Comments on: Wal-Mart’s sick sick days policy

By: Erica

Erica — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:02:06 +0000

@Jess,

I work for a tri-institutional organization that is extremely strict with call-outs. Here too, if you need to take more than 3 days off (say for the flu), they push you to apply for FMLA, because you will get written up… doctor’s note or not. It is not just Walmart. Walmart is just big enough for people to notice and complain about. My husband works for Walmart, and so far they have been very good about letting him leave in a rush because our son is sick, or I am stuck at work and cannot pick him up.
Walmart employs an insane amount of people. If this company goes, the economy is toast… even moreso

By: Jess

Jess — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 22:09:23 +0000

@John, Hate to break it to you bud, but the policy is unfair. If a person is sick and has a doctors written medical release the company will abide by the release, but still demerit the person. There’s more facts about the policy than just the number of days missed. Illness is not considered an excusable absence regardless of medical documentation. Management chooses whether they want to abide by fmloa forms of any kind.
Of the corporate companies I have worked for Wal-Mart is in fact the only company I’ve worked for that doesn’t accept medical releases. It’s not so much a matter of making Wal-Mart the scapegoat. It’s a matter of Wal-Mart needing severe policy reform.
There are so many areas of the company that can use imporvement. Putting time limits on associates duties, not accomodating the needs of their employees (yes with as vast of a management team as they have it is possible), and emposing a “you’re replaceable” policy on associates.
I’m assuming that you are either working on becoming a member of management or are just by the way you posted. I am glad I no longer work for the company and did not make a career out of it. These policies in corporations like Wal-Mart are a big part of what’s bringing our economy down. Human resources needs to be moved from the back burner and put up front again.
When a company hires someone they are usually aware of anything like being a parent (single or not), diability, and other important personal issues that may have an affect on their job attendance and performance. If they cannot provide reasonable accomodation it’s simple don’t hire them. That’s not discrimination, it a matter of being able to provide a safe and healthy work environment for employees. Also the ADA states that if an accomodation is not reasonable the employer has a right to refuse accomodation or employment.

By: Katlyn

Katlyn — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 13:05:44 +0000

I am a walmart employee. , and just the other daythey come up with a new rule it is up to your manager if they want too count the three days as one or all seprate. When i was told by my oersonal manager that was the policy the three days as 1.now they sre changing the rulls withoit changinh handbool, just bunch lies by the managers to get uou to come to wotk sick

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 13:03:07 +0000

By: hater

hater — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 22:17:43 +0000

@sam, f you

By: kenny tapley

kenny tapley — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 07:34:43 +0000

im into my 6th year at walmart,i was sent home tonight for my first d day,i had been sick with a
stomach flu for a week,but still went to work sick like a dog,one night it was worse.so i called the 1-800#went threw the process,spoke to the manager,o.k.get well,see you tomarrow.that night i was called in and belittled,told if i miss 1 day within a year,i will be terminated!because of the points.and sent home!i enjoy my job in maintence,i have only missed days when i was very ill,the 192hrs.of sick time didnt matter at all!and im sure you are aware,when i person gets sick,the whole store gets sick!i think this is very unfair treatment to an x vet;of the u.s.a. army a.d.a! can anybody help me? kenny the happy walmart associate.

By: Anita

Anita — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 18:16:52 +0000

@Rhonda- Thanks so much! Great work spreading the word!

By: Rhonda

Rhonda — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 01:40:09 +0000

When I learned about Wal-Mart’s sick leave policy I immediately began to boycott them. I’ve walked in the store with family and friends but I refuse to purchase a thing…………… Wal-Mart corporation generates tooooooo much revenue not to offer their employees better coverage….

PS–I spread the word too!

By: Vada

Vada — Thu, 27 May 2010 14:03:35 +0000

I work at Wal-Mart as an hourly associate. My daughter recently contracted bacterial Meningitis, and I was forced to take 3 extra days off including my already scheduled ones. Since I have not been an employee for a year yet, i was unable to take a leave of absence. And unfortunately, simply calling in those 3 days would have resulted in my 6th absence. I don’t know exactly what she did, but my manager made it to where I didn’t have to report to work those days I needed.

I think, in extreme cases, all wal-mart managers have a heart, and can help any person whose needs are dire. They are willing to help you if you need help, but they can’t if they don’t know what is going on. Use the Open Door. It works.

By: Greg

Greg — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:08:53 +0000

@John, no. its not. its not fair at all. i work for walmart as an hourly supervisor. the attendance tracking system they use can be edited by any salaried level of management. not everyone plays by the rules. favoritism and politics play a large roll in discipline here.