On Private Web Site, Wal-Mart Chief Talks Tough (what a horrible company)

[RedEarth]

In a confidential, internal Web site for Wal-Mart's managers, the company's chief executive, H. Lee Scott Jr., seemed to have a rare, unscripted moment when one manager asked him why "the largest company on the planet cannot offer some type of medical retirement benefits?"


Mr. Scott first argues that the cost of such benefits would leave Wal-Mart at a competitive disadvantage but then, clearly annoyed, he suggests that the store manager is disloyal and should consider quitting.

The Web site, which Mr. Scott uses to communicate his tough standards to thousands of far-flung managers, gives a rare glimpse into the concerns that are roiling Wal-Mart's retailing empire, from the company's sagging stock price to how it treats its workers. Judging by the managers' questions, Mr. Scott has an internal public relations challenge that in some ways mirrors the challenge he faces from outside critics.

And while Mr. Scott's postings are usually written in a careful, even guarded manner, they can often be revealing — for example, showing a defensiveness and testiness with critics — that Mr. Scott normally keeps under wraps.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/17/business/17walmart.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

here's some more information from Wal-Mart Watch.......

http://walmartwatch.com/blog/archives/wal_mart_managers_leak_more_documents/

[trotsky]

1. Well, I have a great idea for Mr. Scott.

Why don't he & the rest of Wal-Mart's top brass give up on their benefits, stock options, and pension plans? They could save the company even MORE money!

[ThomCat]

3. The people who don't want to share with others

never volunteer to do without. Go figure. :eyes:

[trotsky]

4. The kicker is at the very end of the article.

When one manager asked how an associate — Wal-Mart's term for an employee — could become chief executive of the world's largest retailer, Mr. Scott wrote, "The first thing you can do is make sure you treat your people well, and understand that your associates are what will make you a success."

I would like to know what exactly he thinks it means to "treat your people well," because obviously retirement & health benefits ain't included.

[ThomCat]

6. Haven't you heard?

A smile and a nice word are acceptable substitutes for

decent pay
health insurance
accomodating needs for time off
any kind of retirement plan
etc.

It's horrible how often managers think they're great to work for simply because they fake a smile and pretend to be interested in how their employees are doing.

The scum rises to the top.

[Lindacooks]

17. Yes, the scum does rise to the top.

That's the way it works in the kitchen. The cream only rises to the top in a perfectly serene, undisturbed environment, the opposite of business. The scum rises to the top when stock is boiling furiously, which is more like a business environment. The scum always rises to the top.

[MadMaddie]

2. If you're not with us your'e against us...

selfish greedy bastards!!! Working off the back of the workers and making the states take care of the workers health care!!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. That manager can kiss his job goodbye

WalMart works that way. And if you quit working at one store and don't request a transfer and have a good excuse why you have to move, you won't be rehired by WalMart at a later date.

[sinkingfeeling]

7. He'll be gone by tomorrow.

[pimpbot]

8. How come all these wingnuts don't use their first names?

Is it me or does it seem like they all have an initial for the first name and use their middle name or some other made up name?

[punpirate]

9. Likely, in Scott's case...

... because the "H." stands for Hammerhead....

[bballny]

13. No, It's Horseshit- n/t

[bballny]

12. No, they are too smart

It will take 6 months. They will slowly build a case of non performance and then they will fire him. This way no lawsuit.

[THUNDER HANDS]

10. during last Sunday's blizzard

Every store in the area closed. Every store, of course, except Wal-Mart.

I had to trudge through a foot of snow, still falling, to go in and be there for when the 25 people who shopped in the store arrived.

The store managers have no control over anything in the store. And when I say anything I mean anything - they can't even turn up the heat. Every decision comes from the home office in Arkansas. And since a blizzard in Arkansas is unlikely to occur, they could give a shit if some New Yorkers have to risk their lives going to work in a blizzard.

[maxrandb]

11. Sometimes I think the only thing that will kick this country in the A$$!

is a nation-wide general strike.

It's already gotten so bad that people are willing to work for peanuts, just so they can have a job.

[sinkingfeeling]

14. I live 22 miles from Bentonville and to an Arkie, if there's 1/2 inch of

snow on the ground, it's a blizzard! I've laughed my ass off here watching the TV 'news' reports telling us how terrible driving conditions are when to me, we've had a dusting of snow.

[preciousdove]

15. Teamwork my aunt fannie...

My sister-in-law worked for two years for Walmart when they had some unexpected medical bills. They had a suggestion box and she was told at orientation that they were a team and that her input was valued. So she made a simple suggestion she thought would make things easier AND save money.

The next day three managers spoke to her about why it was a very bad suggestion most of what they said is that she was out of her "chain of command" and she should get with the program and they would be "watching her". Needless to say she made no more suggestions.

[AndyTiedye]

16. A Graduate of the Darth Vader School of Personnel Management