Walmart

A rumored acquisition could give the nation’s largest employer control of healthcare for its 1.5 million U.S. employees, drive down costs and increase the number of employers looking to disrupt the industry.

Aflac, Chipotle, Starbucks and Visa are among the employers investing their tax savings back into the workplace.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is boosting its starting hourly wage to $11 and delivering bonuses to employees, capitalizing on the U.S. tax overhaul to stay competitive in a tightening labor market.

The retailer announced plans Monday to boost its minimum hourly in October and will later up the rate to $15 by the end of 2020.

Here’s what large employers, including Starbucks, Amazon and Staples, did this year to redefine their employee benefit packages.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. added insurance coverage for transgender workers this year, joining more than 500 companies taking a bigger role in advancing the rights of LGBT employees in a competitive market for labor.

An app from OUR Walmart serves as a mobile employee handbook.