Walmart introduced a new attendance policy for employers on Feb 2, 2019. It impacts over 30-0,000 hourly employees in U.S.-based stores. The company stated that this renewed policy would reduce absenteeism and help customers during the busiest business hours.
It emphasised employee attendance and the bonuses paid based on their performance. Walmart adds new rules and programs to improve customersâ experience. The paid time off program has also been refined to ensure store managers support their associates if any uncanny things happen.
These changes are made from the feedback of Walmart customers and employees to offer them more flexibility. Walmart will reward their associates for showing up to work on their scheduled days and serving customers.
Based on this new policy, the company provides incentives to employees who work on weekends and holidays. However, the store manager will penalise those who come late to work. Points will be deducted from the employees who take leave without their managerâs approval.
How Does the Renewed Walmart Attendance Policy Work?
The new Walmart attendance policy is based on a 5-point system for workers. Employees will get 1 point if they call in and donât come to work on their scheduled days. However, you will receive 0.5 points if you work in the stores for half of the day.
The dedication points for no-call, no-show cases are 2. Unexpected absences on Walmart key event dates or holidays are increased to 2 points.
According to Walmartâs revamped policy, employees will get half points if they come 30 minutes late to work. The same rule applies if you show up at work within an hour or two than the scheduled time. However, Walmart employees will get 1 deduction point if they arrive after 2 hours for their shift.
You must always report an absence to your store manager via call or email. If you fail to do so, Walmart will add 2 deduction points for violating the attendance policy. The company will terminate the employees who have 5 deduction points.
How a Walmart Employee or Associate Should Report an Absence?
You must report an absence if you will be late for work or miss it for some unforeseen circumstances. Here are the ways to report an absence to your store manager:
1. Via Call
You must dial Walmartâs number – 1-800-492-5678 to request a leave. Usually, the store associates handle this number to assist other employees who need leave for emergencies.
Do you know when the Walmart phone line is available? You must call this phone line between 8 AM and 5 PM to report an absence. No one will answer your phone call after 5 PM. Moreover, you must know the details you provide when calling the Walmart manager or associates.
Your Walmart Identification Number (WIN) is the first thing they will ask to confirm youâre a Walmart employee. However, employees must tell their correct birth date and store number.
The store number becomes handy when taking a leave. So, you must note down your Walmart store number somewhere. Otherwise, Walmart associates wonât be able to connect with your store manager. Tell your store manager the reason for your absence with suitable reasons. Otherwise, your manager might add penalty points.
2. Via OneWalmart
If you are a Walmart employee, then you must know about OneWalmart. It is an online Employee Management portal for managing work schedules. It can also be used to request leave in emergencies.
Open the OneWalmart site or the associated mobile app. The âReport an Absenceâ section is on the home page. Tap on that and provide the required information when prompted. It is always better to apply for leave earlier to avoid getting deduction points.
What are the 4 Stages of Absence Warnings on Walmart’s Attendance Policy?
All Walmart employees get 4 warnings based on this new attendance policy. Employees who get more than 3 deduction points within 6 months will receive warnings. Here are the different absence warning stages that are applied to workers:
1. Verbal Warnings
The first-time defaults receive verbal warnings from their Walmart store managers. They will call you and ask why you are absent or why there is a delay in work. The manager might assume that you might not know how to report an absence as a new employee, so he will guide you through the process.
At this initial stage, managers and supervisors hope you wonât repeat the same mistake. The manager might even cancel your deduction point in the first stage. So, be extremely cautious to avoid further warning if you have already received a verbal warning.
2. First Written Warning
If you come to work late again or fail to report on time, you will receive a written warning. Employees who receive a written mail or letter from their store manager will earn more deduction points.
Your store manager will tell you what will happen if you earn more deduction points within a month or two. Thus, you must request leave 1-2 days earlier to avoid getting more penalty points. Written communication does the work in most cases. So, Walmart store managers wonât act further against their employees.
3. Second Written Warning
You will only get to this third stage if you accumulate more dedication points for violating Walmartâs attendance policy. Employees with 4 or fewer points will receive a second written warning from their store manager.
Workers with a high penalty score think that they will get a termination letter at this point. However, the store manager or supervisor sends an email informing the employee that they will be terminated if they earn more absence/deduction points.
4. Termination
This is the last absence warning stage for all Walmart employees. You will receive a termination letter from the store manager for getting 5 points. Here, the company will inform you that you have sent numerous warnings to save your job.
However, you have ignored all those warnings, so you wonât get another chance. Your store manager will terminate your employment contract because your actions go against the Walmart attendance policy rules.
Does Walmart Reset the Deduction/Absence Point?
The attendance policy works differently at Walmart than at most other companies. The company has a point system chart with all employees’ attendance records. Walmart doesnât accumulate deductions or absence points continuously.
For instance, if you get 3 points in your 6 months of attendance period, Walmart will erase these points after 2-3 months. You will earn a new point if you fail to report an absence or come to work 30 minutes or 2 hours late.
Moreover, the company doesnât count the approved employee leave request. So, if you have applied for leave 2-3 days earlier and your store manager has approved it, no points will be added.
In other situations, Walmart doesn’t add penalty points to the attendance chart. Thus, you donât have to worry about termination if you miss 5 shifts in 6 months for bereavement, medical emergencies, pregnancy and FMLA. So, ensure a clean attendance sheet for a 25% incentive payment.
