Walmart: Evil or no?

dixie · 02-22-2010, 11:08 AM

Due to the total lack of jobs in my area, after being out of work for over 18 months, I went back to work in the photolab at WalMart. (I had worked for the company in my early 20s.) Yeah, their pay sucks but hey, it's a job.

When I worked for the company years ago, I worked in a store that was absolutely horrible. No women in mgmt, very sexist and just generally a horrible work environment. When I got the job offer this time, I was so dreading it because I expected the same thing eventhough it was a different location. So far I have been pleasantly surprised this go round. This new store I work at is almost a polar opposite to the first. At this one, our store manager is an openly gay female, as with a couple of our assistant managers. All but two of our Customer Service managers are openly gay males, and there are many many associates who are openly gay, including myself. I was almost shocked to see how gay friendly this store is with its employees, so very different from the last store which always seemed to fire the employees for one reason or another when it was "discovered" that the employee was gay.

The store is very geared for community involvement, inside its doors and out. We have lots of charity programs in the community and also for the employees. We hold benefit dinners inhouse for employees in need. I particularly like this program because the store donates most of the food (employees can donate dishes as well) and it is set up all day in the breakroom and charges $5 per plate for any employee who wants to participate. ALL of the money goes directly to the employee in need (who is kept anonymous). I've seen it help folks a great deal.

Unfortunately though, there are still some issues at this store. For example, two teenage girls working different departments. One girl is a total slacker who not only does NOT do her job but has over 40 unexcused absences. She has not even received a warning. The other girl works her ass off, is always there and always ready to help out wherever she is needed. Two days ago she started having chest pains and her arms went numb. She went into the breakroom to sit down and calm down because the situation was scaring her. She sat there for about 45 minutes. However, she did not tell a member of management what was going on until the end of that time period. Management fired her on the spot for "stealing company money" because she was on the clock when this occurred. WTF? I understand that she should have let someone know what was going on before leaving the floor (not just for her job's sake but for health's sake as well) but I feel that management should have been more understanding and lenient with her due to the circumstances and her previously impeccible work ethic. But that's just my view I guess.

As for most of the issues people have with WalMart for the way they treat their employees, I understand the frustration and anger (after all, I know firsthand). But after working for many different companies in many different places, I also realize that it's not just WalMart. There are MANY MANY companies out there who are just as bad if not worse. We just normally don't get to hear about those companies as often, because they aren't as publicly known as WalMart.

We could hope that at some point in time, ALL employers could be more fair and just with their employees, but I guess in the world of big business the $$$ are always going to be priority number one...

NJFemmie · 02-22-2010, 11:38 AM

Mare and I were actually on our way to Walmarta yesterday, and I brought up this topic. Basically, She felt the same way I do about it - Mom and Pop stores are great when you're in a pinch, but they are way too expensive. In the Walmarta by Her job, they employ a severely disabled man who sits at the door and marks the receipts as you exit. Thinking about it - where else would this man have an opportunity to be employed?

It's a double edged sword topic - on one hand, you know Walmarta makes enough money to extend benefits to their employees. Most retail stores do, but they don't want it to inflate overhead and cut into profit. (CEOs need that damn Bentley and the Olympic sized pools, yanno).... Again, most retail stores do this, including the one Mare works for. She gets benefits because She is management, but She is constantly reminded to watch employee hours because if they go over, they'll be eligible for bennies. Does it suck? Yes. But on the other hand, Walmarta makes employment a reality for those who would not otherwise have an opportunity.

In this economy ... it's all about what you don't spend.

*shrug*

AtLast · 02-22-2010, 01:46 PM

I know I certainly have gone back and forth about this. On one hand, I want to support local businesses that are smaller. I do so, but, I also shop bargains which often are just in the box-type stores like Walmart. I have a friend that absolutely will not buy anything at Walmart. I respect her choice, yet, I just can't go negative about these kinds of stores entirely. It is about the economy and jobs for me in the end. I don't like some of the employment practices of the big box stores and where they get located sometimes (that could hurt smaller, local businesses). I will pay a bit more for something at a Mom & Pop store, but not a crazy inflated price. Sometimes, I buy with customer service in mind, too.

I come from a family-owned small business background, so I have to say I struggle a lot with this. Also, I certainly do find bargains in smaller stores sometimes.

theoddz · 02-22-2010, 02:05 PM

Well, for me, I try not to buy anything from WalMart, just on principle. I'm not raising a family, though, and can afford not to pay the cheapest price available. For that alone, I am blessed, but I also realize that so many others are not in my position, so I can respect that they go where they can get the best prices. I totally and completely see that and agree with it. I also see where WalMart employs some folks who wouldn't have jobs otherwise. It just really pisses me off that it is these very practices, which we both laud and loathe WalMart for are, in the long run, going to drive down wages, destroy the last bastians of decent employment conditions. I think that, in the grand scheme of things, it will ultimately eliminate the middle class. I think they intend it that way. I fully believe and subscribe to the notion that there is a such thing as a "New World Order" and that we are racing towards that very thing at a breakneck speed. This is what alarms me so.

I prefer to do all of my shopping on base, at the military exchanges and commissaries. If anyone's going to make a profit off of me, I'd rather it be put towards making the lives of military members and their families better and more comfortable.

I guess what I'm trying to say here is that I don't know how or if this problem/dilemma is ever going to be resolved, but I don't think that it will ever be in the best interests, overall, of the common American. By and large, America can't afford to not shop at WalMart, yet we can't afford to, either. They've got us by the short 'n curlies.

~Theo~

Rufusboi · 02-22-2010, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theoddz

By and large, America can't afford to not shop at WalMart, yet we can't afford to, either. They've got us by the short 'n curlies.

~Theo~

Good point. I think that sums up the dilemma for most. Damned if you do and damned if you don't.

Rufus

Medusa · 03-03-2010, 12:04 AM

I respect the principle of folks not shopping at Walmart because of their employee practices but my bottom line comes down to what we can afford.

It looks something like this:

Wal-Mart:
Cheapest roll of paper towels .77
Real butter 1.77
Cheapest loaf of bread .77
Tampons 3.97
Bag of frozen chicken tenderloins 6.44
=13.72

"Regular" Grocery Store:
Cheapest roll of paper towels 1.14
Real butter 2.97
Cheapest loaf of bread .99
Tampons 5.40
Bag of frozen chicken tenderloins 8.99
=19.49

That difference is about $6. Or 2.5 gallons of gas. Or 1/4 of our water bill. Or an extra carton of eggs, gallon of milk, and loaf of bread one week. Or a dollar movie and coke for each of us.

Medusa
(penny pincher)

Lynn · 03-03-2010, 12:15 AM

My wonderful butch does the shopping in our house. She is a coupon-clipper and sales-watcher, which saves us a lot of money every week. I'm talking, sometimes as much as $60 or $70. She will go to the grocery store for some items, Wal Mart for others, and then we do some bulk shopping at BJ's. I'm nothing but grateful for the time she puts into this. We are not wealthy, but her efforts save us enough to be able to handle a bill, deal with an unexpected emergency, or go away for a night. That improves the quality of our lives, together. To be honest, I'm sure there is much more to the controversy than I have been interested in finding out about. I don't begrudge anyone their point of view, and I would bet that I'd agree with them if I took the time to understand. But, honestly, I have many issues that are near and dear to me. Many important causes, including some that affect my children. I choose not to take it all on, and I really feel like I have to apologize because I know how it feels, when something is that important to me, and someone doesn't "get it."

MsDemeanor · 04-02-2010, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Wal-Mart:
Cheapest roll of paper towels .77
Real butter 1.77
Cheapest loaf of bread .77
Tampons 3.97
Bag of frozen chicken tenderloins 6.44
=13.72

Paying attention to ads, clipping coupons, and stocking up when things are on sale works, too. I have 3 grocery bags full of Cheerios that I got for about a buck fifty each; it was really swell when they had little nascar toys inside, 'cause those toys sold for 3-4 bucks each on ebay.

16 pack of large rolls of Bounty pick-a-size (so you can use just 1/2) - 9.99 at safeway this week
Real butter - 1.99, often on sale for 1.50 with coupons at safeway
Cheapest loaf of bread - sorry, I don't skimp on bread.
Tampons - 3.99 at walgreens at least one week a month
Fresh boneless skinless chicken breasts - 2.99/lb at Delanos, sometimes on sale for even less

02-22-2010, 11:08 AM	#1
dixie Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: I usually just poke it with a stick. Preferred Pronoun?: Bitch Relationship Status: Intertwined deeply Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: We're all a little mad here. Posts: 6,627 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 10,972 Thanked 21,383 Times in 4,808 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	Employee treatment from an employee's viewpoint... Due to the total lack of jobs in my area, after being out of work for over 18 months, I went back to work in the photolab at WalMart. (I had worked for the company in my early 20s.) Yeah, their pay sucks but hey, it's a job. When I worked for the company years ago, I worked in a store that was absolutely horrible. No women in mgmt, very sexist and just generally a horrible work environment. When I got the job offer this time, I was so dreading it because I expected the same thing eventhough it was a different location. So far I have been pleasantly surprised this go round. This new store I work at is almost a polar opposite to the first. At this one, our store manager is an openly gay female, as with a couple of our assistant managers. All but two of our Customer Service managers are openly gay males, and there are many many associates who are openly gay, including myself. I was almost shocked to see how gay friendly this store is with its employees, so very different from the last store which always seemed to fire the employees for one reason or another when it was "discovered" that the employee was gay. The store is very geared for community involvement, inside its doors and out. We have lots of charity programs in the community and also for the employees. We hold benefit dinners inhouse for employees in need. I particularly like this program because the store donates most of the food (employees can donate dishes as well) and it is set up all day in the breakroom and charges $5 per plate for any employee who wants to participate. ALL of the money goes directly to the employee in need (who is kept anonymous). I've seen it help folks a great deal. Unfortunately though, there are still some issues at this store. For example, two teenage girls working different departments. One girl is a total slacker who not only does NOT do her job but has over 40 unexcused absences. She has not even received a warning. The other girl works her ass off, is always there and always ready to help out wherever she is needed. Two days ago she started having chest pains and her arms went numb. She went into the breakroom to sit down and calm down because the situation was scaring her. She sat there for about 45 minutes. However, she did not tell a member of management what was going on until the end of that time period. Management fired her on the spot for "stealing company money" because she was on the clock when this occurred. WTF? I understand that she should have let someone know what was going on before leaving the floor (not just for her job's sake but for health's sake as well) but I feel that management should have been more understanding and lenient with her due to the circumstances and her previously impeccible work ethic. But that's just my view I guess. As for most of the issues people have with WalMart for the way they treat their employees, I understand the frustration and anger (after all, I know firsthand). But after working for many different companies in many different places, I also realize that it's not just WalMart. There are MANY MANY companies out there who are just as bad if not worse. We just normally don't get to hear about those companies as often, because they aren't as publicly known as WalMart. We could hope that at some point in time, ALL employers could be more fair and just with their employees, but I guess in the world of big business the $$$ are always going to be priority number one...

02-22-2010, 11:38 AM	#2
NJFemmie Senior Member How Do You Identify?: The original lime-twisted femme Preferred Pronoun?: I answer to most things, especially lesbian. Relationship Status: Still loving my Mare ;) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 4,683 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,343 Thanked 11,419 Times in 2,976 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	Mare and I were actually on our way to Walmarta yesterday, and I brought up this topic. Basically, She felt the same way I do about it - Mom and Pop stores are great when you're in a pinch, but they are way too expensive. In the Walmarta by Her job, they employ a severely disabled man who sits at the door and marks the receipts as you exit. Thinking about it - where else would this man have an opportunity to be employed? It's a double edged sword topic - on one hand, you know Walmarta makes enough money to extend benefits to their employees. Most retail stores do, but they don't want it to inflate overhead and cut into profit. (CEOs need* that damn Bentley and the Olympic sized pools, yanno).... Again, most retail stores do this, including the one Mare works for. She gets benefits because She is management, but She is constantly reminded to watch employee hours because if they go over, they'll be eligible for bennies. Does it suck? Yes. But on the other hand, Walmarta makes employment a reality for those who would not otherwise have an opportunity. In this economy ... it's all about what you don't spend. shrug* __________________

02-22-2010, 02:05 PM	#4
theoddz Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Cranky Old Poop Preferred Pronoun?: Mr. Beast Relationship Status: Married Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,540 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 11,138 Thanked 9,930 Times in 2,512 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	Well, for me, I try not to buy *anything* from WalMart, just on principle. I'm not raising a family, though, and can afford not to pay the cheapest price available. For that alone, I am blessed, but I also realize that so many others are not in my position, so I can respect that they go where they can get the best prices. I totally and completely see that and agree with it. I also see where WalMart employs some folks who wouldn't have jobs otherwise. It just really pisses me off that it is these very practices, which we both laud and loathe WalMart for are, in the long run, going to drive down wages, destroy the last bastians of decent employment conditions. I think that, in the grand scheme of things, it will ultimately eliminate the middle class. I think they intend it that way. I fully believe and subscribe to the notion that there is a such thing as a "New World Order" and that we are racing towards that very thing at a breakneck speed. This is what alarms me so. I prefer to do all of my shopping on base, at the military exchanges and commissaries. If anyone's going to make a profit off of me, I'd rather it be put towards making the lives of military members and their families better and more comfortable. I guess what I'm trying to say here is that I don't know how or if this problem/dilemma is ever going to be resolved, but I don't think that it will ever be in the best interests, overall, of the common American. By and large, America can't afford to *not* shop at WalMart, yet we can't afford to, either. They've got us by the short 'n curlies. *~Theo~* __________________ *"All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost."* -- J. R. R. Tolkien

03-03-2010, 12:04 AM	#6
Medusa Mentally Delicious How Do You Identify?: Queer High Femme, thank you very much Preferred Pronoun?: Mme. Relationship Status: Married to JD. Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Atlanta Posts: 10,446 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 5,995 Thanked 42,686 Times in 7,831 Posts Rep Power: 10000025	I respect the principle of folks not shopping at Walmart because of their employee practices but my bottom line comes down to what we can afford. It looks something like this: Wal-Mart: Cheapest roll of paper towels .77 Real butter 1.77 Cheapest loaf of bread .77 Tampons 3.97 Bag of frozen chicken tenderloins 6.44 =13.72 "Regular" Grocery Store: Cheapest roll of paper towels 1.14 Real butter 2.97 Cheapest loaf of bread .99 Tampons 5.40 Bag of frozen chicken tenderloins 8.99 =19.49 That difference is about $6. Or 2.5 gallons of gas. Or 1/4 of our water bill. Or an extra carton of eggs, gallon of milk, and loaf of bread one week. Or a dollar movie and coke for each of us. Medusa (penny pincher) __________________ . . . Buy ButchFemmePlanet Merch Here: https://teespring.com/stores/butchfemmeplanetcom-merch

03-03-2010, 12:15 AM	#7
Lynn Member How Do You Identify?: Unabashed Feminine Lesbian Preferred Pronoun?: Her, She Relationship Status: Married! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 689 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,499 Thanked 2,413 Times in 504 Posts Rep Power: 9668975	My wonderful butch does the shopping in our house. She is a coupon-clipper and sales-watcher, which saves us a lot of money every week. I'm talking, sometimes as much as $60 or $70. She will go to the grocery store for some items, Wal Mart for others, and then we do some bulk shopping at BJ's. I'm nothing but grateful for the time she puts into this. We are not wealthy, but her efforts save us enough to be able to handle a bill, deal with an unexpected emergency, or go away for a night. That improves the quality of our lives, together. To be honest, I'm sure there is much more to the controversy than I have been interested in finding out about. I don't begrudge anyone their point of view, and I would bet that I'd agree with them if I took the time to understand. But, honestly, I have many issues that are near and dear to me. Many important causes, including some that affect my children. I choose not to take it all on, and I really feel like I have to apologize because I know how it feels, when something is that important to me, and someone doesn't "get it." __________________ In the flush of love's light we dare be brave And suddenly we see that love costs all we are and will ever be. Yet it is only love which sets us free. Maya Angelou Wedding Photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=22b092b98c

02-22-2010, 01:46 PM	#3
AtLast Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Woman Preferred Pronoun?: HER - SHE Relationship Status: Relating Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: CA & AZ I'm a Snowbird Posts: 5,408 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 11,826 Thanked 10,827 Times in 3,199 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	I know I certainly have gone back and forth about this. On one hand, I want to support local businesses that are smaller. I do so, but, I also shop bargains which often are just in the box-type stores like Walmart. I have a friend that absolutely will not buy anything at Walmart. I respect her choice, yet, I just can't go negative about these kinds of stores entirely. It is about the economy and jobs for me in the end. I don't like some of the employment practices of the big box stores and where they get located sometimes (that could hurt smaller, local businesses). I will pay a bit more for something at a Mom & Pop store, but not a crazy inflated price. Sometimes, I buy with customer service in mind, too. I come from a family-owned small business background, so I have to say I struggle a lot with this. Also, I certainly do find bargains in smaller stores sometimes.