The Effects of Wal-Mart’s ‘Family First’ Policy
I needed to be home. I called in, but was told that the hours were mandatory during the holidays and if I didn’t show, I didn’t have a job. Family is first… I nursed my daughter back to health and had to look for another job. It was disappointing after all of the “cheerleading” and pep rally type meetings about how Wal-Mart was a family and takes care of its people… Family is first… only they mean their family and the family business. A better story is my mother. She has been with her Wal-Mart store since it opened. She has held a variety of positions over the years. She is in the tier of workers who have earned their way up to the wage cap (implemented several years ago). Currently she is facing surgery for a torn rotator cuff… a direct result of repetitive motion and lifting things too heavy for her. My mother stopped complaining when her co-workers in the same age group became examples at her store… many losing their jobs. Her store only cares that the work gets done, not who does it. It was made pretty clear that there is not fairness in the workplace. She and the other seniors are expected to fill hours when there is a need, have a darn good excuse if they call in, and keep their mouths shut. They are not to complain. They all really need the money because they are kept just this side of being able to pay their bills. Losing hours will put them on the other side… Losing their job will mean losing everything. This company does not “grow” their people… they keep them just where they want them, like an abusive spouse. All of her friends have been lead to believe they can’t do any better and, [since] they’ve stayed at Wal-Mart long enough, they believe that no one else will hire them. It is sad, very sad. We are talking about an era of workers who know what a work ethic is, who want to earn every dollar and who are loyal. Wal-Mart is lucky to have them and has found ways to manipulate and exploit them. And today, as I mentioned… she is facing surgery and very careful what she says because Wal-Mart does not like the Workers Comp Claims… no matter how blatantly obvious they are. You see, her claim is hurting the district and the store’s “numbers”. It’s not about her… once again, it’s about the family.
—anonymous
