Paul_Partisan@xanga had an interesting
post last week about Wal-Mart's sick leave policies—in particular, how they are affecting employees who become ill with the swine flu, or have to take care of a unwell family member. Here are the basics of the Wal-Mart policy, based on a company memo covered by
ABC News:
- Each time employees take time off for illness, they must surrender one paid vacation or personal day for their first sick day from work. After that, they can use their sick leave.
- Employees receive about 18 paid days off each year, including vacation, personal, sick days.
- Employees can usually miss work six times every six months for three or less days per absence.
But the National Labor Committee—which interviewed Wal-Marters for a comprehensive report—says employees rack up "points" every time they take off work, and that four points within a six month period means the employees suffer "disciplinary action." Points are reset after 6 months of good attendance. ABC quoted the director of the NLC as saying that Wal-Mart employees "live in fear and dread."
In response, Wal-Mart has defended its policies as fair, and insists that they will not fire any employee who gets the swine flu. They company has also worked on educating its employees about better hygiene to reduce the spread of germs.
And that's important. Scientists say places like the checkout line, which are touch-heavy, are high-risk areas for infection.
In response to such growing concern over the swine flu, Congress is considering a proposal requiring businesses employing 15 or more workers to offer five paid days of sick leave per year to cover workers sent home with contagious illnesses such as the swine flu, according to
The Washington Post.
Critics of the proposal say such a ruling would choke smoke businesses, who also have to pay for someone to cover each sick employee. Others say that, since the bill only covers employees
sent home by their employers, employers could avoid the new legislation by simply not sending their employees home in the first place.
Do you think Wal-Mart is being unfair to its employees? Is it the government's job to regulate sick pay?
Comments (9)
I can't tell you how many times I laugh at the impractical advise given in regards to avoiding the spread of colds/flu, especially the "stay home until you are well" part. Children and dependants have that luxury, if I don't go to work, my rear ends up in the nearest unemployment statistic with delinquent bills and an empty fridge. I am not alone in this situation, no it's not at all fair, but that is life.
Wal-Mart, being the massive corporation that it is, has always been unfair to its workers. It's not surprising to see this happening.
@SerenaDante@xanga - What is "fair" in a corporate business setting? To be honest, it doesn't exist for anyone anywhere. It is in the nature of businesses and the vast majority of businessmen to do what is good for numbers and production. Period. No one cares about the faceless drones implementing policy. They view employees as invaluable, ignorant, and easily replaced...not meaning to sound bitter, but when you look at it from that perspective the lines of fair and unfair are so blurred they are non-existent to those sitting on top, who are responsible and able to implement the positive change. It just isn't in their sphere of consciousness...it's wrong and it's sad, but it is also the base nature of any highly successful company.
I'm a college student and when I got the flu this year (not swine flu), I took two exams even though I had a fever of 102. The two people that sit on either side of me in my music class have been absent since. Now imagine what would happen if a Walmart cashier had the same flu and showed up to work because they needed the money.
All jobs, especially service jobs like cashiering, need paid sick days.
of all the jobs I have held that are on a comparable pay scale to a typical Wal-Mart employee, none of mine had a policy nearly as generous as Wal-Mart's, and that's with those "points" that cause "fear and dread". I think the policy is appropriate considering it is a customer service industry. I might believe differently if it was a skilled position where more benefits are warranted. I also believe that there shouldn't be mandatory paid sick leave and that Congress should stay out of payroll policy except for maintaining a minimum wage.
I am a long time Walmart associate and I just wanted say that we were told about 4 weeks ago that anyone with the swine flu or caring for a family member with swine flu would not count against their attendance. Also Walmart's attendance policy is very generous for a company that large
I do think that Wal-Mart treats its employees unfairly. However, I don't think its the government's job to fix it. I am in favor of government expansion in certain areas, but not in every little thing.
@SerenaDante@xanga - Exactly. That being said, shop at Target instead.
@imTHEmeowMIXcat@xanga - I was one of those Walmart employees....I actually just got fired for not coming into work...I had been hospitalized Friday, January 29, 2010 and released Sunday, January31, 2010. What was I treated for? FLU #type A#, DEHYDRATION, LOW POTASSIUM....I was so exausted that I could barely walk or eat. I am a single mother, student and 'was' working at Walmart to make ends meet. I pushed myself and went to work even though I was ill because I was fearful of losing my job. One morning I threw up on myself in my car in the parking lot of Walmart before I even got inside for work...I knew I needed to go home..and started to.. Then I called and talked to a manager about whether or not I would be fired if I went on home...he, A MANAGER, told me to go ahead and clock in for a few hours and my job could be spared...I worked with spots of vomit on my shirt. He was told that I had vomited and it had gotten on my work clothes..I live a town away..couldn't change and be back in time..I was already late. He never even offered me another WORK SHIRT. and he didn't seem bothered. He acted like he was doing me a favor!
I began feeling ill weeks before being hospitalized, but I had reached my "D-Day" meaning one more absense and I was fired. The day I got out of the hospital I called work. Then had to call again the next day to talk to the store manager, which was Monday, February 1st, 2010 and asked where I stood, whereas I had a written DOCTORS ORDER to be excused through the 3rd of February..and they were given a copy of my HOSPITAL RELEASE FORM that stated I was 'STILL CONTAGIOUS'...with..the flu...yet, over the phone she said that according to 'policy', since I'd already had my "decision day"...my 'position would be gone'...flustered I said, even though I'm CONTAGIOUS, and you have hospital forms and everything? she replied "yes" so to clarify I asked in other words "does this mean I am no longer employed there?" and she replied, "yes. I'm sorry. Bye"
And to add to that, I hadn't gotten any flu shots...because I always get feverish and ill from innoculations. I was too scared the shot would make me ill and I would be FIRED. #none of my children's illnesses were ever excused, even though the preschool itself called me at work before to come and pick my son up...they knew I was being truthful..just didn't care..#
I know I had to have made so many people sick in a desperate attempt to keep my job..I'm a single mother, who is not done with college yet..I'm working for my degree in Pharmaceutical studies. My boys, 2 and 5 years old, depend on me having a job to continue to give them what they need and want.
I stressed my body so bad, I had to be hospitalized. It took 3 different people to try and get an IV in my body to give me fluids....and NONE of the MANAGEMENT even asked if I was OK when I spoke with them over the phone.
That place is absolutely horrible in my eyes. The corrupt immoral way they treated me, #and I know have treated others# is REPULSIVE. Why should Walmart be able to make LIFE decisions CONCERNING EVERYONE who shops in their stores and WORKS there...how are they above DOCTORS?
I'm lost here.....I'm still so angry I have refused to go and sign my final discharge papers for fear I will not keep my cool.
SO, ANYONE WANT TO GO APPLY AT WALMART?????????????????????????????
OR SHOP THERE??? YOUR CASHIER MAY BE VERY ILL....AND THE ONLY ONE WHO DOESN'T KNOW IT MAY BE YOU.....HOW DOES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL FELLOW AMERICANS???????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!