Walmart Employee Complaints and Walmart lawsuits

Wal-Mart is the largest employer in the world, and accounts for 2 percent of the nation's gross national product.(Cappeli)  It is no surprise that it has continually been on the news mainly because of human resources issues, employee compaints, and lawsuits.  The following report highlights these issues and offers recommendations to alleviate the problems.

Cappeli, Peter "Wal-Mart and the Obligations of Business" HRExecutive.com.   March 6, 2006
<http://www.hrexecutive.com/HRE/story.jsp?storyId=4615496>

Company Profile:

Wal-Mart
The very first Wal-Mart store opened in 1962 in Rogers, Arkansas.  It was founded by Sam Walton who had a passion for customer satisfaction and everyday low prices.  Wal-Mart is now the world's biggest retailer, and the world’s biggest employer - with over 2 million people.  It not only operates in the U.S, but 12 other foreign countries as well.  As of April 2009 the company had 7,928 retail units worldwide.  Wal-Mart reported over 401 billion dollars in sales in 2009 with a net income of 13.4 billion in 2009.

Associates at Wal-Mart are eligible for health coverage for as little as $8 per month.  Children of Wal-Mart associates are also eligible for health coverage.  More than 92 percent of Wal-Mart employees have health coverage, and all employees who have health coverage through Wal-Mart are also offered generic prescription drugs for as little as $4.

Wal-Mart employees are eligible for 10 percent of all regularly priced Wal-Mart general merchandise; 10 percent off fruits and vegetables; 10 percent off glasses and contacts at Wal-Mart's Vision Centers; and over 100 discounts at walmartbenefits.com

In 2008 Wal-Mart put $870 million into Profit Sharing and 401k accounts.  Wal-Mart also offers an Associate Stock Purchasing Program that allows associates to purchase stock without most brokerage fees, and Wal-Mart matches a portion of the purchase.

"Wal-Mart" http://nyjobsource.com/walmart.html