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Walmart greeter John Combs works at a Walmart store in Vancouver, Washington State on April 21, 2018. Combs, who suffers from cerebral palsy and other disabled people, have been fired. After more than a week of brutal reaction, Greg Foran, president and CEO of Walmart's US stores, said in a memo to store managers that "we are taking specific steps to support" the People with Disabilities. | Photo courtesy of Rachel Wasser via the Associated Press, St. George News
UNITED STATES (AP) – Walmart suffered more than a week of bad publicity before announcing publicly that it was doing its best to find a role for disabled workers threatened with losing their jobs when the retailer would get rid of the 1,000-store wickets.
Greg Foran, president and CEO of Walmart's US stores, said Thursday evening in a memo addressed to store managers: "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 action, Walmart now opens the door to actually helping individuals realize their full employment potentialSaid Cheryl Bates-Harris, senior disability advocate at the National Disability Rights Network.
Last week, Walmart announced to MPs across the country that their positions were being removed at the end of April in favor of an expanded "customer welcome" role involving not only customer care, but also customer service. help with returns, the verification of receipts to avoid the thefts of the own store. 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. Indignant customers and others have launched online petitions, formed Facebook support groups, called and e-mailed Walmart offices in Bentonville, Arkansas 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. "I hope that they are now awake and that they will solve this problem the right way … The good news is that it is reversible.
Walmart, for its part, stated that Foran's memo did not signal a change of direction for the company, but aimed at strengthening what it was already doing for displaced workers at the gatehouse and dispelling misinformation. .
Foran acknowledged that the change from receptionist to host and its impact on disabled workers had "sparked some conversation". He wrote that Walmart committed to doing the necessary for these employees, noting that receptionists with disabilities would benefit from more than 60 days notice. to find other jobs in the company.
"Let's be clear: if a partner in this unique situation wants to continue working at Walmart, we need to make every effort to make it happen," says the memo, which Walmart released.
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 presence of visitors 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 Walmart's recent moves. "I think the way forward will be good for these people. I think they will really make an effort and try to keep these 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 every case requires a thoughtful solution." He stated that Walmart's goal is to provide "appropriate accommodations that will allow these associates to continue to occupy other positions with their store."
Written by MICHAEL RUBINKAM, Associated Press.
E-mail: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews
Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, disseminated, rewritten or redistributed.
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