According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , the nation’s unemployment rate saw some decline over the month of May as it dropped down to 13.3% from 14.7% in April.
However, it’s worth noting that this is still over 9% higher than May of last year and that some states are nonetheless experiencing severe unemployment rates with Nevada, Michigan, and Hawaii all seeing more than 20% of their population out of work.
It’s clear that these challenges have direct links to the COVID-19 pandemic and millions of Americans remain uncertain as to how they will make it through the coming months.
If recent developments are of any indication, however, those employed through the Texas Roadhouse restaurant chain can be assured that someone is looking out for them.
As he tells it, Texas Roadhouse CEO and founder Kent Taylor knows what it’s like to struggle in life.
As People reported , he was a single parent supporting two daughters in the early 1990s when the Texas Roadhouse was still a fledgling business. At that time, he found himself seeking both financial support and housing from his parents.
As he said, “When you’re down and out, that sticks in your head. A lot of people think when you make it later in life it leaves, but it stays in your brain. Later in life you want to give back in the same way.”
This spirit was likely what inspired him to start an emergency fund for his employees called Andy’s Outreach 18 years ago that employees contributed to as a means to help each other out in times of need.
What Taylor noticed, however, was that more employees were relying on this fund in recent times than ever before, which meant it was running low.
Although People reported that Texas Roadhouse hasn’t had to lay off any employees or cut pay thus far, it’s still no secret that business has slowed down in the wake of the pandemic.
And so, Taylor decided to give up both his base salary and bonus for the year — totaling up to $800,000 — to help his employees through this difficult time.
Not only that, but he also contributed an additional $5 million to the Andy’s Outreach fund.
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As he said , “It’s how I was raised. I did what I felt was right. This is that kind of time where you have to persist and think differently and take care of those that are with you and lift everyone’s spirits and march forward.”
And as helpful as these contributions have no doubt been, they’re also not the only way in which Taylor has been looking out for Texas Roadhouse employees.
After all, the safety of his employees is as important as their financial security. So he bought latex gloves, face masks, and eye wear for workers in each Texas Roadhouse location, which total up to nearly 600 restaurants.
Taylor’s actions have apparently inspired hundreds of letters of thanks from his employees, some of which have brought tears to his eyes.
As he said, “I’m 64 years old and I call people under 55 kids. So I have 70,000 kids, and you want to take care of them. I relate it to my own personal family and I want to take care of my family, is how I look at it.”
h/t: People