GPM Investments LLC, which operates and supplies convenience stores in 23 states, has organized a hiring event to provide employment opportunities for workers in local communities who have lost an income due to the economic impact of COVID-19.
In March, the company announced that it was looking to hire up to 5,000 store employees in the wake of the COVID-19 virus. GPM has received an influx of employment applications as a result of that announcement.
“We are seeing record numbers of people filing for unemployment,” said GPM’s Senior Vice President of Human Resources Veronica Donchez. “We want the communities where we operate to know that we have a place for them and would love to have them join our team.”
Donchez said the company has received an overwhelming response to the employment opportunities and as a result, the company has organized a hiring event that will take place the week of May 11.
“We have put together a team event where we are focused on interviewing and getting new associates onboarded in a timely fashion” he said. “Our communities need us, and we will be there for them!”
“We are extending employment opportunities to those who need it in the communities in which we are doing business. Our HR and Operations teams are working closely together to extend employment opportunities as quickly and efficiently as possible,” said GPM CEO and President Arie Kotler.
The hiring event is expected to offer job opportunities to thousands of new associates, including those hit hardest by the current unemployment claims.
“We are pleased to offer our new team members incentives not offered by other retailers,” said Donchez. “We have an incentive for new team members that can be used to obtain food, fuel and other essential items.”
In addition to already paying its associates weekly, GPM has partnered with PayActiv, a technology platform that allows employees to access up to 50% of their earned pay for a nominal, flat fee via an easy-to-use website or mobile app. In response to the current environment, PayActiv will be waiving all associated fees, providing GPM’s associates quick access to their earned wages prior to their scheduled paycheck.
“We have been a successful partner with PayActiv, a company that allows our team members the freedom and flexibility to access their earned wages on their terms. This allows our associates quick access to their earnings prior to their scheduled paycheck so they can purchase much needed supplies for their households without the added processing fee” said Donchez.
“We are thrilled to build on our long-standing relationship with GPM to provide these new hires with instant access to their earned but unpaid wages on-demand between paychecks in whatever way they need it most,” said Safwan Shah, CEO and Co-Founder of PayActiv, a Public Benefit Corporation and Certified B Corp. “We also provide the financial counseling, budgeting, and savings tools that promote financial wellness for GPM employees, at a time when many are facing increased economic hardships.”
With PayActiv, associates can log into their PayActiv account and are able to see accessible earned wages, which they can then transfer to a bank account or debit card, use to pay bills online, load onto a prepaid card, or withdraw in cash.
Additionally, employees can take their financial planning to the next level with goal-based budgeting and unlimited free access to knowledgeable financial coaches. PayActiv users also qualify for special discounts at local stores and on prescriptions and have access to services like Uber, Amazon and financial literacy resources, which can be accessed through the mobile app.
“Suffice it to say, we all have been adjusting to a new normal. We are an essential business that provides much needed supplies to our communities and are able to extend employment opportunities to those that need it. Our GPM team is resilient and together, we will get through this” said Kotler.
GPM Investments LLC, together with its subsidiaries, is the largest privately-owned company in the convenience store channel of business. The company, based in Richmond, Va., currently operates or supplies fuel to over 1,400 stores in Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.
