The company said that it had responded to the pandemic’s economic impact by adapting its operational management, including closing down sites, lowering service frequency and cancelling or postponing some services.
It has reassigned affected workers, including 4,000 across Europe and the US who have moved into hospitals and care homes where extra staff are required.
In a statement it said: “Despite all our efforts, we know that this once-in-a-lifetime crisis currently confronting us will regrettably result in a reduction in our workforce and for this reason we have decided to establish a global Sodexo Employee Relief Programme to help on-site staff impacted by this.”
Sean Haley, region chair for Sodexo UK & Ireland added: “As we navigate the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic, our focus is on the health, safety and wellbeing of our colleagues.
“Many continue to work supporting critical sites, delivering vital services that support the national effort, and they all have our utmost respect and support for their continued commitment.
“We want to support our employees through these extraordinary times and we are clear in our commitment to this.
“The new Sodexo Employee Relief Programme will be used to do just that – support those who are most affected by the Covid-19 crisis. It is the right thing to do.”
The programme will be funded by senior executives and the company:
* Sodexo chairwoman Sophie Bellon will waive 50% of her remuneration over the coming six months
* Group chief executive Denis Machuel will waive 50% of his fixed remuneration over the next six months as well as his variable remuneration for Fiscal 2020
* Group executive committee members will give up 10% of their fixed remuneration over the coming six months as well as their annual variable remuneration
* The 200 senior executives from all segments and operations around the world will also waive their annual variable remuneration.
Bellon said: “Our teams are our most precious asset. In adversity, they demonstrate the strength of our values and their professionalism without fail.
“I want to highlight my support and express my gratitude to them during these particularly difficult times.”