To retain workers, Walmart moves more to full time
NEW YORK – Walmart is moving more of its workers full time as the nation’s largest private employer looks for more ways to attract and retain employees.
The company said Wednesday it plans to have two-thirds of its U.S. store hourly jobs be full time with more consistent work schedules by Jan. 31, the end of its current fiscal year. That’s up from 53% five years ago, the company said.
With the move, Walmart will have 740,000 of its 1.2 million U.S. Walmart hourly store workers working full time by early next year. That would mean it will have about 110,000 more full-time workers than it did five years ago. Walmart employs roughly 1.5 million workers in the U.S. including those at Sam’s Club, distribution centers and in corporate and managerial jobs.
Drew Holler, Walmart’s senior vice president of U.S. people operations, said workers are demanding full-time jobs, which have better health and dental benefits. Holler also noted that full-time work offers the Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer a competitive edge as it’s able to retain and attract better employees in a fiercely competitive environment. The moves also come as the exploding pickup and delivery businesses are calling for more full-time jobs as Walmart’s stores operate as fulfillment centers and retail spaces.
Walmart considers any employee working 34 hours or more a week full time, although anyone working 30 hours a week or more is eligible for health coverage.