Wal-Mart Details Employee Bonuses, New Worker Initiatives

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores here on Thursday said it will create new bonus programs to reward long-term employees and workers who provide exceptional customer service. The retailer, frequently criticized by labor groups for its treatment of workers, also said Thursday that it paid nearly $530 million in bonuses to 813,759 U.S. associates. The cash bonuses were allocated based on store performance. Wal-Mart said Thursday it will begin paying such bonuses quarterly, rather than annually. The new Servant Leadership bonus offers associates with more than 20 years of service an extra week of pay, Wal-Mart said. The new Customer Champion award, scheduled to launch this summer, will pay unspecified cash bonuses to employees “who go above and beyond in providing excellent customer service.”