Community Chat

[inallsincerity]

On 3/3/2015 terrier3 said:

On 3/3/2015 Luv2Decorate said:

Well find another job if its so bad.

A big part of Walmart's business plan is to eliminate competition in a market. The old mom and pop stores are gone - replaced by big box stores that have followed the "Walmart model." All the jobs on that level are similar.

Fast food, big box stores, retail - they all are basically the same. If Walmart succeeds after raising wages and standardizing hours, other businesses will follow their lead.

As our economy improves, they all will need to raise wages and make working conditions better to attract better workers.

I know most people think "standardizing hours" sounds like a good thing, but it makes me cringe. One of the only things that was a perk at my minimum wage jobs, was NOT having standard hours. I could go to my boss and request Sunday through Thursday this week with my two days off as Friday and Saturday, and then ask to be scheduled next week Tuesday through Saturday with my days off as Sunday and Monday, and boom 4 day trip without losing money or hours. The Mom's with school delays would call me and ask if I could hurry up to cover their shift, and they would swap me the night shift. We made deals on holidays. The older women with kids would get Mother's Day and Christmas Eve, the younger staff would take Valentine's Day or New Year's Eve. I loved the flexibility. It was a nice trade for hard work at a "less than glamorous" job. The harder workers would get the better schedules and more accommodations.

[emmysmom]

On 3/3/2015 jessa said:

On 3/3/2015 Luv2Decorate said:

On 3/3/2015 terrier3 said:

On 3/3/2015 mominohio said:

As to the picture in the OP, the billions received in government assistance isn't because of Walmart's low wages, it is because a large portion of those receiving those benefits are too lazy to do better, don't want to do better, and purposefully set themselves up in a job with hours and wages that fall just within the guidelines to keep getting that federal assistance.

I Walmart paid double, those people would still be on the dole, as they would be sure to only work half the amount of hours, in order to continue their eligibility for the programs.

As the mom of a former Walmart worker, you couldn't be more wrong.

Many, if not most, Walmart workers are just people trying to make a living and this was the best job they could find. Most Walmart workers are p/t - the company does this on purpose to limit benefits. They cut medical benefits in 2015 - prior to that you could get a VERY rudimentary health insurance policy if you had worked for them either f/t or for 2 years p/t. This year they changed the long term p/t requirements to 30 -39 hours a week p/t only. They didn't notify their employees in advance - they just said that if you averaged less than 30 hours/wk. in 2014 you were ineligible for HI in 2015. Since many p/t Walmart employees work 3 days a week (24 hours), they were shut out of HI this year. They were directed to apply for Medicaid on the ACA exchange.

They also are notorious for changing shifts every week. It's tough to plan a college schedule (or a second job!) if you don't know from week to week when you will be scheduled. If you "block out" time due to another job/school or any other reason, your hours are greatly reduced. They basically give the most hours to people who are available 24/7 - but even then they don't get f/t!

The main problem at Walmart isn't workers cutting shifts to get benefits. Even working FULL TIME there at $8 an hour, an employee would make $16,640 a year. The income level for Medicaid is $16,100 a year for one person (138% of poverty level). If you are a single mother with one child and work there FULL TIME, you still would be eligible for Medicaid, food stamps and other assistance. Even when they raise pay to $9, a single mom would still be eligible for assistance.

So claiming the moochers who work there would just ask to have their hours cut is patently false...even working there full time (and very few workers at a store are f/t), many workers STILL qualify for gvt. assistance.

Well find another job if its so bad.

There's not always "another job" where people live and it's expensive to move.

I agree, my sons work for restaurants, UPS etc..none are paid decent wages! Thats why there are "boomerang kids", kids that come back home because they can't afford to live on their own. Anyone looking for work, (including myself!) knows this is true!

[Mominohio]

On 3/3/2015 bikerbabe said:

On 3/3/2015 mominohio said:

As to the picture in the OP, the billions received in government assistance isn't because of Walmart's low wages, it is because a large portion of those receiving those benefits are too lazy to do better, don't want to do better, and purposefully set themselves up in a job with hours and wages that fall just within the guidelines to keep getting that federal assistance.

I Walmart paid double, those people would still be on the dole, as they would be sure to only work half the amount of hours, in order to continue their eligibility for the programs.

Ah, yes. Once again the philosophy that if you are poor, you are lazy. It has nothing to do with the fact that even if you work multiple part-time minimum wage jobs you'll still be in poverty. No. You're lazy. By the way that wonderful Walmart company has such deplorable business practices they can put some vendors out of business

You have it backwards, just because you are poor doesn't make you lazy, but if you are lazy, you will highly increase your chances of being/staying poor. Motivation, whether it is working hard at multiple low wage jobs, or getting educated, or striving to advance from the low wage job to a higher one in the same company will pull you out. There has to be entry level work and wages, it is the structure of business and the economy. The fault is that people won't/don't work their way up and out of entry level jobs. How is that the fault of the company?

Walmart cannot put a vendor out of business. If the vendor doesn't want to sell their product to Walmart for the price offered, they are more than welcome to go elsewhere to peddle their wares. There is no gun to their head to sell to Walmart at a loss.

[VioletEyes]

Amazing! Another Walmart thread denigrating the poor in this country. Read ""Nickled and Dimed"" and find out why some try to work but don't have many choices and not because they are lazy. SMH.

[Mominohio]

On 3/3/2015 terrier3 said:

On 3/3/2015 mominohio said:

As to the picture in the OP, the billions received in government assistance isn't because of Walmart's low wages, it is because a large portion of those receiving those benefits are too lazy to do better, don't want to do better, and purposefully set themselves up in a job with hours and wages that fall just within the guidelines to keep getting that federal assistance.

I Walmart paid double, those people would still be on the dole, as they would be sure to only work half the amount of hours, in order to continue their eligibility for the programs.

As the mom of a former Walmart worker, you couldn't be more wrong.

Many, if not most, Walmart workers are just people trying to make a living and this was the best job they could find. Most Walmart workers are p/t - the company does this on purpose to limit benefits. They cut medical benefits in 2015 - prior to that you could get a VERY rudimentary health insurance policy if you had worked for them either f/t or for 2 years p/t. This year they changed the long term p/t requirements to 30 -39 hours a week p/t only. They didn't notify their employees in advance - they just said that if you averaged less than 30 hours/wk. in 2014 you were ineligible for HI in 2015. Since many p/t Walmart employees work 3 days a week (24 hours), they were shut out of HI this year. They were directed to apply for Medicaid on the ACA exchange.

They also are notorious for changing shifts every week. It's tough to plan a college schedule (or a second job!) if you don't know from week to week when you will be scheduled. If you "block out" time due to another job/school or any other reason, your hours are greatly reduced. They basically give the most hours to people who are available 24/7 - but even then they don't get f/t!

The main problem at Walmart isn't workers cutting shifts to get benefits. Even working FULL TIME there at $8 an hour, an employee would make $16,640 a year. The income level for Medicaid is $16,100 a year for one person (138% of poverty level). If you are a single mother with one child and work there FULL TIME, you still would be eligible for Medicaid, food stamps and other assistance. Even when they raise pay to $9, a single mom would still be eligible for assistance.

So claiming the moochers who work there would just ask to have their hours cut is patently false...even working there full time (and very few workers at a store are f/t), many workers STILL qualify for gvt. assistance.

These are entry level jobs, and not intended to support entire families. People who need and want to better themselves can and will, whether within Walmart or by finding better jobs or educational opportunities that lead to better jobs.

Sitting in a minimum wage job, or just above minimum wage, and whining about your lot in life is a full time job for some, but seems to be more a battle cry from those not even living the actual life.

The wages, hours, and scheduling aren't different from much of the other restaurant and retail work available out there, but Walmart being so large and profitable seems to be the big target, while others do the same thing without being mentioned.

My statements are not patently false about the moochers. Full time, part time, whatever, they, by the millions, know the system and the level at which they must underperform to stay on the dole. Lets put the blame where it belongs for MOST, and hold responsible those that have families when they can't or won't work and achieve at the level necessary to live a decent life, and provide for them. Let's stop blaming businesses that actually provide work, opportunity to learn, earn, advance, or move on to something better.

[Linders Back]

Do people who work for small Mom and Pop stores have better hours, higher wages, and better benefits? Do Mom and Pop stores have the capacity to hire as many workers in an area as a big box store? Are we to assume that the counter help at the local coffee shop is higher educated and industrious while the one at McDonald's is lazy and ignorant?

Before we condemn a large company (and worst, denigrate those who choose to work there) we should check the overall employment and economic statistics for an area before and after they came in.

You can also count me as one person who is sick of these memes from obscure websites popping up all over the web and FB that sport unverified statistics just to support their POV.

[Mominohio]

On 3/3/2015 terrier3 said:

On 3/3/2015 Luv2Decorate said:

Just how many people does "cracked.com" employ??

I'm tired of "America is Bad", "Corporations are evil", groups.

Walmart has been compelled by several factors to raise wages and also (and maybe even more importantly) to make schedules more consistent for their employees.

Back in the day, the workers would have unionized a long time ago and achieved these benefits through collective bargaining.

Now that unions have been demonized by so many - the only way to force change is through outside groups that expose their practices and by lowered earning reports. It's a fact that Walmart's sales have been flat for quite a while. I'm sure they surveyed many shoppers to discover the reason why before they decided to raise wages and standardize hours.

They are doing it because it will be good for business.

That is why business does anything, including charity. It is all about the bottom line, which is not all evil. The more money made, the more they can do for workers, the economy, charity, contributing to the tax base, etc.

Business don't exist for any other reason than to turn a profit. If paying workers more will help that, they will do it.

[chrystaltree]

Nothing is wrong with "the picture". Private companies are required to pay minimum wage, they aren't and should not be required to pay more than the Federal or State minimum wage. Private companies exist to make money. Our incomes and our standard of living are OUR responsibility. If we fail to get a good education, if we fail to prepare ourselves for the working world world, if we give no thought to bettering ourselves; then, it's no brainer. We'll be poor. Walmart doesn't drag anyone in off the street and force them to wear those blue smocks.

[terrier3]

On 3/3/2015 mominohio said:

On 3/3/2015 terrier3 said:

Walmart has been compelled by several factors to raise wages and also (and maybe even more importantly) to make schedules more consistent for their employees.

Back in the day, the workers would have unionized a long time ago and achieved these benefits through collective bargaining.

Now that unions have been demonized by so many - the only way to force change is through outside groups that expose their practices and by lowered earning reports. It's a fact that Walmart's sales have been flat for quite a while. I'm sure they surveyed many shoppers to discover the reason why before they decided to raise wages and standardize hours.

They are doing it because it will be good for business.

That is why business does anything, including charity. It is all about the bottom line, which is not all evil. The more money made, the more they can do for workers, the economy, charity, contributing to the tax base, etc.

Business don't exist for any other reason than to turn a profit. If paying workers more will help that, they will do it.

You are right about business being there to make money.

But there used to be a union movement in the USA that tempered the "money above everything" workplace with collective bargaining for living wages, decent hours, safe work conditions, etc.

We need both to be successful, IMO.

Henry Ford doubled workers' pay so they would be able to afford his cars. That spirit seems to be lost now.

[Mominohio]

On 3/3/2015 emmysmom said:

On 3/3/2015 jessa said:

On 3/3/2015 Luv2Decorate said:

On 3/3/2015 terrier3 said:

On 3/3/2015 mominohio said:

As to the picture in the OP, the billions received in government assistance isn't because of Walmart's low wages, it is because a large portion of those receiving those benefits are too lazy to do better, don't want to do better, and purposefully set themselves up in a job with hours and wages that fall just within the guidelines to keep getting that federal assistance.

I Walmart paid double, those people would still be on the dole, as they would be sure to only work half the amount of hours, in order to continue their eligibility for the programs.

As the mom of a former Walmart worker, you couldn't be more wrong.

Many, if not most, Walmart workers are just people trying to make a living and this was the best job they could find. Most Walmart workers are p/t - the company does this on purpose to limit benefits. They cut medical benefits in 2015 - prior to that you could get a VERY rudimentary health insurance policy if you had worked for them either f/t or for 2 years p/t. This year they changed the long term p/t requirements to 30 -39 hours a week p/t only. They didn't notify their employees in advance - they just said that if you averaged less than 30 hours/wk. in 2014 you were ineligible for HI in 2015. Since many p/t Walmart employees work 3 days a week (24 hours), they were shut out of HI this year. They were directed to apply for Medicaid on the ACA exchange.

They also are notorious for changing shifts every week. It's tough to plan a college schedule (or a second job!) if you don't know from week to week when you will be scheduled. If you "block out" time due to another job/school or any other reason, your hours are greatly reduced. They basically give the most hours to people who are available 24/7 - but even then they don't get f/t!

The main problem at Walmart isn't workers cutting shifts to get benefits. Even working FULL TIME there at $8 an hour, an employee would make $16,640 a year. The income level for Medicaid is $16,100 a year for one person (138% of poverty level). If you are a single mother with one child and work there FULL TIME, you still would be eligible for Medicaid, food stamps and other assistance. Even when they raise pay to $9, a single mom would still be eligible for assistance.

So claiming the moochers who work there would just ask to have their hours cut is patently false...even working there full time (and very few workers at a store are f/t), many workers STILL qualify for gvt. assistance.

Well find another job if its so bad.

There's not always "another job" where people live and it's expensive to move.

I agree, my sons work for restaurants, UPS etc..none are paid decent wages! Thats why there are "boomerang kids", kids that come back home because they can't afford to live on their own. Anyone looking for work, (including myself!) knows this is true!

I'm sorry to have to disagree, and do realize that there are always pockets of areas where work is harder to find at any given time, but for the most part, there are jobs out there. The problem is that people want to be handed a good job, with good benefits, without paying their dues, or assume once they have it, it will always be there. They want all the electronic gadgets of the day, nice car, and a lot of non necessity things in their lives, then can't or won't work at the level required to maintain those things.

I have worked as many as three jobs at once, when necessary. I have worked one job, and learned to live within my means. I currently have a kid in high school who goes to school, gets straight A's and works up to three jobs at a time. He often makes more weekly, than many adults. He is working entry level jobs. If he can do it, so can many others.

There has always been and will always be a group of people who have limited ability due to disability or developmental level, and those people will tend to fall into the category of unable to advance, but there are safety nets in the social programs to help them as well. For the most part, people who don't succeed, fail to do so because of themselves.