Instead of adopting the retail standard operating procedure of reducing unemployment and hiring temporary extra workers for the holiday shopping season, Walmart has decided to stick with its permanent workforce and offer those employees the chance to log some extra hours and boost their salary.
“These extra hours will help staff traditional roles like cashier and stocker and newly created technology-empowered positions such as personal shoppers and Pick-up associates,” Judith McKenna, Walmart’s chief operating officer, said in a statement regarding the news.
The policy of bulking up retail positions during the holiday shopping season with low-cost seasonal workers has long been the source of ire for retail employees, who complain the move deprives them of both hours and extra salary. Walmart has also spent the last several years raising employee wages — after being accused of underpaying their workers for years.
The year 2017 has been something of a rough ride for the retail worker, as some of the largest employers in the land have been cutting back on brick-and-mortar stores that are underperforming, leading to unemployment and empty malls.
“Our associates make the holidays come to life in our stores, and we are thankful for everything they do to help our customers have the best possible shopping experience,” McKenna said.
Walmart is moving to differentiate itself going into the cutthroat, competitive holiday season.
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