Wal-Mart expands military-pay policy

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is expanding its pay policy for military workers, offering differential pay to employees taking a leave of absence for any military assignment lasting more than three days.

The policy change, announced Tuesday, covers the difference in pay if an employee’s military salary is less than what he makes working for the retailer. The expanded policy now includes basic training so workers who are considering enlisting can make the decision “without fear of losing wages,” according to the announcement.

Wal-Mart said employees took more than 4,400 military leaves of absence last year.

Wal-Mart has hired more than 170,000 veterans since announcing its Veterans Welcome Home Commitment in 2013. The retailer originally set a goal of hiring 100,000 veterans by the end of 2018, but it has since expanded its efforts to hire 250,000 by the end of 2020.