IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, more than 890,000 Walmart U.S. associates, including more than 136,000 in California, are receiving a share of more than $560 million total cash bonuses, including:
- More than $160 million in cash bonuses based on their stores’ Q4 performance, and
- More than $400 million in one-time cash bonuses tied to recent changes in tax law.
- In California, Walmart associates are receiving approximately $34 million in combined bonuses.
The bonuses, along with an annual pay raise for our hourly field associates, are included in their March 8 paycheck. Between Q4 performance bonuses, tenure-based bonuses, pay increases and recent paid time off (PTO) cash outs, more than $1 billion flowed to U.S. hourly associates during the months of February and March.
In January, Walmart announced plans to increase the starting wage for all hourly associates in the U.S. to at least $11, expand maternity and parental leave benefits, and provide a one-time cash bonus for eligible associates of up to $1,000. A new adoption assistance benefit of $5,000 per child – announced in conjunction with the other changes – went into effect on February 1.
"Walmart's continued investment in people will keep their workforce strong but will also strengthen hundreds of California communities," said Bill Dombrowski, President and CEO of the California Retailers Association. "Walmart's initiative will directly impact the daily lives of tens of thousands of Californians."
Walmart associates earn quarterly bonuses as part of an overall incentive plan designed to reward associates whose stores achieve sales and customer service goals. Hourly associates in California earned more than $6.6 million following Q4 comp sales of 2.6 percent in Walmart U.S.
- For the full fiscal year, U.S. associates shared more than $625 million in performance-based bonuses, including more than $68 million shared by California associates.
- Walmart also recently cashed out to associates more than $300 million in unused paid time off (PTO).
"Our associates work tremendously hard to make every day easier for busy families and today we celebrate how much we value their effort," said Angela Wilson, a regional general manager for Walmart in California. "It was important to us that we further build upon the investments we have been making in wages and skills development with family friendly benefits, and we will continue to invest in our associates and their futures."
Walmart in California
Walmart’s recent pay raises are just one part of the company’s local investment and impact. In California, the company:
- Operates 304 retail units (as of Sept. 2017)
- Spent $24.5 billion with local suppliers, supporting 212,055 supplier jobs in 2017.*
- Paid more than $344 million in taxes and collected more than $1.1 billion in sales taxes in 2017.
*Information supplied by Dunn & Bradstreet
About Walmart in California
Walmart 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. 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. In California we serve customers at 304 retail units and online through Walmart Grocery Pickup, Walmart.com and Jet.com. We are proud to employ more than 93,105 associates in California. Walmart supports local businesses, spending $24.5 billion with California suppliers in FY17, which supported 212,055 supplier jobs. Learn more at the Walmart Today blog, and our Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram channels.