Facing public criticism for low wages compared to other box stores, in 2015 Walmart announced several new initiatives aimed at improving and enhancing the store experience for associates and customers. As a result of these changes, the company recently awarded $24.5 million in second quarter cash bonuses to 103,500 hourly associates in Texas. The bonuses, which were based on stores’ performances from May through July of this year, are part of an overall incentive plan designed to reward associates whose stores have met their performance and customer service goals. Eligible associates can earn these bonuses four times a year.
More than 932,000 hourly associates received a second quarter bonus, up from 880,000 associates in the second quarter of fiscal 2016 and 687,000 associates in fiscal 2015.
“There were a lot of smiles around our Walmart on September 8,” said Greg Harden, Walmart Store Manager. “Walmart is a place of opportunity. We knew our performance and customer service goals, and it was up to the Associates in my store to take advantage of this opportunity. We did it and being recognized for our accomplishment means a lot to our whole team, and to our families.”
Unfortunately, this article amounts to Walmart propaganda.
In 2015, Walmart took in more money than any company ever – in the history of the entire world. Walmart reportedly grossed $485.65 billion. That is more than all but around 30 entire countries in the whole world. And depending on the math process that is used, that comes out to between 900 thousand and 1 million dollars per minute. At the same time, most Walmart employees do not make a “living” wage. Most Walmart employees live in poverty because they make so little money. In fact most Walmart stores pay so little that the employees are eligible for and receive thousands or millions of dollars in various types of governmental aid. This effectively makes Walmart a beneficiary of federal aid because without such aid to its’ employees, Walmart would have to pay more in order to keep the employees.
While all this is going on, if the 4 or 5 children of Sam Walton put their money together, they would have more money than 181 million other US citizens – together. In other words, if the Walmart family put its money together, it would be more than 43% of the population of the entire USA. I think they can obviously afford to pay much larger regular bonuses to Walmart employees.
And this statement will not really cover the real effect of Walmart on community economies. But I will say that when you consider the destabilizing effect that Walmart has on community economy, you have to say that Walmart should pay the bonuses and more. For a better idea of some of the issues, go to “Youtube” and look at the video “Walmart, The High Cost of Low Price”.
Former Walmart employees can tell you about Walmart. If it was such a good place to work, everybody would want to work there and Walmart would never have to advertise. Most Walmart employees leave Walmart as soon as they can and the pay is just one of the reasons.
Yes it was information they provided, but when I read it I felt it was a sign that the public pressure they have felt over the last four years was beginning to have an impact and warranted sharing. There is no suggestion that anyone should stop pushing them to do far more. but be prepared to pay the cost because they are not going to take money away from the Walton family the increased costs will be passed on to us.
If we continue to shop at COSTCO and other places that offer more fair wages and reasonable prices, WalMart will continue to feel the pressure.