Walmart's Chief talks tough to emp. from the NYT!

[napi21]

On Private Web Site, Wal-Mart Chief Talks Tough


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.

(snip)


"Quite honestly, this environment isn't for everyone. There are people who would say, 'I'm sorry, but you should take the risk and take billions of dollars out of earnings and put this in retiree health benefits and let's see what happens to the company.' If you feel that way, then you as a manager should look for a company where you can do those kinds of things."

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/17/business/17walmart.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Read the whole article if you have a chance. It shows just a bit of what it's really like to be part of mgmt at Walmart!

[DS1]

1. Wal*Mart management are vermin

[napi21]

3. I'm talking about how they treat their store mgmt. I haven't heard

this kind of talk in 30 years! In 1976, I took a job at the home office of a major health food chain. AT that time, it was still a private company. I remember hearing the owner one time telling one of his Sr. mgrs "if you don't like it, get the hell out. There's a couple of humdred people out there who'd love the job you have, and would be cheaper too!" I was in my late early 30's and had worked several other positions before that one, but that remark really surprised me! They're a public Co. now, and I've been gone from there for almost 15 years, and the nasty owner died a long time ago. I have no idea if they've improved or not.

Reading that article on WM reminded me just how mean and nasty companies can be to their emloyees!

[warrens]

2. One of the worst jobs in the world is being a WM store manager

You work like a dog, get screamed at by regional mgrs. for the smallest problems, have to move every couple of years, often across the country, etc. etc. The pay is good, but I would never want that job.

[napi21]

4. Yea, one of my hisband's former bosses was from WM.

Wm kept contacting him and begging him to come back, but he said much the same thing.

[chat_noir]

5. We need a DU Research thread on Wal-Mart