New York (CNN Business) Walmart is changing its paid time off policies for its employees, and will start paying bonuses to workers who limit their absences.

The goal is to give incentives to workers who show up every day, while building in protections for people who have no choice but to miss work.

Currently, hourly workers can miss up to 9 days every six months for unexpected absences. Walmart is cutting that to 5 under the new policy, which will take effect this weekend. The policy around vacation days is not changing.

On top of the 5 days every six months, workers will start receiving up to 6 days a year of "protected PTO." Those days can be used to cover illnesses and emergencies, such as a flat tire or taking care of sick kids or family members.

The difference is the protected PTO won't count against workers' attendance records. Even workers who take all 6 days can be eligible for the new attendance bonus. They won't get the bonus, however, if they dip into the pool of 5 additional days every six months.

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