Wal-Mart tightens screws on it's workers

[donsu]

http://heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050809/BUSINESS/508090471

Wal-Mart rattles local workers

Some are quitting, rather than accept fewer hours and the potential loss of health benefits.
---------

A push to match customer traffic with an on-duty work force is costing some Wal-Mart employees their full-time status, limiting their benefits and shaking up staff at the local stores of the world's largest retailer.

Wal-Mart employees in Southwest Florida said their work schedules are now being created through a computer system directed by the Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer's corporate office.

A spokesman for Wal-Mart insisted that there was no big change happening, just a "re-emphasis" on making sure that there are sufficient associates on hand during traditionally busy shopping times.

But some employees at local stores said they were told in individual meetings with management recently that their work hours would change in accordance with the needs that the computer spit out.

The results for some have been shrunken schedules and jeopardized benefits. That's left some workers wondering whether they can afford to continue to work for America's low-cost leader.
-snip-
---------------------------------


america is a crime scene

[tanyev]

1. Surprise, surprise, surprise.

Not.

[JHB]

2. Yeah, it's all the computer's fault...

Not like there's any value in having employees who can feel the least bit secure of what their schedule will be, and how much money they'll be paid. Heaven forbit the company swallow a little cost just to make sure they're properly staffed.


And dollars to doughnuts the computer will "just happen" to calculate that any union organizer or known sympathizer will find his or her hours reduced.

[Ready4Change]

3. Is there ANY company/department that ISN'T tightening screws?

Last place I worked, for a great many years, was CONTINOUSLY tightening screws, declaring distaster was just around the corner, etc... Was so constant that it became crying wolf. So much so that when the situation really WAS bad, no one paid attention until the layoffs began.

I've come to the conclusion it is a management technique. Light the fire of fear of job loss to whip employees into giving 110%. All for the holy grail of stock values and bond ratings.

Meanwhile, employees become stressed out, wages drop, brain drain occurs as the smart employees bail out, and work loads for the loyal few go right through the roof.

And THEN the layoffs come, and they wonder why people go postal?

I'd give my left arm to work at a place that uses hope rather than fear to inspire it's employees. And, er, doesn't need me to use my left arm. ;)

[louis-t]

4. This move for "the benefit of our customers"

will save Wal-Mart millions. Anytime a big corporation says "our customers want more convenient packaging (20 teabags instead of 24 for the same price), or they are cutting employee hours so they can have more people on the job, they are lying through their caviar- stained teeth.

[TheFarseer]

5. Seems to me that would mean more hours for everyone

there's only about a 35 minute wait at the checkout no matter what time you are there. I've waited 25 minutes to check out at 2 in the morning (no kidding) But somehow more people to check you out doesn't make sense. Although, maybe everything is automatic by now, I haven't actually set foot in a Walmart in months.

[wli]

6. screws are tightening across the board

Corporate fascists: 296 million
American workers: 0

[DeepModem Mom]

7. Thanks for posting this from Florida --

haven't seen this info elsewhere.

[Bamboo]

8. Just In Time Labor.

Disney World uses a computer system to schedule work called "cast deployment".Employees find out how many hours they will work and therefore the size of their paycheck with only two weeks notice.I was in a Home Depot and they have self checkout and only one cashier so I dread every trip to that store.Gas stations have suffered because pay at the pump has reduced their sales inside.Publix supermarket closed on Sundays which ended long ago,a day off was something to look forward to now it means "waiting to be paid" When I see a "help wanted" sign it means to me "we do not pay enough so prepare for lousy service" It is put on giant banners in Florida like they are proud to be sweatshops.