Kohl's to offer new employee bonuses over holiday season

By

Robin Driver

Published
Jul 6, 2021

As U.S. retailers continue to face up to the ongoing national labor shortage, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin-based department store operator Kohl’s is seeking to win employees over with bonuses in the second half of this year.
 

According to the retailer, its hourly store, distribution center and e-commerce fulfillment center associates will be eligible to receive the bonuses, which will range from $100 to $400. In particular, the bonuses will be offered to employees working at Kohl’s during the busy holiday season.
 
“As we prepare for an exciting second half of the year, we want to recognize and thank our hourly store, distribution center and e-commerce fulfillment center associates who bring our fall and holiday plans to life for our customers,” said Kohl’s CEO Michelle Gass in a release. “During the busiest shopping season of the year, these associates are going into our facilities and managing incredible demands and we want to recognize them for their upcoming contributions.”

When announcing the introduction of the bonuses, Kohl’s was also eager to emphasize that it offers competitive wages, a weekly pay schedule, flexible shifts and an immediate 15% associate discount. The retailer further highlighted that, due to the upcoming opening of Sephora at Kohl’s in 200 locations this fall, associates will also soon have access to a wide range of prestige beauty products.
 
Resulting from a combination of factors, including continued fears about the Covid-19 pandemic and dissatisfaction with wages deemed to be too low, the current U.S. labor shortage has affected a range of industries and, as speculated by some commentators, could present a long-term challenge to national businesses.
 
Just last month, Kohl’s sought to boost its employee numbers with its first nonseasonal hiring event, which aimed to recruit 5,000 associates for both full- and part-time positions over three days.