Walmart seems to be failing...

Walmart seems to be in a state of decline recently.  The company's low prices and low wages are beginning to become a recipe for disaster.  To have a decent retail store, the workers need to be positively motivated and the prices of the in-store stock must be low.  The current times don't seem to allow for both.

Today, workers are able to post their frustrations on social media.  This allows us to see the real colors of the real Walmart. What people have been seeing isn't pretty.  This past April, Walmart closed several stores, due to what the company called, "maintenance issues." It just so happened that the associates of these stores were attempting to organize.  Walmart made sure that this did not happen.  Walmart doesn't like any form of associate coordination.  Talking to another associate while working is often frowned upon.  It's very rare to work in any kind of team environment.  Typically, there is only one associate working in any given department.  These lone associates are performing tasks well beyond what they are getting paid for, and often lack the training necessary to complete these tasks.  Store Managers lack the money and time to allow associates the training required to do their job effectively.  This reason alone is why stores are often lacking stock. Associate don't know how and lack the time to figure it out.  I can't remember the last time I was in a Walmart store when the laptop cases were stocked.  It seems like the only thing anyone gets out of a Walmart store visit is a frustrating, wild goose chase to find an associate to help them locate what they are looking for. Often, the associates can't even help them.  Why doesn't Walmart just run it's stores with members of management?  Associates don't get paid enough and they aren't given the opportunity to train.

The Horrors of Walmart Layaway

As a former Walmart employee and usual Walmart Layaway associate (annually), I have a few horror stories about the whole experience that should enlighten the ignorance to how all of your lovely Christmas items are being taken care of. Just keep in mind that poorly paid Walmart Associates are taking care of your “hard earned” Christmas gifts.

On any given day (At least this is how it worked for me) one associate was responsible for Walmart layaway. This means that one associate is responsible for opening layaway accounts, binning news orders, retrieving layaway orders, and directing customers to management when they ask why there is only one layaway associate. You get what you pay for folks, that’s the plain truth. When the layaway associate has a day off, nothing gets done. Inexperienced associates are pulled from various departments to “take care” of everything while the layaway associate is gone. I remember walking into a disaster everytime I came back to work. Nothing was kept together, and no one ever binned anything into the system. I kept a written log of everything I did each day so I could keep proof of everything I did; an attempt to avoid the dreaded “WALMART COACHING POLICY.” The store manager would routinely throw away my notes from each day, saying “No hand written notes!” Associate innovation isn’t really encouraged at Walmart Stores, if it’s even encouraged at all.

My least favorite part of the whole experience is having to be outside in negative degree weather to get to the outdoor toy bins. I can’t tell you how many “unrealistically-angered” customers I had to deal with because parts of their orders were in multiple toy bins. The locks would always be frozen and sometimes I would have to use spit to thaw out the lock (you do what you can to survive while in Walmart Layaway). There were times when I was horribly sick with a cough and I would still have to come to work with no help; I would have be out in the cold with a huge line of customers for hours. There came a point when had to just leave when it was my time to go, even when there was still a long line of customers, otherwise I would have lost one of my hands or one of my fingers to frostbite.

I will never use Walmart Layaway and I do appreciate how I was treated by my customers and how I was treated by management during my time at that store. Walmart was the most challenging, least rewarding job I have ever had.

The moral of this story, and I direct this to the people at Corporate Walmart: You get what you pay for.

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 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.

Walmart's Commitment to Associates?

Walmart's Commitment 

to

Associates?

If you are a Walmart Associate, you probably already know about how Walmart has promised raises for 500,000 of it's United States associates. Before I continue I want to give you a copy of the handout which should have been made available to all associates in the US.

"Hundreds of thousands of associates of all levels will receive a raise this year" -Walmart 

Here it is:

Before I get into some things to consider, take the time to watch a local news spot from Bentonville Arkansas (Walmart Corporate Headquarters is located in Bentonville Arkansas).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjVa6hSlq2A

Hopefully, you took the time to read the handout. First off, lets not get our hopes up. A pay raise would be amazing, but we need to analyze some things and ask some hard questions. Consider these things:

Not everyone is getting a raise!

1. Keep in mind, this handout is basically giving you a timeline. All of these things mentioned in the handout will not be happening all at once.
2. Be conscience of District Managers and Store Managers. More employee pay means less on their bottom line at the end of the year. This handout says nothing about more hours or hiring more associates per store. You could find yourself working fewer hours with even less help (If that is even possible).
3. Be aware of the fine print, wherever it may be. Walmart stores will probably find loopholes around increasing pay for it's associates because of their bottom line at the end of the year.
4. The working environment will probably be more strict. The coaching policy will probably see more rules added to it making it even more difficult for associates to promote or transfer stores.
5. Always do your research! Don't always listen to Walmart Corporate. Get the facts from as many sources as possible to see what's really going on.
6. It may not be bad at all... Everything could improve; however, associates who have been working at Walmart need to be treated like individuals, like human beings. Problems are solved when more associates are hired and each associate is allowed to focus on the jobs they were hired for. As of now, associates are not getting payed enough for how much they are asked to do.

Here are the facts:

• Walmart has 2.2 Million associates around the world
• Walmart has 1.3 Million associates in the United States
• Only 500,000 out of 1,300,000 U.S. associates will be getting a raise
• Only 38.46% of all U.S. associates will be getting a raise
• Only 5 out of every 13 U.S. associates will be getting a raise

Walmart is testing the waters to see if pay raises will make a difference in customer satisfaction, which basically comes down to the bottom line. It seems like these pay raises are just an experiment for the time being. I'm sure they will expand it to the rest of the company if it works; however, don't get too excited. Walmart is known to make changes. Don't be surprised if they continue to do so.

Walmart Company Statistics: 

Statistics taken from WolframAlpha: 3/18/2015



Walmart Coachings: There is hope!

Walmart’s “Coaching” Policy

    If you are a Walmart employee, odds are you have come across Walmart’s coaching policy, or maybe you have been coached yourself. You might have questions about how the coaching policy actually works. Hopefully, this will help fill in the blanks.

Here are some questions that you need to be asking yourself:

1. What is a coaching?
2. How does it affect me as a Walmart employee?
3. Can I bounce back after a coaching?
4. How does Walmart’s disciplinary policy differ from other major retailers?

If you have further questions, please check out this link: http://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Employee-Review-Walmart-RVW153121.htm

Now, since this is a blog I am going to be moving on to my personal opinion. After your second coaching, the company freezes you in your current position for a year. This means you can't promote, you can't transfer stores, or switch your job in your current store (from my understanding you can switch jobs at this point, only if it is a pay grade below your current position). You aren't even aloud to get a copy of your own coaching, detailing why management issued your coaching in the first place; however, management does inform you what you are being coached for, you just don't have access to their comments and your own discipline records. If you do try to acknowledge your interest in another position of a higher pay grade on the Career Preference Dashboard, located on the Walmart Wire, (Even if you have already passed the leadership assessment) the in-store website will inform you that you have an active coaching and will not allow you to continue. This can be quite heartbreaking, especially if a member of management has already come to you personally, to ask if you were interested in the position in the first place.

A coaching can be a very aggravating event, especially after #2. Though you do have to stick it out for a whole year; once that year is over, you get a fresh start and those coachings are not held over your head for the rest of your career. I suppose that Corporate Walmart theorizes that if an employee can stick with it for a whole year, that employee should be motivated not to repeat his actions that got him coached in the first place. I do believe that coachings should last only 6 months. A year is unheard of with most other companies. I wonder if corporate employees are held to the same standards, or if they get a clean pass for knowing the right people. It's hard to say, but I have placed it upon myself to grow with this company and help others do the same. I love the challenge retail work provides; not many people can stick with it before moving to another company. I don't agree with everything Walmart does; however, if you come to work on time, do your best and learn the system, it's pretty easy to move up the ladder. If Walmart is reading this, I hope they consider moving the time employees are frozen from one year, to six months, or maybe find another way for an employee to break out of that coaching if that employee works for it. I enjoy and take pride in my work, but I also care for the people I work with. I want this blog to be helpful for all Walmart employees.

Take your first verbal coaching as a time to reflect on what you need to improve and fix it. Try not to dwell on if your manager was right or wrong. A good manager will never punish a good employee for doing his job the right way. Just do your best to be at work and be there on time. Give 110% and everything will be okay.

Thank you for reading!

Update:

If you are interested in looking for a new job and you are not at all happy with the company that you are working for, you can get a better job. I recently read this book that really speaks volumes to how you not only deserve a decent job, but its within your reach. Check out this book on Amazon below:

A Brief Guide to the Modern Job Market

Let me know if you got anything out of it too. It's good for discussion.