a global pandemic. The virus is not the only risk they face, though. Most of the time, these delivery workers use motorcycles. Accidents in these vehicles result in 98% chances of incurring injuries, and some companies may not provide them with a motorcycle injury lawyer.
Small businesses and delivery
Because of the effects of the pandemic small businesses needed to adapt. This means that they had to move transactions online and incorporate delivery services to their offers.
Since people are spending more time on their phones, having an online presence is necessary to accommodate the needs of the consumers while the pandemic is still striking. Businesses can start by creating social media pages because they are free and can reach a large audience. These social media sites also provide spaces for advertisements that specifically target people who might be interesting in the business.
Businesses can pair this with a delivery service so that their customers can continue to support them despite the restrictions of social distancing. If you’re a small business owner, and you’re contemplating whether to have a delivery service, here are the numbers in the United States:
- 82% love ‘free delivery’ deals;
- 70% prefer a wide range of delivery options;
- 65% would wait for an hour for delivery in metropolitan areas.
As the world undergoes this completely unexpected turn of events in 2020, businesses are left to adjust in order to survive. It’s not only businesses, too, but also laid-off employees who are struggling to make ends meet. As a result, they turn to delivery work. The least business owners and corporations can do for these essential workers is give them the benefits that they deserve.