Why Walmart Doesn’t Work for Employees Walmart invests in bringing its customers a better life but fails to make the same investment in its employees. Walmart is “the single largest private employer in the country”, employing 1.2 million people in the U.S. alone; globally, it employs 2.2 million workers (Strachan). However, on average, Walmart pays its associates $8.81 an hour, about $15,576 a year, and according to the company, a majority of its employees make a yearly wage of less than $25,000 (“Top Reasons”). This leaves many employees earning “less than two-thirds below the poverty line for a family of four” and qualifying for public assistance provided by the United States government (“Top Reasons”). In addition to this, Walmart defines
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Several court cases have been fought, seeking to change conditions for employees. Elderly and disabled employees have been forced to do heavy and discriminatory labor, women have been made to work while pregnant, and many have been put in dangerous positions. Employees have been kept at Walmart stores during hurricanes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters (Osterndorf). There has been instances where workers have forced to work through unpaid breaks and meal times, and work overtime for no additional pay (Osterndorf). Some Walmarts even practice “lock-ins” in which employees are literally locked in overnight, to ensure the employees stay at their jobs …show more content…
Women actually earn an average of $1.16 per hour less than men in the same job position, $1,100 less per year (Osterndorf). Moreover, women in salaried positions of $50,000 or more really earn $14,500 less than their male counterparts (Osterndorf). According to Drogin, female hourly employees have a higher average performance rating than male employees overall, and in 75% of higher jobs, the women perform better than the men (20). Walmart’s female employees also work an average of 1.34 more years since the date of hire than male employees (Drogin, 19). Despite both of these elements, it takes women almost twice as long to be promoted to a managerial position, and longer for their wage to
Several court cases have been fought, seeking to change conditions for employees. Elderly and disabled employees have been forced to do heavy and discriminatory labor, women have been made to work while pregnant, and many have been put in dangerous positions. Employees have been kept at Walmart stores during hurricanes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters (Osterndorf). There has been instances where workers have forced to work through unpaid breaks and meal times, and work overtime for no additional pay (Osterndorf). Some Walmarts even practice “lock-ins” in which employees are literally locked in overnight, to ensure the employees stay at their jobs …show more content…
Women actually earn an average of $1.16 per hour less than men in the same job position, $1,100 less per year (Osterndorf). Moreover, women in salaried positions of $50,000 or more really earn $14,500 less than their male counterparts (Osterndorf). According to Drogin, female hourly employees have a higher average performance rating than male employees overall, and in 75% of higher jobs, the women perform better than the men (20). Walmart’s female employees also work an average of 1.34 more years since the date of hire than male employees (Drogin, 19). Despite both of these elements, it takes women almost twice as long to be promoted to a managerial position, and longer for their wage to