SOUTHWEST FLORIDA -- Walmart announcing plans to increase its starting wage rate for hourly associates throughout Florida.
An company spokesperson says the wage rate will raise to $11 per hour and the company will also expand its maternity and parental leave benefits and a one-time cash bonus up to 1,000 for eligible employees.
"We are building on investments we've been making in associates, in their wages and skills developments," said Doug McMillion, Walmart president and CEO. "It's our people who make the difference and we appreciate how they work hard to make every day easier for busy families.'
Associates will continue to hear more from their managers about benefit details. But, broadly, associates will receive the following benefits:
- More than 67,500 Walmart and Sam's Club associates in Florida will soon receive wage increases and bonuses totaling nearly $105.7 million.
- An increase in Walmart's starting wage rate to $11 an hour, effective in the Feb. 17, 2018, pay cycle. Walmart's new average hourly wage for full-time associates in Florida will be $14.04.
- An expanded parental and maternity leave policy, providing full-time hourly associates in the U.S. with 10 weeks of paid maternity leave and six weeks of paid parental leave. Salaried associates will also receive six weeks of paid parental leave.
- Walmart will provide financial assistance to associates adopting a child. The adoption benefits, available to both full-time hourly and salaried associates, will total $5,000 per child and may be used for expenses such as adoption agency fees, translation fees and legal or court costs.
