Associates,
We’ve talked all year about our priorities of People, Product, and Digital. Earlier today Walmart CEO Doug McMillon shared some exciting news about what Walmart and Sam’s Club are doing in the area of People. Following recent changes to the U.S. tax code, the company has decided to use some of the savings for key areas of our business – starting with you.
First, we will increase the starting wage rate for all U.S. hourly associates to $11, effective in February.
Second, we will expand our paid leave policy to provide full-time hourly associates with 10 weeks of paid maternity leave and six weeks of paid parental leave. This expanded parental leave also applies to salaried associates and to parents who adopt.
Third, we 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 fourth, full and part-time hourly associates who have been with the company 2 years or more will receive a one-time cash bonus at the following levels:
· $250 for those who’ve been with us 2 – 4 years
· $300 for those who’ve been with us 5 – 9 years
· $400 for those who’ve been with us 10 -14 years
· $750 for those who’ve been with us 15 – 19 years
· $1,000 for those who’ve been with us 20+ years
· An associate who doesn’t benefit from a pay increase and has been with us less than 2 years would be eligible for a $200 bonus.
We will share more information about the specifics of these new policies in the coming weeks.
These changes are well deserved. We are so proud of the hard work you do every day to deliver for our members and help transform our business for the future.
Thank you!
John Furner – President and CEO, Sam’s Club
Gisel Ruiz – Chief Operations Officer, Sam’s Club
David Galloreese – SVP of People, Sam’s Club