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Walmart suffered more than a week of bad publicity before announcing publicly that it was doing everything possible to find a role for disabled workers threatened with losing their jobs, the retailer getting rid of visitors from 1,000 stores.
Greg Foran, president and chief executive of Walmart's US stores, said Thursday evening in a memo addressed to store managers "that we are taking specific steps to help" people with disabilities. The channel noted that several new members were offered jobs in their respective stores and were accepted.
Advocates for the disabled said Walmart was making the right choice.
"By rethinking their actions, Walmart is now opening the door to truly help people realize their full employment potential," said Cheryl Bates-Harris, Senior Advocate for Disability Advocates at the National Disability Rights Network. .
Last week, Walmart announced to MPs across the country that their positions were being phased out at the end of April in favor of an expanded "host" role, which involves not only welcoming customers, but also help with returns, check receipts to help prevent shoplifting and maintain the clean store position. The job requires that guests be able to lift heavy goods vehicles, climb ladders and perform other tasks.
People with disabilities who have traditionally held the position of guardian in many stores have accused Walmart of acting heartless. Outraged clients and others launched online petitions, formed Facebook support groups and called and e-mailed Walmart's Bentonville, Arkansas offices to voice their dissatisfaction.
"It was a big problem," said Craig Johnson, president of Customer Growth Partners, a retail consultancy firm, adding that Walmart should have anticipated public reaction.
"Someone's finally woken up," Johnson said. "Hopefully they are now awake and that they will fix this problem the right way … The good news is that it's reversible."
For its part, Walmart stated that Foran's memo did not signify a change of direction for the company, but was intended to reinforce what it was already doing for the displaced workers of the guardian position and to dispel the wrong information.
Foran acknowledged that shifting from one hospitality position to another and that its impact on disabled workers had "created a conversation". He wrote that Walmart was committed to doing good to these employees, noting that disabled Greeters would have more than 60 days to find a job in the company.
"Let's be clear: if a partner in this unique situation wants to continue working at Walmart, we must do everything possible to make this happen," said his memo, published publicly by Walmart.
Walmart has already started making job offers to greeters. At least three longtime friends – Adam Catlin in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, Jay Melton in Marion, North Carolina and Mitchell Hartzell in Hazel Green, Florida, all of whom have cerebral palsy – have accepted free-cash jobs.
Holly Catlin, Catlin's mother, helped draw public attention to her son's fate with a passionate article on Facebook and has since pleaded for the greeter's greeting across the country. . After contacting Walmart General Manager Doug McMillon daily, Catlin received a call from the company's office on Thursday. On Friday morning, she and her son met with the store management in Selinsgrove.
"I decided that I was going to be the squeaky and squeaky wheel every day," said Catlin, adding that she was encouraged by recent Walmart moves. "I think the way forward will be good for these people, I think they'll really make an effort and try to keep those people."
In North Carolina, Melton is "happier than a pig in a puddle of mud," said his father, Jim Melton.
Foran, who runs Walmart's US stores, wrote that disabled greeters "face a unique situation … and that each case requires a thoughtful solution." He stated that Walmart's goal is to offer "appropriate accommodations that will allow these associates to continue to take on other roles with their store".
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