Welcome news for Walmart employees today, as the company has announced it will close its doors on Thanksgiving to give staff the day to spend with family. Oh, and it was a Texan's idea.

Business Insider reports that the company is crediting the Thanksgiving closure to Kevin Carlyle, a People Leader (Walmart speak for HR rep) at Store #475 in Round Rock. He reportedly wrote to the company and requested that store associates be able to stay home on November 26 and be with their loved ones.

“We know this has been a trying year, and our associates have stepped up," Walmart U.S. President and CEO John Furner said Tuesday. We hope they will enjoy a special Thanksgiving Day at home with their loved ones. We are certainly thankful to our people for all of their efforts.”

Furner also announced a third round of bonuses for employees. Full-time hourly staff will receive $300, while part-time hourly and temporary staff will get a check for $150. Other staff including managers and drivers will get around $428.

I think most of us have felt stores ought to give the day off to their employees for years now, but others have made the case that some employees enjoy getting that sweet holiday pay. I can understand that, but this hasn't been a normal year and I can't imagine how fatigued the everyday workers at Walmart must be - not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. Imagine how stressed out they'll be come Turkey Day.

Walmart's CEO says the company will operate at normal business hours on November 25, but the company has not yet released plans for the 27th - Black Friday. I would think they'd do their best to make Black Friday more of a virtual event, but who even knows at this point?

What do you think about Walmart closing for Thanksgiving this year? If they're open on Black Friday, will you be camped out for deals?

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