.....But as my cat "Smokey" will tell you; "it's also the hand that slaps me upside my head every once in a while.".
I work for Wal-Mart, and I am thankful everyday that I have the job that I do. I'll also tell you that I get paid very well for what I do. However, Wal-mart has gotten out of control. Maybe it was always that way, it has been since I've been inside. Something tells me though, that it all started going downhill when Sam died.
I could tell you stories of how some people who do exactly what I do, get paid 1/2 my hourly wage, simply because of the store that they are in. Or how they have created a culture of fear within thier facilities while at the same time telling the rest of America how great of a company Wal-mart is to work for.
In an article I read today about the raising of wages and placement of wage caps by Wal-mart Stores, Inc., I realised just how crooked this company really is. They engage non-assuming "associates" in a battle of the utmost importance..... respect. Wal-mart is too large of a company to not have union representation. There are many things that wal-mart has in place to battle the union, such as the open door policy- that encourages employees to speak thier mind. Or the management evaluation surveys-that allow us to evaluate the preformance of our managers. The list goes on and on, I could list 20 more "non-union" benefits that wal-mart offers all of it US employees, but then I would be forced to also show you how each of these "benefits", when used as intended, does nothing more than put a target on your back.
The fact of the matter is that if you are a wal-mart employee, wal-mart and wal-mart alone is in control of your career. I could go in tomarrow to find that I've been fired for a watermelon that I busted 3 weeks ago, even if it was documented and done by the book (especially if my profit-sharing was near 100% vestation), I've seen it happen to others DOZENS of times. The "book" was written by the company, and they did a damn good job at writing it. Wal-mart needs union representation and I honestly doubt that, without governmental help, there will be enough "associates" step up to the plate. Not for the "fear" but "knowing" that they will lose thier jobs.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
I worked for Sears for 18 years and quit because they started a wage cap. I always received great evaluations and top raises until they implemented this program. My last raise was 9 cents and I was told I would never get another raise - ever - unless I managed to get into management. Slim chance of that since I was a middle-aged woman of average looks and high morals. Anyway, I went home in tears and my husband was wonderful. He told me to give my notice the next day because my dignity, loyalty to the company and long years of service were worth more than 9 cents and that I shouldn't work for an organization that didn't value people's work.
I was fortunate because I had a husband with a job and we wouldn't have starved, but I feel for all the people who don't have any choice but to stay with these demoralizing companies. I did go on to find another job with a small company where I was treated very well and given good raises. I never had to work another evening, holiday or weekend either. That in itself was priceless!
Dang Stephen! I almost went to Walmart last week to apply part time for some extra money for all the extra we have on our plate this year, but now after reading your post....not so sure anymore. I also wanted to work there and be a greeter or work in lawn and garden after I retired from Shawver. Hmmmmm
I agree and have said before that Walmart has gone down hill since Sam died. How sad is that, if i'm right here, that his family took over???? Makes you wonder.....
I know I have a wonderful job where I'm at now. I love what I do and think that is the key to being happy at your job. I have great benefits which helps me look forward to a great future with Marshall and grandchildren and family, I have the utmost fabulous insurance anyone could have and you know from what we went through with Kelcy, and the pay for my age and not having a college degree is pretty damn good.
What I'm getting at is, I can overlook some of the bullshit persay that goes on at my work and look at the big picture often to motivate me to come in each day and give them my all. I feared and felt the insecurity for years when I first worked here and wondered if I was "good" enough or was I an asset to the company and did they think so. Would I be here in 5 years? I've been here for 8 and feel like I will be here for a lot longer, but like Walmart you never know.
With the pay you get at Walmart, I feel they think of you as a very good employee, but the question is....Are you happy? You have to be confident in yourself and show them the confidence to wake that family up. You know?
Anyway, good post.....
I love you Stephen!
I have thought alot about the fact that there are some problems that people face at work each day and that no matter where I am I will have those issues, it's just part of not having full control.
In my case however, it is not really "my" job or how it affects "me" that I am concerned with (for some reason I am able to get what I want from them and they treat me differently b/c of how I can manipulate around and understand what they are about). It is the other employees and some of the issues that I have watched and the down to earth good people who work and shop there, only to be exploited. All the while WM spends the money (that should go to the employees or funneled into the community)on making sure their image is held to the standard that THEY want it to be. I cannot blame someone for not agreeing with me, and saying that they save money there or that WM gives to charities. WM does good things. But WM could do so much more. And they know that for those who know the truth would never shop there again, regardless of how it affected their pocket books, so the efforts to conceal are more important to them than how the benefit in any area of society.
My problem with WM is that. The problem with my job is not how I get treated there, it is that I struggle to know that I put in my hard work to help the cause. I would work for less money to do a job that was a help to the people and future of this country, and struggle with my ability to move on to actually contributing positively to the world I live in.
Post a Comment