Wal-Mart's sick leave policy risks spreading swine flu

I also work for a company that will fire an employee if the employee calls in more than 3 x's in a 3 month time frame. I also have been at work surrounded by sick people which in turn caused me to get sick and come to work sick because I was afraid I'd get fired.

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That is not the only policy Walmart has against it's employees, if they have accidents at work they can also get fired, I personally know of at least three cases where people has been written up because they fell(like you want to hurt yourself) or people that keeps quiet and do not report it afraid they might loose their jobs

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As much as I can't stand Wal-Mart I'd say this is a widespread thing and not something they alone do. Most places I've worked had similar systems in places so people are always working sick and infecting the rest of the staff.

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The business where I found a job after my 35 year service at one that relocated to Mexico ended, generated a memo. The correspondence stated that the weather would no longer be considered an excuse for not making it to work. In addition the letter stated that should we make it to work, it would be our responsibility to clear away the snow, physical limitations not withstanding. Needless to say, this presented a formidible challenge for a 60 year old. This was back when employment was full. I'd hate to see what's coming now!

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I swear the lack of COMMON SENSE and CORPORATE GREED will be the downfall of our nation. Walmart's attitude toward their employees' health status is one thing but their total disregard for the well-being of their customer's stinks.

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Wal-Mart needs 2 hurry up and go by by. All good things come 2 an end sooner or later.

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i have heard a lot of stories about wal mart and how the treat thier emplyees.Bad stories i heard they are hard to work i know this i had friends who worked there.

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My cousin works at Wheaton College in Massachusetts. They are doing the same thing. They tell employees to stay home but then the employee gets in trouble for being out sick!
These places are making it look like they care.
Bottom line is...they don't care.
If the President has declared a national emergency, it should be against the law for employers to do this.

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At the hospital I work at, we get 3 days per year, if you are sick more than that you use your vacation time..so what happens...we go to work sick. We also can be terminated for calling in sick, termination after 6 times. I see people running for the bathroom, throwing up in garbage cans, coughing, sneezing, fevers, you name it. You come to work.Doctors are worse off , they get no sick leave, not 1 day. If you have to go the ER it will cost you over 100.00, thats our co-pay, so we don't do that either. They offered the flu shots but once again if you get sick , you can't afford to take the time off or go to the doctor.Walmart isn't so different from other companies.

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Walmart is clever like a fox; they figure if they can appear to be altruistic by providing low prices, and condoning to charitable causes, their "slavery tactics" and non-compliant employee regulation violations go un-checked. They're also taking advantage of the fact that jobs are hard to come by and these people will do whatever they have to do, to keep their jobs. They know just how far to go, and what to do to stay under the radar. They've been operating like this for a long time. Unfortunately, because people are in such dire straits, we can't afford to "boy-cott" the stores, but there should be some regulatory entity that should step in, it's a shame we can't seem to get the proper attention going in that direction... in the olden days, people might have been revolting and picketing a store like this. We just don't seem to have the time or the gumption to do what it takes to get these businesses (and banks) to do the right thing these days, until it's too late.

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I know for a fact that this article is not entirely true. If you know that you have swine flu, you can take a "LOA" or Leave of Absence. What this does is secure your position and keep you from tallying up absences. It is true that you can't use sick time for the first day though, but for however long you need to be out on LOA past that first day, you can use your sick time that you've acquired. I really don't see anything wrong with the policy considering Wal-Mart is a business and they need their employees as much, as their customers, to continue their business. I know at my work place people call in all the time just because they don't feel like coming in and it makes things difficult for all of the staff and lowers the moral.

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well here we go again lets say that unions are the source of our troubles. but let me make one point Walmart can and does fire people for any infraction they can especially lately They are cutting employees that are full time and ones that were hired in with too high of a starting wage I know I work there AND AM WATCHING IT HAPPEN TO ALL THE EMPLOYEES THAT WERE HIRED MORE THAN 3 YEARS AGO. We need protection from Walmart

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I WORKED FOR A MAJOR CORPORATION IN THE50'S, 60'S 70'S AND AND 80'S. I AGREE WITH WALMART. MOST WHO CALL IN SICK ARE NOT TOO SICK TO COME TO WORK. RULES NEED TO APPLY TO THOSE WHO ONLY FEINT ILLNESS WHEN THEY DON'T WANT TO GO TO WORK. THE COMPANY THAT I WORKED FOR HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL OVER THE PAST YEASRS. WE FIRED THOSE WHO PUT THE WAY THEY FELT ABOVE THEIR JOBS.

GOOD FOR WALMART.

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Another fine reason to stay out of Walmart. I wonder if a real good lawyer could make me rich for getting swine flu at Walmart when coming into contact with sick employees who were too frightened to take a sick day for fear of losing their jobs???? Almost makes me want to get sick. HHmmmmmm.

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I was a retail manager for years. If I would have ever run my store the way Walmart's are run, I would have had customers walking out without purchasing anything. I can not understand why people continue to use Walmart's. Every time you look in the news they are doing or have done something outrageous. If I am sick, I am not going to work. You will run the risk of giving everyone you come in contact with whatever illness you have. Especially if you are handling the money and merchandise. If I see a cashier wiping or blowing their nose I go to another line. I refuse to use self-serve because that's a persons job lost. I feel for the elderly and the young who are exposed to disease daily by workers who don't stay home. Health care reform should start with reforming the attitude of companies towards people staying home sick.

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And here's the real reason it should be called "swine flu": because it's easily spread by sick-leave policies designed by greedy pigs. And how about a truly appropriate legal response to those who refuse to let an ill worker go home or to hospital, resulting in that worker's death: a charge of voluntary manslaughter? Frankly, companies will keep this up until they see one of their enforcers get hauled off to do some hard prison time. The Greeks have a word for it: pathetic.

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I think that the point system is stupid. When your sick you need to stay at home. Let the companies have insurance that allows their employees to go to the Dr. , pay a small amount (co-pay) and get a Dr.'s note. This may help with people who really are not sick. Don't punish a good employee because they are sick. That's why Wal-Mart cannot keep good employees.

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It's WalMart; enough said. The giant crap hole Americans have created and continue to patronize. I can honestly say that I NEVER shop at a WalMart. And this is just more reason for my cause. I have no problem driving by a WalMart to shop elsewhere. I have done it till now, and will continue to do so.

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At my Sam's Club you have to have a Doctors note if you call in sick or it is an unexsquised, who can afford to miss work and pay a Doctor visit?

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