Walmart to give cash, early bonuses to hourly employees amid coronavirus outbreak

Walmart announced on Thursday that it would give its hourly employees cash bonuses amid strained working conditions because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Full-time hourly employees will receive $300 and part-time workers will get $150, Business Wire reported.

Additionally, the block store giant will move up its quarterly bonuses to late April. Associates will have the chance to earn more money at the end of May — when the quarterly bonuses are usually awarded — based on their performance. 

The two sets of bonuses add up to almost $550 million.

“Walmart associates have gone above and beyond the call of duty in serving our customers during these unprecedented times,” Doug McMillon, Walmart’s CEO and president, told the publication.

“We want to reward our associates for their hard work and recognize them for the work that is in front of us,” he added.

Walmart also announced that it would hire 150,000 new associates by the end of May.

McMillon added: “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.”

“We’re looking for people who see Walmart as a chance to earn some extra money and perform a vital service to their community,” he continued.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) signaled Thursday that Senate Republicans were finalizing the details on a third coronavirus bill. The third installation of coronavirus legislation would provide an economic stimulus to small businesses, corporations and possibly unemployed Americans to stem the financial fallout from the virus and prevent a recession, or even a depression. 

“It is critical that we move swiftly and boldly to begin to stabilize our economy, preserve Americans’ jobs, get money to workers and families and keep up our fight on the health front. That is exactly, exactly what our proposal will do,” McConnell said from the Senate floor.