The store for the new Amerika. It's customer-friendly! It's willing to go to almost any lengths to please the customers, including requiring workers to be available even when they can't arrange childcare for that time slot, and including offering them the kick in the butt if they can't make new arrangements within seven days:
Wal-Mart officials in Cross Lanes told employees on Tuesday they have to start working practically any shift, any day they're asked, even if they've built up years of seniority and can't arrange child care.
Store management said the policy change is needed to keep enough staff at the busiest hours, but some employees said it appears to be an attempt to force out longer-term, higher-paid workers.
"We have many people with set schedules who aren't here when we need them for our customers," said John Knuckles, a manager at the store, which is located in the Nitro Marketplace shopping center and employs more than 400.
"It is to take care of the customers, that's the only reason," he said.
Workers who have had regular shifts at the store for years now have to commit to being available for any shift from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. If they can't make the commitment by the end of this week, they'll be fired.
"It shouldn't cause any problem, if they [store employees] are concerned about their customers," Knuckles said.
Several single mothers working at the store have no choice now but to quit, said one employee, who would not give her name for fear of retribution.
"My day care closes at 6 and my baby sitter can't work past 5," said the employee, a mother of two who has been a cashier for more than three years. Neither of the services is available over the weekends, she added. "I have to be terminated; I don't know what I'll do."
But it's so good for the customers.
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Via this kosdiary.