- Walmart recently announced it is hiring over 150,000 hourly workers in the U.S. through the end of May
Walmart recently announced it is hiring over 150,000 hourly workers in the U.S. through the end of May due to a jump in shoppers during the COVID019 (coronavirus) pandemic. And Walmart is also planning to pay a special cash bonus to its employees.
This bonus is for all U.S. hourly associates in stores, clubs, supply, chain, and offices. And the bonus will be $300 for full-time hourly associates and $150 for part-time hourly associates. This adds up to more than $365 million. Every hourly associate employed by the company as of March 1 will qualify and Walmart will pay it out on April 2.
Along with the special bonus for hourly associates, the company will accelerate the next scheduled quarterly bonus for store, club, and supply chain associates a month early. And when it pays out in late April, it will help provide more cash in hand for associates sooner.
Walmart will pay those bonuses as if the company achieved its first-quarter plan. And at the regularly scheduled time for bonus payout in May, that amount may increase for associates based on performance. But in no case will an eligible associate receive less than the first quarter plan bonus payment. This early payout will add up to $180 million.
In total, this amounts to nearly $550 million going into associates’ pockets, which will come in handy during the economic downtown. Amazon is seeing similar activity as the online retailer is ramping up to hire 100,000 warehouse and delivery workers in the U.S.
“Walmart associates have gone above and beyond the call of duty in serving our customers during these unprecedented times,” said Doug McMillon, President and CEO of Walmart. “We want to reward our associates for their hard work and recognize them for the work that is in front of us.”
The 150,000 workers will be assigned temporary jobs at first, but many of them will be converted to permanent roles over time.
“We know millions of Americans who are usually employed at this time are temporarily out of work, and at the same time we’re currently seeing strong demand in our stores,” added McMillon. “We’re looking for people who see Walmart as a chance to earn some extra money and perform a vital service to their community.”
During a call with the media, Walmart executive vice president of corporate affairs Dan Bartlett explained that the bonuses are intended to provide workers with “some extra cash” while many Americans are worried about where their next paycheck will come from.
And Bartlett acknowledged that the company’s workers are “doing Herculean work” serving customers in a “tense environment.” Bartlett previously worked in various roles under President George W. Bush between 2001 and 2007.
“I was in the White House during the 9/11 days,” noted Bartlett on the call with the media via Business Insider. “The pace and complexity of issues are on par.”
Other COVID-19 Measures
Between March 24 through April 28, Walmart is hosting hour-long senior shopping events every Tuesday for customers who are 60 and older. This is an hour before stores open to everyone else. Plus Walmart stores also placed limits on paper products, milk, eggs, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, water, diapers, wipes, formula, and baby food.
This was announced by Dacona Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Walmart U.S. in a company blog post.
And Walmart also is temporarily shutting down its Auto Care Centers to focus on critical areas of the store. The auto center employees have been assigned to stocking and cleaning instead.
Earlier this month, Walmart also introduced reduced hours at 24-hour stores across the country to 6 AM-11 PM.
