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.
