Comments on: Wal-Mart CEO Answers Critics

In Exclusive Interview, Lee Scott Says People Are Attacking The Wrong Company

[strife40]

Just got in from Walmart this morning to stop and read all of the truth and real reports that CBS wouldn't run a couple of days ago. One person on this board wrote that she was glad that her husband works for Walmart. Big deal. I have worked hard and continue to work hard and I'm not a brown nose either but those people who do get ahead such as your husband or whoever are favored in some way or another. Say what you will. I'm sure there are many others out there that will agree and don't just go in to punch a clock. Walmart's arrogance in not even warning people of there jobs being taken away is downright dirty. That's not "guts enough to try something different" madam . Stop getting on the soapbox spreading your B.S. There are too many good workers out there that are down and underappreciated to just take what you say. It's people like you that make so many others of us angry with your delusions of grandure.It's just throwing people under a bus or just running over them saying as one manager put it to us in our store "if you don't like the changes you know where the door is". Change ,my dear is only good in small amounts or moderation. Especially in retail where people have more of family responsibility than say someone with no children that live in some cubicle on a computer at some big corperation everyday.

[realpeople4]

How many former Wal-Mart associates are there in the U.S.A? Of this total, what percentage are retired?

[levgar77]

I was an associate with Walmart for 8 years but recently left the company, less then a month ago. I left because of the changes made or being made. I like many associates whom been with the company that long, I had a sence of ownership. As a former Dept. Manager in several dept's, customer service has fallen by the waist side and tasks have become the most important thing. Why is Walmart trying to be like the number 2 company Target--New dress code, Blue shirts and Khaki pants--No Layaway--No Paint Dept--No Fabrics. It's also sad when you have people coming out of the training program and the Departments know more then they do. Sam Walton was on to something, I realize things have changed since but he had a simple theory--You shelve the product, at an affordable cost, give customer service, and you will successful. I realize I'm bouncing around on subjects, but what is the incentive to move up within the company. Work as an Assistant Manager, work a minimum of 50-55 hours a work and a pay that doesn't equal. And, the time away from your family--which you can't put a price on that.

[longterm2]

Wal-Mart is definitely not the same company that it was 10 years ago. I can remember when associates enjoyed coming to work and took pride in what they did. That is no longer the case anymore. Morale in our stores has been declining for several years now. People no longer feel appreciated for what they do. The so called "flights" taking place this year have made the situation worse. Long term associates are no longer appreciated for their length of service or experience. Instead, they are seen as a financial burden to the company because of higher hourly wages and more money paid out for benefits. The company would rather hire "peaktime" associates who make half the amount of money and who will have less benefit choices once they reach their elgibility date of one year. Also, the "flights" taking place will mainly effect longer term associates. It's sad when you go to work everyday wondering if your job is the next to be eliminated. I feel sorry for the accounting associates and layaway associates who have spent years thinking they were working their way up only to be demoted into lower paying pay classes. Rumor is that training coordinators are next. Lee Scott needs to realize that in order to have happy customers he will have to have happy associates. I don't agree with union representation, but if this company doesn't get a handle on alienating it's associates they are going to have big problems in the future.

[dawnylu]

I'm sorry that your views as Walmart associates are so poor. My husband's worked for Walmart for 12 years. We have TRANSFERRED with the company 5 years ago by choice and could again if we want. When they see a hard working employee that's willing to go clock in at work, and give an honest days work, they reward that. My husband is by no means a brown noser and he does expect his crew to work when they clock in, and he has their respect, and that has shown up through his evals that his crew turns in on him. I have never worked for a company that has supervisors and managers evaluated by the employees that work under them, that is a good idea Walmart, more companies should do that. Walmart has provided for our family very well. I am proud that my husband works for Walmart. I shop there for my personal shopping, as well as for the company I work for. I find there pricing and service great. I have worked in management for other large companies, new rules come down, sometimes they work well and on occasion they don't, at least Walmart's brave enough to try something new. When you stay in one place to long without change, other companies soar past you. You have to keep evolving, and no company is without flaws. But with Walmart,it's an EXCELLENT company and there's room for advancement for the ones who are willing to work for it, not just clock in.

[avalonstar]

Working for Walmart many years.. i am saddened at the changes.
The closeing of layaway and Fabrics(most stores) and soon the closing the paint and sporting goods counters i hear as well is making this onetime giant company a soon to be small fry in the retail world.
as someone said before by phasing out thier job they will get less pay with Walmarts Union type payscale.

Think about it.. they close layaway/fabrics/paint counter/sporting goods counter.. That's about 15 peoplle who will lose thier job and be absorbed into the store as a reguler worker and recive less money after thier pay is taken away from them due to thier new job code.

And the news about the new race based stores sounds crazy.. this is america and i don't feel like working in a store where everything is in spanish or some other language.
I'm not racist, in fact i am of mixed races.. but how am i supposed to work/shop in a store where i can't read the signs.

[realpeople4]

Oh yes Million Dollar Boys,

When making your UNANNOUCED SURPRISE MYSTERY VISIT, do dress as a blue collar worker, make a small purchase; bottle of water, candy bar (don't use your discount card). Stand in the longest line, listen and hear; your customers, the pages, the attitudes. Then after checking out, try and locate a CSM, or any other associate who will page a "manager" for you, tine how long the "manager's" response takes, complain - about anything (check out the bathroom's) and listen to their response.

[overthecap2]

CONTINUED............

Seriously, Lee. If you want to get a true vibe about what your associates (who are also CUSTOMERS) think about the company and its current changes and direction, you need to get out into the stores UNANNOUNCED and ask us. Specifically those of us who have 10+ years with the company. I can tell you for a fact, I won't support a company who doesn't support me. I will not buy Wal-Mart stock, and have changed my profit sharing and 401k distribution to not invest in Wal-Mart stock. I suggest others do the same.

[overthecap2]

Wal-Mart used to be a great company to work for. Now, it is awful. For us long term associates, our hard work and dedication was rewarded this summer by a pay cap. For those of us that are over the cap, we no longer get annual raises. Where is the incentive to provide this great customer service that Lee Scott wants us to give our customers? Yes, the desire to do a good job comes from within but we are given NO incentive anymore than to do the bare minimum. We can not transfer to other facilities or even change jobs in our own store. I think most of us associates over 10 years feel like we have a target on our back. It's just a matter or time before Lee Scott and Susan Chambers get rid of all of us. We work in a hostile work environment because of these changes and how they are being executed.

Why don't we leave if we aren't happy? Because I MADE this company what it is today and I shouldn't have to. I actually believed in the "Old Wal-Mart" When I was hired I was told the sky was the limit and that "our people make the difference" What a crock that turned out to be. I gave Wal-Mart the best working years of my life. It probably wouldn't be possible to start over this late in life-who is going to hire a 50+ year old woman who has worked at Wal-Mart for the past 20 years?

[realpeople4]

Dear Mr. Scott, et.,al.

I Love Betty Boop's comment.

If, I EVER saw JUST one member, just ONE member of the management team -EVER- practice the 10' Rule, to ANYONE (Customer or Associate), I would lay down and join Mr. Sam for the biggest SHOCK of MY life. Get out the defib.

Move over Jerry Springer, stop chasing Paternity Revalations, and star a show for former Wal-Mart Associates. Forecast: Make your Stock purchases (on The Springer parent company) now.