During periods of national disruption, such as federal government shutdowns or public health emergencies, businesses and organizations frequently extend support to affected workers through freebies, discounts, and special services. These offers aim to provide financial relief and morale boosts to those facing furloughs, unpaid leave, or increased occupational stress. Based on available information, specific programs have targeted federal employees during government shutdowns and healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Federal Worker Support During Government Shutdowns
When the federal government experiences a partial shutdown, many employees are placed on furlough without pay. In response, local businesses in affected regions often step in to provide temporary assistance. During one of the longest government shutdowns in history, which reached its 25th day, businesses in New York City offered a variety of freebies and deals to federal workers.
New York City Area Offers
In Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) Rose Cinema provided free movie tickets to federal workers. The offer was valid for the first screening of any film each day at the cinema located at 30 Lafayette Avenue. To redeem the offer, federal workers were required to show their employee ID at the box office; the deal was not available for online purchase. The cinema's vice president of marketing and communication stated that the initiative was intended to provide a brief respite for workers during the crisis.
Massage services were also available to furloughed workers in New York City. Locations including Massage Williamsburg, Massage Greenpoint, and Massage Outpost offered complimentary 1-hour massages, valued at $120. Appointments could be scheduled via the studio websites or by phone, and a valid ID was required prior to the session. This offer was available by appointment only through January 20.
Support for Healthcare Professionals During COVID-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous companies and organizations offered freebies and discounts to healthcare workers, with a specific focus on nurses. These offers ranged from wellness products and apparel to financial and mental health support.
Wellness and Mental Health Support
Several companies provided services aimed at supporting the mental and physical well-being of healthcare personnel. Headspace offered free access to its meditation app for individuals working in public health settings; however, this deal has since ended. Similarly, Neurocore Counseling provided free telehealth counseling to medical personnel and first responders through May 1, though this offer is also no longer active.
TB12, Tom Brady’s fitness brand, offered a free virtual performance and recovery coaching session with a TB12 Body Coach to healthcare members fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the Furbo Camera company offered a free camera to allow healthcare workers to check on their pets while they were working from home, requiring interested parties to fill out a specific form.
Financial and Legal Assistance
Financial relief and planning services were also made available. Nurses House, a national fund for nurses in need, established a special grant for Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) who were diagnosed with COVID-19, caring for a family member with COVID-19, or under employer-mandated quarantine. This grant was open to U.S. nurses with a valid license through July 31, 2020.
Trust & Will, an online service providing legal forms, offered a free individual or couple’s will (valued at up to $129) to frontline healthcare workers. Interested workers were directed to follow specific instructions on the company's link to receive a special code.
Retail and Apparel Discounts
A variety of retailers offered discounts on products for healthcare workers:
- Dagne Dover: Offered a 20% discount to healthcare workers, military members, and teachers. A form on their webpage was required to receive the discount code.
- Danform Shoes: Provided a 20% discount off footwear to healthcare professionals, including nurses, doctors, and medical workers, for online sales only. The promo code SUPERHERO20 was used at checkout.
- Dollar General: Previously offered a 10% discount on qualifying purchases to medical personnel, first responders, and activated National Guardsmen. This deal required the presentation of an employer badge or ID but has since ended.
- Eagle Creek: Offered a 50% discount on bags and gear to U.S. healthcare workers, first responders, and military members. Verification of status was required via their website.
- Emma Mattress: Previously offered an additional 10% off any order to healthcare workers via email verification. This deal has ended.
- ENELL: Apparel company ENELL previously offered 50% off bras for healthcare workers, first responders, and teachers. This offer ended on May 30.
- Clove: Offered free compression socks with every shoe purchase. Customers had to add socks to their cart and use the code WITHLOVE.
- Tieks: Previously offered a $100 gift card to frontline healthcare workers, first responders, and military service members. Verification was required to receive a unique code. This deal ended on July 15.
- Universal Standard: Offered a free piece of clothing from their Foundation line (soft tees, bodysuits, and tanks) to nurses, doctors, and medical workers while supplies lasted. Interested parties were asked to email a photo of their credential. This offer limit has been reached.
- Verima: Offered a free bottle of Verima CBD lotion to nurses and healthcare professionals. Registration and getting in line on their website at 12pm ET was required. This offer limit has been reached.
Service-Based Support
Service-based support included assistance with household chores and vehicle maintenance. Tide offered free laundry services and dry cleaning to the families (defined as next of kin or same household/address) of frontline responders, including nurses, doctors, paramedics, hospital/medical staff, medical researchers, police officers, and firefighters. This offer was valid in participating cities through June 28.
Conclusion
During significant national events such as government shutdowns and public health crises, businesses often mobilize to support affected populations. For federal workers, offers have included entertainment and wellness services, such as free movie tickets and massages. For healthcare professionals, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, support has been extensive, covering mental health apps, financial grants, legal services, retail discounts, and household assistance. While many of these specific time-limited offers have ended or reached their limits, they demonstrate a pattern of corporate and community support available during times of need.