Walmart adds new benefits for workers

Walmart continues to pump up its employee benefits, with the Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer announcing new worker benefits on Wednesday.

Walmart associates now have access to an associate-to-technician pipeline program, in addition to more skills certificates and a new bonus structure for hourly store workers.

The associate-to-technician program is currently in a pilot phase that involves 100 workers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and will help hourly store and supply chain associates move into facilities maintenance, refrigeration and HVAC, reliability and automation technician roles.

Walmart is now offering over 50 skills certificates, which allow employees to receive various skills certificates  within four months. The goal is to fast-track front-line associates into approximately 100,000 jobs that are higher paying and in demand over the next three years.

The new bonus option allows hourly store workers to earn up to $1,000 in bonuses a year, while new features in the Me@Walmart app gives associates easier access to their pay, discounts, learning opportunities, and benefits. 

Walmart announced late last year that it would increase hourly wages to $18 an hour, and since then the retailer has been beefing up its compensation plan for workers.

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In January the retailer announced that store managers would receive an annual grant of company stock starting in 2024. The stock bonus could be as much as $20,000 annually depending on the size of the store.

Managers also are now receiving a new compensation plan that includes a pay raise and a redesigned bonus plan. The new starting annual base wage will range from $90,000 to $170,000, moving the average up to $128,000. Previously, store managers were pulling in $65,000 to $170,000.