Wal-Mart Changes Policies to Improve Attendance

Wal-Mart, as the largest employer in the U.S., often draws attention when it changes its employment policies.  Such changes are particularly noteworthy where they address nationally sensitive employment issues like attendance and sick leave.

Effective February 2, 2019, Wal-Mart has provided for a form of paid sick leave in which employees will be able to earn up to 48 hours of what it calls "protected paid time off," which may be used for any reason.  Other policies were announced also with the paid time off item being called the "carrot" in the provisions.  Wal-Mart also cut by nearly half the number of attendance infractions allowed over a six-month period before a worker is terminated.  In addition, quarterly bonus payments are now tied to attendance, rather than being based solely on facility performance.  As part of the policy changes, Wal-Mart's workers will start off with a clean state, attendance-wise. 

Changes made by Wal-Mart last year, in addition to raising wages, included expanded parental leave policies and a relaxation of its dress code.  Like so many other employers, Wal-Mart is concerned with improving its hiring and turnover rates and reducing absenteeism.