As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, grocery store associates continue to be on the front lines. As a result of their dedication, many companies are rewarding them with pay increases, bonuses and other benefits. Bentonville, Arkansas-based Walmart is among those companies.
Walmart Chief People Officer Donna Morris recently made the following announcement:
“We’ve seen firsthand our associates’ unwavering focus to take care of customers and members while providing a vital service to communities. In this unprecedented period of time, we have made several commitments focused on our associates and wanted to provide an update on our progress.
“Recognizing the hard work ahead of our associates as COVID-19 spreads and to help provide more cash in hand for them sooner, we shared plans to accelerate the payout for our quarterly incentive, which store, club and supply chain associates received [April 30]. With this, we paid nearly $180 million in cash bonuses to hourly associates, with more to come next month on our originally scheduled quarterly bonus payout date. This is in addition to the special cash bonus for all U.S. hourly associates earlier this month, which was $300 for full-time hourly and $150 for part-time hourly, a total of more than $365 million paid to our associates.
“In addition, we’ve fulfilled our commitment to hire 200,000 associates in our stores, clubs, distribution centers and fulfillment centers, since March 19. We are humbled to be able to give an opportunity to so many Americans to work, often serving as a bridge for employment, while helping Walmart better serve customers during this time of increased demand.
“Our focus on our associates’ health and safety continues. We’re conducting health screens and daily temperature checks and providing masks and gloves to all associates. We’ve also added sneeze guards at registers, limited the number of customers in stores, installed social distancing signage and instituted sanitation protocols.
“We appreciate everything our associates are doing to serve our customers and communities. They’re truly making a difference,” Morris said.
