Wal-Mart Pays Bonuses to Hourly Store Workers
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Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) announced new initiatives on Thursday to recognize performance and service among its employees, including a bonus plan to recognize store workers who have been with the company for 20 years or more.
The company also said it awarded more than $529.8 million in bonuses to 813,759 hourly associates from its U.S. Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores on Thursday, a day it is calling Associate Celebration Day.
The world's largest retailer said it employs more than 13,400 hourly workers with 20 years or more of service.
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Store associates and assistant managers with 20 or more years of service will get an extra week of pay under the new Servant Leadership bonus plan.
Wal-Mart also said it would reward employees who provide outstanding customer service with a cash bonus. That plan will begin in mid-summer.
Union-backed groups like WakeUpWalMart.com and Wal-Mart Watch have launched grass-roots campaigns to draw attention to what they regard as poverty-level wages, inadequate health-care benefits and other issues at Wal-Mart.
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All Wal-Mart hourly full- and part-time store employees are eligible for annual "My$hare" bonuses, which are allocated based on store performance. The company said these bonuses will now be distributed quarterly, rather than annually, so that workers are rewarded more frequently.
Wal-Mart, which is based in Bentonville, Arkansas, was not available to provide additional comments about the plan on Thursday morning.