The Home Depot draws large number of applicants

Good pay and benefits seen as a plus

By TOM KANE

HONESDALE, PA — Over 1,000 people vied for 85 positions at The Home Depot that opened November 22 in Indian Orchard. For the 130 jobs available at that location, 350 people were interviewed and 45 were transferred from other Home Depot locations.

“I think it’s the fact that The Home Depot pays well and especially that it gives part-timers benefits—something that no other employers around here does,” said “Al,” from Clarks Summit, who works in the plumbing department. Al, 62, a retired plant manager of a large warehouse with yearly earnings of $70,000, is working part-time because he is retired. “I was offered an incentive package by my employer to retire early and I took it.”

Al is makes $9 an hour. “It’s my understanding that the salary range here is between $9 and $17 an hour,” he said.

“Our benefit package is our way of maintaining a competitive advantage over our competition because we are able to retain very knowledgeable workers who can give out good advice to people repairing their homes,” said Wancey Casey, The Home Depot spokesman.

“I think it’s a good location to be next to Wal-Mart,” Joe Popowycz , The Home Depot manager, said. “Wal-Mart is a draw for our store. It gives us visibility to be next to the largest retailer in the world.”