Target the same as Wal-mart

[Bluesplayer]

Target has many of the same faults as Wal-mart - both domestically and in their dealings in 3rd world countries - so why do they not attract the same negative attention?

[OhioChick]

1. Likely due

to treating their workers better is my guess.

[Bluesplayer]

4. they fired me

for having a terminal illness. I don't think that's "better".

[SeattleGirl]

9. Did they fire you, or do they have a policy that if you can't

work for a specific amount of time, they let you go? I'm sorry you lost your job; I really am. And I'm very sorry to hear you are ill.

My question is not a dig at you or your situation at all. The reason I ask is that I am a vocational rehab counselor, and deal with injured workers. Many of the companies I deal with have policies that if you are unable to return to work in three months, you are given a "medical discharge", and it applies to all employees, regardless of the physical condition that prevents the employee from working. It's perfectly legal (though I admit, it sucks for those who have lost their jobs and benefits), and something that many companies do.

[Bluesplayer]

12. it's policy

My complaint is that I am able to work from home, there is work that I am able to do from home, and they chose to let me go anyway. It was unnecessary, but it was policy.

They said that they're sorry, so I have that going for me...

[SeattleGirl]

23. I know that one too. One employer I used to do a lot of

work with was a large grocery store company. I had this one client who could not go back to his job of injury, and would never be able to. For awhile, they had him doing a light duty job, which was basically just answering the phone in the store's office. In that office was the computer where they entered the price changes for the scanners, as well as other tasks. This guy, who had never even touched a computer, thought it would be interesting to learn how to do the price changes, and other things. It was something within his physical restrictions, and he really wanted to do it. The benefits person that I worked most closely with at the store, though it was a great idea, as did I. She wanted the store to provide training for this man, so that he could continue to work in a productive way, both for him and for the company. However, the manager of the store wouldn't go for it. "It would set a precedent." Well, duh! Yes it would -- a GOOD precedent. Adapting to the needs of employees (and this man had worked for the store for 35 years!), in a way that would also benefit the company. The benefits person and I could not get the manager to budge. Bottom line, he was freakin' scared to bring the idea up to corporate headquarters. He just assumed they wouldn't go for it.

Maybe that's what's going on with Target. If so, that's unfortunate, because obviously you can still work in some capacity, and are willing to do so. Too bad I don't have any Target clients right now. I could do some "educatin'", which is really one of the biggest parts of my job.

I don't blame you for being upset with the company. They should have taken advantage of a potentially good situation, good for you and good for them.

[LostinVA]

10. If they did, that's illegal and you should sue

[Bluesplayer]

13. how is it illegal?

[IsItJustMe]

2. Cause they are not even close to the size wal-mart. You got to stay

focused man. If you start going after all of these places, you'll loose focus real quick. Keep it simple.

[SeattleGirl]

3. In what ways are they they same?

Do you have examples of the similarities. I haven't heard this before, and would be interested in know how they are similar. I don't shop Wal-Mart at all. Don't shop Target much either, mainly because I don't have a lot of money right now.

[LostinVA]

11. They are very different, SG

Just forget the way the store looks, etc.... they have a much lower turnover, pay better wages and have better benefits. And, per my textile business Dad, they are MUCH better with vendors than WM. Yes, they are a red company, but at least they treat their employees and customers pretty good... for retail.

[SeattleGirl]

24. That's what I thought, but I just wanted to ask the OP,

because if Target did do many of the same things as Wal-Mart, I would have to cross them off my list of places to shop.

[Iris]

5. Can you give some examples?

Seriously, because I've always heard that Target was a "good neighbor" sort of business. They have a program where the donate a (ok, small) percentage of Target card purchases to the school of your choice. But that's really all I know about their community involvement.

[Bluesplayer]

8. credit cards are the most profitable

part of the business. They can afford a little charity. It is deductible. They've had record sales the last few years, including consistently beating walmart in sales increases.

Target and Walmart use the same mills and factories in China, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, India, etc...

[LostinVA]

14. They are extremely different, not just shades of difference

I'm sorry that they fired you, but your claims are not accurate. I just called my Dad and he said they certainly don't use the same factories as Wal Mart. Their off-shore factories are also indepenently regulated and inspected, among other things. There's Wal-Mart, then there's Target... and K-Mart, etc. A corporation isn't a mom-and-pop place, but all corporations -- even red ones -- aren't the same.

[Bluesplayer]

16. I dealt with vendors every day

Many of them are the same as Wal-Mart's. Many are also just sales offices - middlemen - who do the deal with the store, and then use the same textile mills and factories as all the other big retailers do....

[LostinVA]

30. My father deals with Target all the time -- not Wal Mart

You are confusing third-party factories with "Wal Mart" factories -- not the ame thing. Wal Mart does indeed own their own "slave labor" factories that are NOT used by anyone.

You know what? I have alot of compassion for your employment situation. It sucks. I've known other people this has happened to. But, coming into a public board and basically doing whatever it is you're doing is wrong.

[Bluesplayer]

33. thanks

[unblock]

6. because wal-mart is the driving force in all this.

target is only trying to keep up and stay competitive.

wal-mart is big enough to move the entire retail market, which is yet another reason to loathe wal-mart. they are a monopsonist in the sense that if you want to be a successful manufacturer of retail goods, you have little choice but to try to sell through wal-mart.

this means that all the problems monopolies create as single-suppliers, wal-mart is creating as a single-buyer.

[madrchsod]

18. if you sell to walmart

they come in and basically run your business. they set up production and shipping schedules if you miss you don`t get another contract...oh yes there is the reduction of 2 or so % each year...

[bloom]

7. I don't think they have the clout

to put manufacturers out of business for not following along with the price points, etc. like Walmart does.

I don't think Targets tend to put local businesses out of business like Walmart does - maybe part of that is that they don't "target" the smaller towns where those businesses would be vulnerable.

So there have been several documentaries documenting this. I don't think one could be done that would show Target in the same light/at nearly the same level of impact.

[LostinVA]

15. They don't -- my Dad is in the textile business and is extremely

critical of Wal Mart, and has been since the 80's. I called him just a bit ago when I read this thread... and he said comparing WM and Target is like comparing Bush and the grouchy old man in the neighborhood.

[Bluesplayer]

22. Target and Wal-Mart

are the reasons that your Dad is one of the few people remaining in the American textile industry.

[LostinVA]

28. You don't need to preaching tO ME about this

I know about a million times more than you about this. And... you're wrong. It's about every single corporation in America's fault, so boycott every single damn one of them.

WAL MART started this in the 80's, ans did Nike and Levis. They started the exodus.

My Dad has lost many jobs over the years, and luckily does something very unusual, so he always gets jobs. Of course, he has no pension, and will probably work until the day he dies. KNow who he blames? Mainly the government, for allowing this to continue... but he considers THE main corporate culprit WM. He still deals with Target, Levi, etc., because there business practices are above board,a nd they treat vendors with respect and honesty. Wal Mart doesn't.

Again, I'm sorry about your job, but you are honestly barking up the wrong tree here. My father knows more about this than you do.

[madrchsod]

17. target

the stores design is better,the stuff is nicer looking and better designed,and for the most part the employees are nicer. my daughter and i do alot of shopping at target and we have no complaints. yes must of the stuff comes from some third world country or china...that`s why 75% of the stuff i buy is used.

[Atman]

19. Target's commercials are way more hip

Amurka feels better shopping there. Hip places must be democratic, right?

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

20. My boycott focus is on Walmart for over 1million $ contributions to GOP

Target gave less than $200000 to the GOP.

Source: Buyblue.org

[Lost-in-FL]

21. There's a book about "lib" vs "conservative" companies

just released at B&N. I am sorry I forgot the name but they were advertizing it here the other day.

Also, you can check Buyblue.org http://www.buyblue.org/ for more information.

[Bluesplayer]

25. My main problem with Target is that they fired me

What am I gonna do now? My disability insurance only pays 60% of my salary. My health insurance (through COBRA) is going to be $600 a month that I can't afford. Not "it will be tough" but "actually can't be done".

[renate]

32. I'm so sorry

Our family had to use COBRA in the past and it is incredibly expensive. I have never ever ever understood how COBRA is used by the politicians in DC even as the most pathetic of substitutes for universal health care. I guess if your family doesn't need to eat, doesn't consume fuel, doesn't live in a dwelling, etc, it's a substitute.
:shrug:

Good luck. I hope something wonderful happens for you so this worry is lifted off your shoulders.
:hug:

[Beaverhausen]

26. Did Target call 28 hours a week full time?

Did you get benefits?

Are Target employees instructed how to apply for WIC and medicaid?

Did Target get caught employing "illegals" and locking them in the store for 12 hour shifts?

Does Target consistently break local environmental laws?

[demosincebirth]

27. If they were as big as WM, we would be bitching about them also.

Target does not negatively impact the local economy like Wal-Mart.

[LostinVA]

29. They also are decent employers and deal fairly with vendors

You can be big and not evil. Many huge corporations aren't evil.

[mcscajun]

31. They don't warrant the same attention because Wal-Mart

is the largest private employer in the country now, the way GM used to be.

The old saying was, "What’s good for General Motors is good for the rest of America." I should point out that this was said by the chairman of GM before the US Senate in 1955.* It became a commonly accepted truism, nonetheless.
* http://www.chroniclesmagazine.org/Chronicles/May2002/0502Hartman.html

Some facts about Wal-Mart:
- Wal-Mart is the world’s largest retailer. It is the largest corporation and private employer in the United States.
- Wal-Mart is the biggest employer in 25 states. They set the standard for wages and labor practices.
- Wal-Mart employs 1.4 million workers worldwide and over 1 million in the United States. More than half of Wal-Mart’s U.S. employees leave the company each year.

Much more about Wal-Mart's unique situation here:
http://www.ufcw.org/issues_and_actions/walmart_workers_campaign_info/facts_and_figures/walmartgeneralinfo.cfm

Whatever Target's sins may or may not be, they're just not in Wal-Mart's league.