Walmart to pay frontline workers $428 million in third cash bonus

Walmart announced Tuesday (July 21) its third cash bonus for workers in stores, clubs, distribution centers and fulfillment centers for their work with the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Full-time hourly workers will receive $300 cash payouts while part-time and temporary workers will get $150. Drivers, managers and assistant managers in retail stores and supply chain and health and wellness will also receive bonuses for a total of $428 million.

Walmart made the announcement through an internal memo to employees from Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner.

“We’re now more than halfway through 2020, and our country continues to deal with unprecedented challenges, a new way of life, and uncertainty about the future. Throughout all of this, Walmart associates have continued to help their fellow Americans get the food, medicine, supplies, and support they’ve needed,” Furner noted.

Furner said employees have been working at an incredible pace, they’ve solved problems and they have set an amazing example for others.

Walmart said U.S. employees, excluding salaried workers in offices, employed as of July 31 will receive the bonus on Aug. 20. This is the third special bonus Walmart has given to employees in 2020, totaling $1.1 billion in bonuses so far this year. Walmart said this is in addition to the regular incentive it provides to frontline workers on a quarterly basis.

Sam’s Club workers were also recognized in the release by Club CEO Kathryn McLay, who said, “These are extraordinary times, and our associates have lifted each other up in extraordinary ways, and we are so grateful.”

Furner also said Walmart also will close stores on Thanksgiving Day as another show of support and appreciation.

“We know holiday shopping will be different this year, and we will be managing sales events differently. Kevin Carlyle is the People Lead at Store #475 in Round Rock, Texas. He recently wrote to us and suggested that we close for Thanksgiving during this unusual year, so that our associates could spend the day with their families,” Furner wrote. “Our best ideas come from our associates, and this year we have decided to close our stores on Thanksgiving Day – November 26. We know it’s been a trying year, and you’ve stepped up. We want you to enjoy the day at home with your loved ones.”

The August special bonus comes after cash incentives paid on June 25 for $368 million in total and April 2 for $368 million across the U.S. business.