Wage and Hour Lawsuits against Wal-Mart Settled for over $350 Million
Published: December 30th, 2008 • Comments: 65
Last week, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. announced that they have agreed to pay between $352 million and $640 million to settle 63 wage and hour lawsuits filed against the retailer in 42 different states. The lawsuits accused the company of cheating hourly workers by forcing them to work through breaks and not paying them for overtime.
The wage and hour violation settlement may set a new standard for other companies who have been failing to pay employees according to the requirements of federal labor laws.
In recent years, federal court wage and hour class action filings have surpassed employment discrimination class actions, with claims involving issues such as misclassifying employees as salaried or independent contractors, failing to pay for “off-the-clock” work or on-duty meal breaks, denied reimbursements and miscalculation of commissions and bonuses.
Class action wage and hour lawsuits against Wal-Mart have generated a significant amount of media attention, as the retailer is the largest private employer in the world. The company has lost high profile lawsuits over wage violations in California in 2005 and Pennsylvania in 2006, which resulted in verdicts of $172 million and $78 million respectively for Walmart employees in each state.
Earlier this month, Wal-mart agreed to pay $54.3 million to settle a wage and hour class action lawsuit brought on behalf of workers in Minnesota, after a judge found that the company had violated wage and hour laws more than 2 million times.
Under the terms of this latest settlement, current and former employees in 42 states will receive at least $352 million, and the payments could reach $640 million, depending on the number of claims submitted by affected workers.
According to the New York Times, the Walmart settlement resolves all but 12 pending wage and hour lawsuits against the company. Some advocacy groups have suggested that Walmart settled the claims to avoid becoming the target of increased wage and hour enforcement that is expected under the Obama administration.
Comment by Jeff on 30 December 2008:
Years ago I worked as an hourly and non-exempt employee at McDonalds hamburger. Since I was working nearly 60 hours a week, the company offered me a raise and also to make me a salaried or exempt employee so that they wouldn’t have to pay the overtime. I refused the “promotion” and remained an hourly employee with the lower rate.
I don’t have sympathy for employees who accept the higher rate of an exempt employee and then also want the benefits of being a non-exempt employee.
This is an example of ignorant employees who can’t do the math so see if the promotion is really what it seems to be. It is also an exemple of government intervention when a company is forced to pay employees for money they chose not to earn. Hopefully the government is using the lower rate to “repay” these idiots.
Comment by Angry on 31 March 2009:
Does anyone know the name of the firm or attorney handling this suit? My son is in the same boat and we are currently seeking legal counsel.
Any 411 would be appreciated!
thanks
Comment by Andrea on 5 May 2009:
I worked for walmart from August of 1996, to October of 1999,and I hardly ever got my breaks,
Comment by Laura on 27 May 2009:
I was an asset protection associate, on my day off i came to my store {with my 4 kids on the way to the movie} I spotted a shoplifter and notified managment. we saved $177.00 from getting away. The responding mgr put 15 mins on my pay. As I was leaving she got a call about another shoplifter and told me to go help her. I paused but complyed because of her temper and didn’t want to be fired for not doing it. this happened 3-16-09 I was fired 4-29-09
Comment by jay on 3 July 2009:
i have worked for wal mart for over three years and well its the best place ive ever worked u get great benifits and a great chance to advance so what ever u money hungry people are saying well i dont believe you and everone at my store too. walmart helps the people in need especially there associates
Comment by rebekka on 4 August 2009:
I currently work for Wal-Mart, and think it is the worst place to work, ever. I was hired in for Electronics dept, making $7.60 ( electronics has the second highest pay grade ) but moved up front, & they dropped me $.20, but started my friend, who is male, at $7.70, who is also working up front. I think this is completely wrong! I had more retail/cashier experience than he had. Front end is low on the pay scale, so it is very unfair that they started him out more than me, when I was in a posistion that was higher on the scale, and also drop me $.20 when changing posistions. It may just be my store, but all the managers are horrible to work with. They’re may be two half way decent managers there, I can never get any days I ask for off. I asked of my college orientation, which was scheduled for 9am & told my manager if he wanted to work me for him to work me after 1pm cause I had my orientation at 9, after knowing that, he schedules me 9-1, what a douche.
Comment by Mike on 4 August 2009:
There is a Class Action Law Suit Against Wal-Mart in Illinois for wage, rest breaks, and meal breaks, which both my wife and received forms to fill out if we want to be a part of it. My wife threw hers away and begged me to throw mine away. I refused, only believing that Wal-Mart deserves to pay it’s employees what is owed. My wife has worked there for 5 years, while I only worked there for 1 between 2004 and 2005. My question is: If I had gone through with filling out the forms and entered the suit, would she get fired by Wal-Mart?
Comment by Jenn on 11 August 2009:
I worked at Wal-Mart a couple years ago in IL and so did my friend. I’ve moved about 4 times since then so I didn’t get anything in the mail but she did (that’s how I found out) but I can’t seem to find any information online about it. Only about the lawsuit in Washington. I was constantly stuck working off the clock. I worked over-night, and if 1 day I was stuck later, the next night I would wait to clock in but yet was demanded that I had to be in for the meeting as well as had the other electronics people telling me what to do for the night. If I was on lunch and someone needed a TV found because ‘it says we have 5, where are they?!’ (our tv count was always off) I was always stuck having to go look for it
Comment by FREDA on 24 August 2009:
I WORKED AT WALMART FOR ALL OF 90 DAYS. I HATED WORKING AT WALMART MY BREAKS WERE NEVER ON TIME AND I ALWAYS HAD TO WORK OVER..MY SCHEDULE WAS NEVER THE SAME.I HAVE ALSO MOVED SEVERAL TIMES AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING IN THE MAIL.PLEASE CONTACT ME BY EMAIL…THANKS
Comment by Nora on 25 August 2009:
II work for Walmart from 10/2002 to 08/2006 – New Port Richey Fl
The managers force myself to work during break times off the
clock and sometines during my lunch hours, principal on Saturdays
and Sundays, I never received info regarding the Law suit against Walmart, I need to participate
Comment by kelly on 28 August 2009:
Yes everything people say about Wal-mart is correct in some cases I worked off the clock and my time was put on the following week, so they didn’t have to pay me overtime and there was alot of time that I had to clock out because I was over on hours and I didn’t want to get in trouble for being over, and we were locked in with no way out till the morning manager wasn’t there to let me out and some mornings we were all waiting off the clock at the doors, cause the bakery manager was late and we were not paid because they said we should of stayed working and I filled out the form along time ago for the class action lawsuit and I never heard anything back… People that say they treat their people good I never had any problems with them other than my son is a severe chronic asmtmatic and the store coach told me that I had to give at least 2 weeks in advance notice when he was going to be sick for FMLA I was wrote up for missing 3 days on account of his illness… I contacted Wal-mart ethic group and I wasn’t very smart, since I returned my write up to the store manager and he ripped it up… I was also told during one of my pregnacy that i fI couldn’t perform my normal duties then I couldn’t work and so I continued to do my activities and I eventually lost my baby, but I was not able to determnine the cause of death, since they baby was missing during my DNC I believe in my heart that it was due to my working conditions…. I currently work for an awesome company… I wish I wouldn’t have waisted almost 12 1/2 years of my life working for that horrible company, cause if people think their a great company they should look into fotune 500 companies, because they do treat their people with the utmost respect… Good luck to all of you who still work for the company or for the rest of you that patronize them!!!
Comment by Lisa on 31 August 2009:
Hi I have worked for Wal-Mart for 3 years as a supervisor. Never did I get 2 breaks or lunches on time!!!!
Comment by sharon on 10 September 2009:
I worked for Walmarts in De Ridder louisiana I was called off my break many times and never gave them a problem I worked produce without a break alot of times because I didnt have help I worked the same job as two or three people had too by myself Then when i got hurt I was treated with so much disrespect I worked Produce ; ICS grocery Dairy grocery assc. I was hurt in may of 2007 i had to leave Walmarts finnally in May 2009 Walmarts showed know compassion for me ;now I am hurt where I can’t hold up to a job I WAS ONE OF the strongest workers they had I HAD ONE MANAGER WHO CARE ABOUT ME AND TRYED TO HALP ME and SHE KNOWS WHO SHE IS I THANK HER FOR THAT AFTER TWO SURGERIES MY LIFE IS STILL IN RUINS
Comment by Michelle on 23 September 2009:
I filled out the lawsuit papers and was jus wondering when will I recieve my check. Walmart is a very terrible company or iit jus the management in st louis mo.. I can remember exactly days and times I work off the clock in which they say you shouldnot But would order you to do so after you tell them your on lunch
Comment by Stacie on 24 September 2009:
I was the named plantiff in the case against wal-mart in the Texas Courts. Today my husband recieved paperwork to get his part of the settlement but when I called wal-mart they could not even find me in the system and I worked there for almost 3 years! Does anyone know who the attorney for Texas is so that I can contact them and find out what I need to do?
Comment by clay on 1 October 2009:
I worked for walmart for over 14 years as loss prevention team leader.
Please believe that what these lawsiuts state is absolutely true. I could literally tell hunderds of occations when hourlies were cheated out of proper lunch/break/ or o.t. Does anyone know when the checks from the suits are coming in? thanks
Comment by Amanda on 5 October 2009:
*** Taken directly from the information packet ***
October, 19 2009 the court will conduct a hearing to determine whether to grant final approval of the Proposed Settlement ( the “Final Approval Hearing” ).
If the Court approves the Proposed Settlement, Class Member Claims will be paid as soon as practicable after any appeals of such Final Approval Order have been resolved without possibility of further review.
______________________
I was eight months pregnant, ( Wal-mart hired me knowing this ) forced to stand on those worthless rubber mats for five or seven hours at a time. No stool, no chair and I was reprimanded relentlessly for leaning on the wall next to the register. I had maybe half of the breaks I was supposed to have, and it got to the point that I just stopped showing up for work because I was in so much pain from the waist down it just wasn’t worth it. The managers are almost never available and only show up when it’s time to count drawers or move you to another register. Complaints fell on deaf ears.
I filled out the short form and mailed it out this morning. They mail the packet to the address you used while working at the store. Please read more about class action lawsuits. I joined because I truly believe I would have stayed a loyal employee IF I had been given all breaks and for the entire break period.
Comment by patricia on 23 November 2009:
i was made to have things done prior to clocking in or after clock out stay and finsh my job…. many times clocking out for lunch and still work and use other sign ons to make the job task able to be preformed
Comment by Steve on 26 November 2009:
I just started stocking at wal-mart in foods, they have already kept me for over time and made me unload trucks which is recieving. It seems I work the hardest out of everyone on the crew yesterday…I almost worked through my lunch and only took one break for a 9 hour day..and that was my first day off of the CBL’s I am not going to break my back for a company that has no care about me personally…They just need more people doing less work..Fuck wal-mart..its only good for old people that want to talk with there friends in the store..if your young they will use you like a mule…get as much work out of you and then can you. maybe this is not true with all stores, but wal-mart is corporate not franchise..so i am sure they are all prity similar
Comment by Virginia on 30 November 2009:
i worked for walmart in fabrics and crafts, everytime i went for break or lunch they would start paging me for customer assitance, i couldnt handle it and would get up and go to fabrics to assist customers.
Comment by latoya on 30 November 2009:
well ive wirked for walmart at least 3 times and the pay is ridiculous they cheat you out of everything but they work you like a human dog at first you would have thought walmart was the place to work but along the years after sam walton pass away the company got greedy they aren’t about helping people anymore only helping themselves even management do you any kind of way but i joined in on the class action lawsuit because i have been cheated numorous times not having a break working through my breaks because the manager wanted the dept filled and stocked so it is good somebody putting a stop to the way walmart treats people.
Comment by Tracie on 2 December 2009:
I worked at walmart from 1995 to 2001. I remember times when I had to work without breaks and lunch break. So I think they should have went back a little farther on that date.
Comment by carl on 3 December 2009:
i work 10 years im deaf no interpeter in danvers mass i work overtime and no break , ileft january 2008 i had no reason got me fired one person big mouth not fair i work hard 10 years thank one person i dont return to work no thank
Comment by Michelle on 7 December 2009:
I work for walmart from May 14 2002 till present I have to say in the first 5 years I used to get my breaks on time or at least get them but the past two years I haven’t been getting them on time or not getting them at all the store has went down hill. I used to work every friday sat by myself in a service area never get my lunch untill my lock out no breaks its been really rough they gave me a d-day because I haven’t been coming in because I’m tired of being made to stay past my time and no breaks I have complained about other issues nothing was done I had to talk to five managers to get a red book done on a guy that worked back there he was my supervisor my new supervisor takes 7 to 10 breaks besides the ones we’re allowed the ones we’re allowed she takes 30 mintues before i can even go I’m left to cover it by myself she leaves when its my time to go home so im stuck there I feel trapped they said i can’t move they said i need to talk to a manager about the breaks I said i have emails so we’ll see what happens tomorrow when i get there I may not work there anymore
Comment by zareatha on 10 December 2009:
i worked for wal-mart for i guess about 3 months and it was hell i worked overtime and did,nt get payed for it and i all so woked pass my break time and did,nt get payed for it. i was a cashier there i got fired because i let my daughter use my disscount card they did,nt explain to me that i was not suppose to let her use it and then one day they call me in and told me that i was fired i don,t think that they were right. then they tryed to make me say that she was,ent my daughter.
Comment by Laura on 11 December 2009:
i used to work at walmart from jan 8 2007 thru july 12 2009….i have hearing impaired and never in my life ever heard of open door policy and second chance…. well, the night i quit because of lack of help from assistant manager in garden center, assist manager and i got into an agruement right in front of the customer, the manager was in the wrong start out with, but what the manager said toward me in front of new customer, i had enough with their disrespect… now, trying to get my job back after new store manager for my second chance, was turned down cause of the statement in my file ( they dont even have any statement from my side of story, only from assistant manager)… i am working on filing lawsuit against walmart because i have hearing impaired and being treated disrespect from the assistant manager… i will win this case very soon.. i am not giving up.. what walmart did to me was very wrong
Comment by Justin on 15 December 2009:
i just want to know when the settlement checks will be mailed out. they are not communicating at all when they will be. i heard before christmas. is this true?
Comment by gina on 19 December 2009:
wondering when im gonna get my check its been a long time coming
Comment by john on 21 December 2009:
My husband worked for Wal-mart as well during that time frame and we have not heard anything as of yet. We live in Florida and would like to know when we can expect to hear something about this settlement.
Comment by maria on 22 December 2009:
I worked for wal-mart for 12 years, as an OTC mgr and head Tech, we ate while working, came in early worked off the clock, left late working off the clock. Why you may ask.. lots of work and not enough help.. and I had 3 children to care for. I too would like to know when we will be getting that check. Unfortunately all we can do is ask questions and get no answers.
Comment by indra on 22 December 2009:
well i worked for wally world for 5 WHOLE WASTED YEARS. I was never late or never called off . There’s been dozens of times i was paged while on break by management for little things that they could have covered while i took my break/lunch. I think its one of the worst company to work for cause of their unfairness to their employees. I got almost a whole .45 cnts raise total for a 5yr. period of working for that lousy company . WALL MART SUCKS CAUSE THEY DONT TREAT THEIR EMPLOYEES WITH DIGNITY & RESPECT . Good luck to all of you current employees ! ! !
Comment by paula on 24 December 2009:
I worked for sam’s club a walmart company for 9 months and it was the worst place i ever worked for. i was denied breaks many times. i was kept in a room until i wrote an apology for behaviior that i did not do and many numerous things went on that no one ever seen.
Comment by john on 26 December 2009:
i worked for walmart from sept. 93 to jan. 99 in TLE we was always short handed had 3 guys to work on anywhere from 10 to 50 cars a day. breaks lunch what was that. we didnt get to have that. when you have cars backed up and customer’s complaining why my car isnt done yet. it was just crazy.i received a letter about the lawsuit in july 2009. we moved 2 months afterwards but i havent heard anything yet and can not find paperwork on who the lawyer was. any one know who the lawyer is that is handling the florida walmart stores.
Comment by sharon on 27 December 2009:
Greetings;
I to have worked at Wal-mart and was told by management not to socialize with the customers. How are we to greet customers and help them in everyway possible if the staff was not to socialize with them.?? Wal-mart made me come back to work way to early after being hurt on the clock. ( i was told to clean out the refrig. using a powerful cleaner with no air circulation and my lungs were burned shortly after that.Had to go to hospital) Doctor said no work for 2 months and I was off for three weeks or I would get fired. I loved the associated I worked with cause we all were in a boat and had to keep our jobs. Many times no lunches or breaks… thanks, sharon
Comment by Brian on 1 January 2010:
i worked in the tle dept for walmart and never got anything about the lawsuit and i remember working through my breaks a lot or being called back because we were shorthanded and i am a bit perturbed that i didn’t get anything on this lawsuit which left me knowing nothing till now
Comment by David on 7 January 2010:
After I retired,I went to work for Wal-Mart in the electronics department.I have worked union for most of my life,and how I lasted for one year with them is beyond my understanding.Wal-Mart is simply the worst company with labor relations I believe I have ever seen!They have no seniority,fire people for no apparent reason,make no attempt to help employees with any issues.They blow smoke up the Assocites arses about how good Wal-Mart treats them,Grass Roots they call it.They handle overtime,by making you work under on another day,so you don’t go over 40hours,which I refused to do. You are forced to go to meetings on your days off,which I refused to do. I was told by other employees that they used to make you work over 8 hours,off the clock,and if you didn’t comply,you were gone!When a Wal-Mart in Canada went union,the store was closed immediately.When this class act settlement letter was sent to Wal-Mart employees,many went crying to the mangers saying they wanted to not accept the checks from the settlement,and if there was anything they could do to help against the settlement.You talk about brown-nosers and arse kissers.I simply couldn’t believe how brainwashed they were.I had several run ins with managers,and managed to not get fired.I’ve never been one to mince words,and I told managers what was on my mind straight up.The store manger liked me,as he was an ex-Marine like I was.The experience I had at Wal-Mart was was a real eye opener.Big business uses every underhanded tactic to deal with employees,and Wal-Mart is the worst there is.I can’t wait to get my settlement check at Wal-Marts expense,and I hope they keep right on getting sued,as they are simply the most greedy,employee abusers on the face of the planet.Do I dislike Wal-Mart and their under handed tactics…you bet I do!!! I lasted a year with them,and never once did I comply with any of their bull crap.
Comment by Tony on 8 January 2010:
My son was injuried at work at Walmart.A good worker,never late or took a sick day in 9 yrs! He went to their docter and was told he could not be a greeter.They told him he has to be a greeter!!!Saying we dont have to listen to their doctor!His normal duties are office associate.He tried to be a greeter and was hurting,so a assistant manager started harassing him saying he needed to be coached!!!Pulled him in the office intimidated him,threatening him,that he had no workmans comp.claim.I find this very disturbing behavior!My son has a 4 yr.degree in science,and was never promoted.I plan to sue these ass.managers personally’This is a on going matter.
Comment by evelyn on 11 January 2010:
i recieved a letter from a company months ago about walmart class action sue to sign papers and return them before sept. 2009 a w2 form stating im resposable for my taxes and i never heard any thing else i worked for walmart in 1999 and went back to work for them in 2002 all togehter 4 years in orlando fla i have since moved but i had my address changed still no word and its 2010 now
Comment by Danny on 11 January 2010:
I contacted the firm in charge of the walmart lawsuit, and was told that checks will start to go out between January 2010- March 2010….watch your mailboxes!!!!
Comment by Jennifer on 12 January 2010:
I was just told that a Wal-Mart rep said that the checks are being mailed out now till March 2010. So watch your mailboxes, everyone! I’m def looking forward to mine! I think Wal-Mart should think twice about lunches and breaks now! It’s all well deserved to everyone in my book! Good luck! AND A BIG THANK YOU TO WHOMEVER STARTED THIS!!!
Comment by cassandra on 12 January 2010:
I worked for Sam’s Club in Lima Ohio. Two years after I was there and was working in the Meat Department my back a sustained serious damage from all the lifting that I did. As a result i had to have surgery. the company gave me no sympathy. I had a hard time with the paperwork i had to fill out for time off. even when I was able to go back to work I was to do light duty of lifting of only twenty-five pounds for six weeks. but that only happened for twop weeks. I was given a hardtime noone would helpme if i needed it. by the third week i was back to doing exactly the same things that caused my back problems. also by the third day i was back i was called to the office and reprimanded for saying something that i never did. I told the head manager that if i truelly hated my job then i would never have come back after the doctor said i could after the surgery. I am not saying Wal-mart is all bad I am just saying they need to step back and see exactly hopw we as associates are being treated.
Comment by JAMES on 14 January 2010:
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANYONE HAS A PHONE# OR THE
NAME OF THE LAW FIRM HANDLEING THE CASES.
I’M FROM N.C.
Comment by Robert on 15 January 2010:
I have worked for Wal-Mart for 1 1/2 years. Was promoted to hourly supervisor after 90 day probation period. I was not into the hate game of Wal-Mart and found a lot of employees were bitter when i arrived. I worked hard as a “sales associate” just because this was a temporary job and working hard would make the day move fast. Being promoted made me question the fact was this a job to stay with , and should I look into maybe trying to promote further. In the 1 1/2 years i have worked there (and still do) I have seen that it is a Do or Don’t way of retailing. I was told it was our market/ store that was carrying the “get down and give me 20″ feel of management. I recall when our new Co-Manager came on the whole store excluding the ones on evening shift were coached and wrote up. This is how direction would start to come and fall upon us in the future. When management would hand out morning walks / notes they would tell you do this now do it today, or your going to get coached. In my personal opinion, they gave every one a lock down feel of the coach procedures. If you work or ever have worked for Wal-Mart you know its a firm 3 strikes your out. Putting everyone on the border lines of termination they would constantly put every one on you might be the next to go. The only thing i saw when it came to hours and over time is a constant cutting back. They would tell you, you must work late today to get this project done. But by the end of the week you had to cut over time in a lunch break and or clock out early before Friday. If this is against the law which I honestly do not know, then they are guilty. Regarding to working off the clock, they enforce termination for that. Maybe its the store Manager who is responsible for this? I do know a Store Manager will go as far and as rough as the Market Manager above him makes it. If there was ever a Law against making an employee feel stupid for working hard but not hard enough, twisting answers for responsibilities by saying “there are no excuses” publicly pushing managers in meetings, being threatened in verbal ways “shall i break your neck now or later”, then i would love to see justice come from that. In my opinion Wal-Mart is by far one of the worst companies to work for as an hourly associate. We who have worked there know that how i speak of the treatment in my store is how a salary member of Management gets treated. Since the days Sam was alive. I also know as a salary member you are also paid well for the abuse. I guess this was my Vent, Good Luck to those who are still employed and have no options out.
Comment by chris on 15 January 2010:
I call the firm that they don’t kn ow when they will sent out the checks.
She told the might that few more months. She said that they have wait 60 days for their can start look at people case.she said Jan 16 will be 60 days up thenthe can go back to the company to check if we have a case wikth this lawsuit.
Comment by maria on 15 January 2010:
Thank you for the info..sure am looking forward to mine. Did they happen to say if the checks were being send out by SS# ,state or any other, to narrow down when you might get payment ?
Comment by christina on 20 January 2010:
I talked to the lawer. she told me that no checks be send out . she said it will few months. I sorry for the bad news.
Comment by maria on 22 January 2010:
My heart sank when I read that. So many bills and not enough money.
When it gets here it’ll be a blessing
Comment by Vickey on 26 January 2010:
I worked for Walmart in 1995 untill 1996, I worked several times off the clock, and worked without many breaks. I have remarried and my address changed since then how do I know if I have a claim or not.
Comment by Melba on 28 January 2010:
I worked for 2 different Wa-Marts Here in Iowa. The one would make us clock out and be locked in the store tell everyone was done. sometime up to 4 hrs at a time.. The other one I was lucky to get a break..lol good luck….
Comment by Sharlena on 29 January 2010:
I started off in marketing for Sam’s club. After 6months I was transfered to the front end of the club as a COS (front end supervisor). I was in this possition for 1 1/2 yrs. Last October I was diagnosed with Lumbar Scoliosis. I was taking off of work for 3 days and returned to work on light restrictions. My company tried to force me into taking FMLA or personal leave. They stated that we do not cater to restrictions. Is’nt that stating that Walmart doesnt work with handicap associates. I fought them and refused to go on leave because I was capable, willing, and ready to work. Since I was able to work and they werent giving me any work I believe to be layed off. I filed for unemployment and found out that Walmart/ Sam’s club turned into the government that I volintarilly quit and did a no call no show for three days. I was on Fmla at the time. Of course the state approved my unemployment because I had documentation to prove my case. Now the company is and has been discriminated my handicap. During one of my visits to the club, the store manager told another employee not to talk to me. well it was stated ” there are some enployees that you want to talk to and there are some you should not if you value your job. This company has done nothing for me in my time of need axcept tryen to pin me to the wall. I too have had many of shifts were my break has not been covered for me. does anyone have any suggestions????
Comment by John on 30 January 2010:
I work for walmart and was asked to perform another job duty and they never paid me for doing the job. I worked extra hours and feel used. Walmart is know for using people
Comment by Anthony on 1 February 2010:
I WORKED FOR WAL-MART IN FLORIDA FOR 9 MONTHS AND DECIDED TO MOVE TO TENN. WHEN I APPLIED FOR A TRANSFER I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE A 1.80 CUT PER HOUR BECAUSE YOU DIDN’T
NEED THAT MUCH TO LIVE IN TENN. AFTER WORKING AT THE TENN. STORE FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS I WAS FIRED FOR COMMING BACK
FROM LUNCH 5 MIN. LATE.WAL-MART SAID IT WAS FOR MISCONDUCT.
UNEMPLOYMENT SAID THERE WAS NO MISCONDUCT AND I COULD
MAKE A CLAIM. I’D RATHER WORK IT HAS CAUSED A LOT OF HARD TIMES AND PROBLEMS FOR ME AND MY FAMILY .WHEN THEY FIRST FIRED ME I WAS TOLD NOT TO TRY TO COLLECT BECAUSE WAL-MART
ALWAYS WINS. I DON’T THINK IT’S RIGHT FOR WAL-MART TO PLAY GOD WITH THEIR EMPLOYEES LIFES. THEY SHOULD BE MADE TO PAY
FOR THEIR ACTS . THIS LAWSUITE AND WHAT WAL-MART WILL PAY
OUT IS NOTHING COMPARED TO THE HEARTACHE THEY HAVE GIVEN
TO THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO PUT THEIR TRUST IN THEM. AND AS
FAR AS THE OWNERS THEY ARE SO RICH THAT THEY COULDN’T CARE WHAT GOES ON IN THE STORES AS LONG AS THEYKEEP GETTING THE BILLIONS AND BILLIONS . AFTER ALL WHEN THE HEAD
CEO CAN MAKE 26 MILLION A YEAR AND YOUR PAYING 13.000 ON THE AVERAGE YEARLY TO YOUR EMPLOYEES WHY SHOULD YOU
WORRY?
Comment by Ashley on 1 February 2010:
They are trying to get rid of the older associates that worked there 15 years and when sam was alive. My mom worked with them 20 years. She ended up getting sick and when she told them she needed days off and requested them 3 months in advance they did not give them to her once she ended up sick and told them she needed to go to appointments they told her basically your health or your job. She was fired in Nov 2009 She tells everyone that works there get out they are not worth your life. She is going to school now and is very happy.
Comment by Maxine on 2 February 2010:
I had called the people that sent to claim forms out, This was in october 2009, They had informed me we would receive the checks in feb, now reading all new comments, it’s a lie, My Husband says wal-mart is keeping the money in a high interest account, until they recoup what they will lose. My husband says we all should sue for interest. I know how wal-mart works, SAM is rolling in his grave. He was a fair and decent man.
Comment by chris on 5 February 2010:
I call the people that their said it has appord on it it will be few more months now it you can visit walmatmdl.com for new information. And i talk to the lawer she said no check is not go out. She said she will call me went to go to send to check out. sorry.
Comment by tim on 9 February 2010:
i was just wanted to know about, how it works. because i filled my paper out and send them back. i should be getting some money so.
Comment by Earnest on 12 February 2010:
I HAD A HEART ATTACK WHILE WORKING FOR WALMART. OVER WORKED TRYING TO GET THE JOB DONE.NO BREAKS WORKING OFF THE CLOCK SHORT LUNCHES. THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT YOU. THEY WROTE ME A WE DO NOT NEED YOU ANY MORE LETTER. AFTER I COULD NOT RETURN AND CANCEL MY INSURANCE. AFTER ALL THERE WAS NO WAY I COULD RETURN. I REALLY NEED MINE. I SURE HOPE IT IS SOON.
Comment by matisha on 22 February 2010:
i was working for walmart for the year of 2009 plz tell me what to do i got one of the papers in the mail to sue them but i didnt know what to do with it thank u
Comment by Bobbie on 22 February 2010:
When I started at Wal-mart I was vary happy. Sam was still alive and he truely meant we are family. I went from sales floor asst to dept.manager to cash office,upc & clams, to traveling to other stores checking for mistakes then to support asst. manager since our store was small my job actuality was the same as a asst manager.{only I was hourly} My Job was on the line all the time .I would work of the clock all the time too.Sam had died about 4or 5 yrs ago know. I was taught by Sam that your associates are people if you treat them with respect. You will get it back. I was always fighting for them against upper management on a lot of tihings. Then I got breast cancer and had to be gone for 1yr & 3mouths. I got my job back ,but since I could not give 120% only { 100%} I got put back to Dept Manger .They where going to drop my pay , But they now better {remember I was a fighter and that wasn’t going to happen} About 3 mouths later I had to get more surgery done , And management was writing me up for every thing. So with my health on the line I lefted. I hope we all get what they took away for us -our respect and value on life and time. Stay strong we can do it !!!
Comment by Lisa on 23 February 2010:
I worked for walmart for 3 months in 1998-99, and that was long enough. They would intentionally schedule people to close on Friday and Saturdays who they knew would call in, leaving the 4 or 5 of us who did show up to close the store. I was told by managers that the GM did that to keep payroll low so he could pad his bonus. The last night I worked was a Saturday. Several hours before closing, when it was obvious that it would be another night of the same, I clocked out, had one of the managers paged to the front, handed her my smock and badge, and told her what she could do with her crappy job. She said, “Well, I’ll have to put it down as walking out in the middle of a shift.” I said, “Good, cuz that’s what I’m doing.” She said, “Well, it means you won’t be able to come back.” I said, “Now why the hell would I want to do that?” and walked out. A satisfying end to the evening, without a doubt.
Comment by jason on 26 February 2010:
I worked for walmart in mass and I got run over by a fork truck and broke my heel.as a young man that didnt know any better, I was told that I have to take my 15 min break and put some ice on it. When I came back i wanted to go to the hospital, they told me to go back to work or they would fire me for being a insubordinate baby!
Comment by Henry on 2 March 2010:
I work at walmart now as a truck unloader and the pay is terrible i cant seem to catch a break either. My breaks are already forced to be taken after the truck is unloaded and if necessary set up for the following truck. the shift is 4 to 1 and i can find my self not geting my first break until 730ish… Just before the new overnight manager showed up i remember going to lunch at 1130 on occasion which is way against regulation. and finally i can probably go back and see that ive had more days where ive had to skip my last 15 to go home on time versus actually taking a 15 at all. The Walmart i work at sucks big time.
Comment by Karen on 3 March 2010:
Wal-Mart is still violating these policies. At the store I work in we are scheduled for at least 5 hours at a stretch with no breaks. If we take a break we are required to ask another associate from another dept to cover our breaks or lunches when no one is scheduled at all to help in your dept. Asking management to find another associate for you only results in them telling you to ask someone to do it not their doing their jobs and finding coverage.
Comment by Tracie on 5 March 2010:
I was wondering if anyone heard if we are getting anything out of this lawsuit cause I filled my papers out and haven’t heard a thing in months and sure could use the money to pay alot of bills off. I worked for Sam’s and everytime I took a break I was always called back cause lines would get back up and didn’t have enough cashier working to cover.
Comment by Randy on 11 March 2010:
Well folks it’s not just an hourly problem, salaried management works a lot more uncompensated overtime than most of them realize when you look at my salary per year it looks pretty good but when you break it down to the hours I actually spent in the store I made less per hour than most 10 year veterans. And since I was salaried who cares if I got a lunch I was always on the clock from the moment I drove on the lot. Roberts description of walmarts management style above only scratchs the surface in reality its like living in a “fascist” state, under the threat of job loss at any moment. The upper echlon use “buzz” words such as direction, expectation and accountability…just words for I’m gonna give you more work than is possibile to do and then fire you when you can’t do it if they want to. I mean look at it this way the job seeker pool has increased by a couple million people so why not take advantage to get rid of the old timers that made walmart. I have seen over the last year market managers, store managers, assistant managers and hourly supervisors all with over 20 years make the choice to retire vs. getting fired. Me… I’ve never quit anything in my life….and have always taken care of my “people”…so where does that leave me…you got it…unemployed