A look at Walmart and It's Anti-Union Policy

Recently, I have been doing a lot of research to see what Walmart has been up to. I came across two articles, (Which will be linked at the end of this post) both indicate that Walmart stores are very afraid of some kind of associate organization, it doesn't even matter if it's some kind of Facebook group for fun or an associate picnic. Walmart does whatever it can to make sure associates are scared to "organize."

Even in at my own time at Walmart, It seemed that the strategy was to keep associates isolated and busy. Conversation and teamwork was frowned upon. Leadership among associates was not encouraged. Management never really took the time to get to know the people that worked for them, this is something that always bothered me as an associate. I always asked questions, I always wanted to know why something was done a certain way. I often felt like I was being taught to perform as a robot, with no emotions and no opinions, even though Walmart supposedly offers and open door policy.

Walmart says they have an open door policy. Associates are free to speak with leadership about their concerns or ideas. Myself and other coworkers often spoke to management about better ways to perform certain tasks. The question I always asked was: "Why do we schedule one associate in the Photo Lab during the Christmas rush?" I can't tell you how many associates have quit that position during that time of year. Management never gave us a direct answer to that question other than, "We can't afford that right now." Even when another associate was scheduled, a manager would always pull them to work at another department even when photo was busy. This was an issue throughout the entire store.

Here is a leaked training video from Walmart Associate Orientation Day (Keep in mind that this video was removed after being posted on YouTube. You can view it at the following link):
Walmart: Anti-Union Training Video (Associate Orientation)

In April, Walmart closed 5 of it's stores that simultaneously went through similar "Plumbing Issues." Walmart has yet to begin work on the alleged issues, leaving over 2,000 people out of work. It should be noted that these were stores where associates were attempting to "organize." Walmart is notorious for using scare tactics to keep associates in check.

What is Walmart up to?

Consider these things:

• Walmart recently increased wages for approximately 500,000 associates.
• Walmart recently closed 5 stores where associates were attempting to organize.

What does this mean?

• Walmart is trying to both pay and scare their associates into submission.
• Walmart must believe that these tactics will "encourage" (I used that word loosely) associates to have a more positive attitude while working, to ultimately increase the infamous "Bottom Line."
• This is just a trial period. They are trying to see what makes them the most money. They are a huge company and all that matters is dominating the market and making more money by whatever means necessary. It's a business!

 I'm not telling you, "Not to shop at Walmart." I just don't see why Walmart should keep it's associates from organizing their own groups. Unions don't bring companies down. I look at Kroger and see wonderful quality and customer satisfaction around every corner. I do also agree that employees should be able to choose if they want to be a part of a union or not. I believe in freedom in every aspect, I believe that hard work should be rewarded and laziness should not be tolerated; however; punishing associates because you can't afford to promote them is wrong; cutting their hours in half after Christmas is wrong. Associates are human beings, with families, bills, and need money to live.

My advice to all Walmart Associates, don't ever work for a company that always keeps you in constant, needless fear. If you can, find a new job. If you love Walmart, make the most of your time there. There is no such thing as a perfect company, because there is no perfect individual to run it. There will always be corruption, don't ever be afraid to stand against it. I will say this though, there is always a better company.

http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/17973/walmarts_absurd_anti_union_training_video_just_got_leaked

How Walmart Trains Managers:
http://labornotes.org/blogs/2011/08/how-walmart-trains-managers

Link to a Walmart Article: Criticism of Walmart

 

Are you wanting more information about Walmart Stores? Check out this Wikipedia link. Normally I frown upon Wikipedia; however, with 172 sources I just couldn't pass up sharing. If the article doesn't change the way you think about Walmart, I don't know what will.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Walmart

I encourage you to read the entire article, then save it to a personal file. My personal recommendation is to save it as a PDF. You never know when you might need it. Print it if you can.

Remember these quotes and take them to heart:

"Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example."
-Mark Twain

"You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you can play better than anyone else."
-Albert Einstein

"Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value."
-Albert Einstein

Walmart Associates need to understand that they outnumber the people at corporate. Corporate knows this. Don't ever underestimate your numbers as associates, as well as the power of a unified voice. There is strength in numbers. Keep this in mind: The associates know the customers better than management does. 

Walmart rejects associate growth and discourages innovation. What is the alternative?

Walmart rejects associate growth and discourages innovation:

What is the alternative?

During my time as a Walmart associate, I had countless conversations with coworkers about how Walmart was doing retail the wrong way. I can't begin to tell you how many times I openly agreed with a customer's complaint about the company. All I could respond with was, "I'm sorry, that's way beyond even my store manager's pay grade." In the grand scheme of things, a stores management team really is just as helpless if not more so than it's associates. If you have been an associate at one time or another, you have probably seen how the really good managers always find better jobs. I'm a people person, I personally would have a hard time making a decision that could affect someone's ability to make ends meet. Walmart hardly gives anyone full-time hours anymore. I remember even being on full-time status, my hours would alternate between 40 and 36 hours a week.

What stood out to me the most is how everyone kept complaining about the same thing, over and over again and would do nothing about it. After awhile this started getting very discouraging, so I decided to start applying for jobs with other companies to see what I could get, if anything. Sure enough, I finally got a phone call from a company who appreciated not only my skills, but also my personality and how my mind processed information. I found a company that encouraged innovation and challenged me to improve.

My advice to any and every Walmart associate: (and I don't care what your situation is) If you don't like Walmart, don't settle, don't let a company bring you down, do everything you can to get a better job. Don't let them make you feel like you are in chains, trust me I know the feeling. Just start applying everywhere, don't worry about what the prerequisites are for a particular job. Learn how to write a resume, learn how to write a professional email. My final bit of advice, and I cannot stress this enough; Never be afraid to learn something new. If you are reading this, you have the internet, utilize it as a tool. READ!!! Read anything and everything you can about the skill you want to learn. Never stop trying to improve yourself.

Resources: Here is a list of several resources I use quite frequently. I know I have had my fair share of typos in my blogs; however, I still recommend learning proper spelling. While texting, try to use proper spelling and grammar. Get into the habit of writing professionally. Also, don't just use a word, know completely, the meaning of a word before you make it a part of your vocabulary. Possessing a broad vocabulary is essential to the growth of your career. It would be a very good idea to do research on a company that you are about to interview for. That company will be very impressed with the knowledge you have of them.

Here some of my most valuable resources:

1. Dictionary.com- I use this website to look up the true meaning of a word. Definitions are your friend, always ask for everything to be defined. Instead of memorizing, seek to understand.
2. Reference.com- I use this website to read up on the history of corporations, people, products, and anything really. This is a great tool for learning and seeking to grow your mind's library. Put it to the test.
3. WolframAlpha- I can't truly describe this amazing website completely, because it pretty much does everything you can think of. Just for fun, go to the website and try entering "Walmart" and check out the company's "Fundamentals and and financials" box. Your mind may be blown.

I hope these resources will help you in with whatever you hope to achieve. Remember, never pass up the opportunity to learn or grow.

If you are interested in reading more from me, I have several blogs here on blogger.com.

Thanks for reading!



-Alec Terrance

Walmart The Aftermath: The opinion of a former employee

             

 Walmart The Aftermath: 

The opinion of a former employee

It has been almost a month since I left Walmart for a better company. I have found it almost impossible to set foot in another Walmart store, unless absolutely necessary. I can’t shake the feeling I had while working there, how I was treated by customers, how many times I got pulled to work in an area I knew nothing about, then getting yelled at by customers because I lacked the knowledge of that area.

            It’s hard seeing the faces of employees that work there. They work so hard to put food on the table and barely make enough to pay bills. I will never forget being coached (the second time for the same reason) by a member of management for having to call off work because my car couldn’t drive in the snow. I tried for hours that night to at least arrive late. No matter what I did, my car wouldn’t move. When I gave my reason, the assistant manager simply told me that I needed to get a better car so I could make it to work. $9.75/hour is not enough money to pay for a better car. The manager’s comment was not appropriate. I always worked hard and completed my work in a timely manner; yet, I was punished for something that was out of my hands.

            Upon receiving a second coaching, Walmart associates receive a 1-year probation period. During that time they are unable to promote or transfer stores. Most companies probation periods last no longer than six months. Associates have to deal with stress from two sources:

• Customers: Customers offer no sympathy to the associate. Any given associate is more than likely responsible for several departments, while exercising the responsibilities of a department manager and being on part-time status. Most Walmart associates make little more than $9.00 an hour.

• Management: From management is the constant threat of being coached. I have the heard stories of former coworkers who have been coached simply for forgetting a name tag at home. The internet is filled with stories of associates being coached for trivial things such as name tags or not completing tasks due to customer service. The thing that drives me crazy is that there is no liaison that is able to speak to management on behalf of the associates. This would be a good position for Walmart to consider for its stores.

I have found other stores that have been extremely helpful for all of my shopping needs. It’s so relaxing to be able to shop at a Kroger or a Target. The employees never seem stressed and always have smiles on their faces. Walmart is in need of a revolution. I recommend Walmart pay more attention to its associates; they know the customer better than anyone else. Solutions come from associates, not spreadsheets.