Walmart announced on Wednesday the introduction of a new annual bonus program for its U.S. hourly store employees, including those working in pharmacy and Vision Center stores. Both part-time and full-time associates will be eligible for these bonuses, according to Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner.

The program is designed to reward employees based on their tenure and the performance of their respective stores. Employees who have been with the company for at least one year will qualify for the bonuses, with the potential to earn up to $1,000 annually. This initiative stems from feedback received from store employees, as reported by Reuters.

A Walmart spokesperson noted that while the company has a history of issuing bonuses, further details about the previous distributions were not immediately provided.

In addition to the new bonus program, Walmart has recently taken steps to increase compensation for its workers. In January, the retail giant raised the minimum wage for its U.S. hourly workers to $14 per hour. Currently, the average hourly wage for Walmart employees in the U.S. is approaching $18 per hour. Earlier this year, Walmart also announced an increase in the annual average salary and bonus for its U.S. store managers, effective February 1.

This announcement comes as the deadline for joining a $45 million weighted-grocery lawsuit against Walmart approaches. The company continues to focus on improving employee compensation and satisfaction, aiming to enhance retention and performance across its U.S. stores.