America’s Largest Retailer will Hire Veterans Starting on Memorial Day
By Jean-Paul McDonald, Farms.com
A planned announcement is set to take place today in New York today by Wal-Mart U.S President and Chief Executive William S. Simon, which will include news about the giant retailer vowing to hire any American veteran who has left the service in the previous year without receiving a dishonorable discharge.
The hiring program is set to begin on Memorial Day (May 27, 2013) and could potentially see more than 100,000 veterans hired on over the next five years. “Let’s be clear: Hiring a veteran can be one of the best decisions any of us can make,” Mr. Simon will say in his keynote speech to the National Retail Federation, according to prepared text. “These are leaders with discipline, training and a passion for service.”
Currently, Wal-Mart employs about 100,000 veterans among its work force of 1.4 million people in the United States. Wal-Mart is also a generous contributor to veteran’s charities and has pledged to donate $20 million towards veteran’s causes by 2015.
Some critics view this as a publicity stunt by the company - arguing that the company offers very little to its employees in terms of compensation, health benefits and advancement opportunities.
Critics aside, the value of any job in tough times could be seen as a blessing; and for our troops who put their lives on the line to protect the rights and freedoms of the country, a job is the least any company could offer them back home.
If you are a veteran looking for a job, there are several programs in place to help transition back to the civilian work force, including jobs in agriculture for veterans.