Planned Cos. issues 1,300 grants to help workers during COVID

Planned Cos., a Parsippany-based real estate services provider that operates in 11 states, announced on Tuesday it has issued more than 1,300 grants to support the financial needs of its employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In all, the company said it contributed $500,000 to its COVID-19 Immediate Response Program so current employees can apply for one-time $300 tax-free grant. The fund was created separately from Planned’s existing Employee Assistance and Recognition Program.

The application for the program was recently streamlined, Planned said, so grants can be processed and paid out quicker.

“The COVID-19 coronavirus emergency impacted our employees in ways that we could never have anticipated,” Robert Francis, CEO and president of Planned, said. “As an essential business, our employees are serving on the front lines of this pandemic, putting themselves at personal risk. We initiated these funds as a way to recognize their dedication and hard work, while continuing to provide valuable support to our client buildings during this unprecedented period.”

To qualify, applicants must demonstrate they have been financially affected by the coronavirus, be an active Planned employee, work an average of 30 hours a week and have been an active employee for at least six months prior to the application.

“We are incredibly thankful to our team members who worked long hours in uncertain conditions to ensure that our clients’ buildings were adequately staffed during the peak of the pandemic,” Francis said. “Our employees are our lifeblood and we felt it necessary to give back to them. In return, they rose and continue to rise to the occasion, providing their characteristic high level of quality service throughout the emergency.”

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