Recently, Walmart announced plans to increase the starting wage rate for all hourly associates in the U.S. to $11, expand maternity and parental leave benefits and provide a one-time cash bonus for eligible associates of up to $1,000. The company is also creating a new benefit to assist associates with adoption expenses. The combined wage and benefit changes will benefit the company’s more than one million U.S. hourly associates, including more than 34,700 Walmart associates in Pennsylvania.
“We are building on investments we’ve been making in associates, in their wages and skills development,” said Doug McMillon, Walmart president and CEO. “It’s our people who make the difference and we appreciate how they work hard to make every day easier for busy families.”
Associates will continue to hear more from their managers in the coming days about details. But, broadly, associates in the U.S. are receiving the following benefits:
- More than 34,000 Walmart and Sam’s Club associates in Pennsylvania will soon receive wage increases and bonuses totaling nearly $46 million.
- A one-time bonus benefiting all eligible full and part-time hourly associates in the U.S. The amount of the bonus will be based on length of service, with associates with at least 20 years qualifying for $1,000. In Pennsylvania, more than 34,700 Walmart and Sam’s Club associates are expected to be eligible for the one-time cash bonus, which is estimated to total more than $13.9 million.
- An increase in Walmart’s starting wage rate to $11 an hour, effective in the Feb. 17, 2018, pay cycle. The change is in addition to wage increases already planned for many U.S. markets in the coming fiscal year. The increase applies to all hourly associates in the U.S., including stores, Sam’s Clubs, eCommerce, logistics and Home Office. More than 20,000 Walmart and Sam’s Club associates in Pennsylvania are expected to receive a wage increase, which is estimated to total more than $32 million. Walmart’s new average hourly wage for full-time associates in Pennsylvania will be $14.07.
- An expanded parental and maternity leave policy, providing full-time hourly associates in the U.S. with 10 weeks of paid maternity leave and six weeks of paid parental leave. Salaried associates will also receive six weeks of paid parental leave.
- Walmart will provide financial assistance to associates adopting a child. The adoption benefit, available to both full-time hourly and salaried associates, will total $5,000 per child and may be used for expenses such as adoption agency fees, translation fees and legal or court costs.
“Every day, more than 53,000 Walmart associates call the Commonwealth home and choose to raise their families and build their lives here,” said PA Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr. “The company’s investment of expected tax reform dollars in the form of pay increases and expanded parental leave benefits for these workers is proof that the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act is positively impacting the lives of Pennsylvanians. This financial commitment shows that everyone does better when the free market – not government mandates – are dictating important matters like employee wages, and we are glad to see it.”
About Walmart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better - anytime and anywhere - in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. The company’s legal name will become Walmart Inc., effective on Feb. 1, 2018, to reflect its growing status as an omni-channel retailer. Each week, over 260 million customers and members visit our more than 11,600 stores under nearly 60 banners in 28 countries and eCommerce websites. With fiscal year 2017 revenue of $485.9 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.3 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at http://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180123005573/en/
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