Need a job amid coronavirus crisis? Walmart announces plan to add 150,000 employees to meet 'demand in our stores'

Kelly Tyko | USA TODAY

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Walmart, the world's largest brick-and-mortar retailer and straining under pressure to get goods in the hands of its customers during the coronavirus crisis, is looking to grow its workforce.

The retail giant said it will hire 150,000 new employees through the end of May to work in stores, clubs, and distribution and fulfillment centers. The jobs will be temporary, but many will convert to permanent roles, according to a news release Thursday.

“We know millions of Americans who are usually employed at this time are temporarily out of work, and at the same time we’re currently seeing strong demand in our stores,” Walmart president and CEO Doug McMillon said in the release.

Walmart also plans to reward currently hourly workers with more than $365 million in cash bonuses "for their hard work and dedication" during the national health crisis, the release said.

The announcement came a day after Walmart said it was cutting store hours for the second time in less than a week because of the spread of COVID-19. The company also is adding a time for seniors to shop.

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Walmart says it has reached out to industry groups representing restaurants and hospitality to "facilitate temporary roles that can be a bridge for their employees during this difficult time."

The hiring process will be expedited for cashiers and stockers, and the normally two-week application cycle "will be reduced to a 24-hour process." Jobs will be posted at www.walmartcareers.com.

Retailers, including Amazon and Kroger, also have been ramping up hiring for positions ranging from the warehouse to the checkout counter, as delivery and service workers increasingly become indispensable to Americans largely confined to their homes because of concerns about the coronavirus.

Amazon says it will hire 100,000 workers to assist with online deliveries in the U.S. and raise their minimum pay to at least $17 an hour through April.

Coronavirus: Amazon to hire thousands to help with online deliveries Amazon plans to hire 100,000 workers to assist with online deliveries in the U.S. and raise their minimum pay to at least $17 an hour through April.

Walmart bonuses for hourly workers

All U.S. hourly associates in stores, clubs, supply chain and offices employed with the retail giant as of March 1 qualify for the bonuses that will be paid out April 2. Full-time hourly associates will get $300 and part-time hourly associates will get $150, the company said in a news release Thursday.

Quarterly bonuses worth $180 million also will be paid to employees a month early, Walmart said.

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Contributing: Charisse Jones, USA TODAY

Follow USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko