Background
Why Wal-Mart's practices matter
For more information
Background:
The New York Times reported in November of 2009 that employees at Walmart risk disciplinary action in the form of demerits from a supervisor for taking an earned paid sick day [1]. Wal-Mart responded in a statement to ABC News that "No one will be fired for H1N1” [2]. But the statement did not address the disciplinary demerit policy, and no documentation about how people with H1N1 would be handled was provided.
On December 3, 2009, MomsRising asked Wal-Mart to clarify their sick days policy and practices because when employees risk disciplinary action for taking earned paid sick days, it is bad for workers, for economic security, and for public health. So far we've received no response. In addition, MomsRising and our partners have recently talked with several associates who say they continue to be at risk for disciplinary action for using sick days.
We call on Walmart now to publicly respond to these charges and immediately end any ongoing practice of issuing demerits.
Why Wal-Mart's Practices Matter
* Public Health: Walmart’s reported practice of giving demerits to associates who take earned paid sick days is a public health hazard and harmful to associates, their families and customers. This kind of practice makes employees feel compelled to report to work sick, where they spread illness to co-workers and customers and are unable to adequately recover from illness.
* Economic Security: Paid Sick Days policies have positive economic effects for workers, their families, and the public but these effects are undermined by punishing workers for taking them. If using paid sick days ultimately threatens a worker’s job, then that policy does not leave workers or their families financially secure.
Allowing sick workers to stay home helps prevent the spread of illness. That results in more people staying healthy and able to work, and lower health care costs. By punishing employees for taking sick days, companies undermine any public good that could be brought by their sick policy because ultimately, sick employees are still compelled to come to work.
* It's Not Just Wal-Mart: We've heard from dozens of MomsRising members who say that the companies they work for have sick days policies and practices which are similar to those at Wal-Mart. This campaign highlights that it's important for all companies to have fair paid sick days policies. Today, nearly 80% of low-wage workers are not allowed to earn a single paid sick day [3].
For More Information:
If you’re an organization or an individual that would like to get involved with this campaign, email demeritwalmart@momsrising.org
If you’re a Wal-Mart employee and would like to tell us about your own experience at Wal-Mart, email demeritwalmart@momsrising.org. Your confidentiality will be fully respected and we will not share your name or your story with anyone unless you give us expressed permission to do so.
Footnotes
1. The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/03/business/03sick.html?_r=4&pagewanted=1&ref=todayspaper
2. http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/Wal-Mart-defends-sick-leave-policy-good-morning-america
3. http://www.humanimpact.org/PSD/NationalPaidSickDaysHIA_report.pdf
Also see:
- Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/08/AR2009110818009.html?sub=AR
- http://www.nlcnet.org/