The Dark Side of Walmart Management: Understanding the Root Causes of Employee Mistreatment

While Walmart is often praised for its unwavering commitment to customer service and profit margins, there is a concerning trend of employee mistreatment that has sparked numerous complaints and investigations. This issue is not only harming the well-being of individual workers but also tarnishing the company's reputation. The question remains: Why do some Walmart managers continue to mistreat employees, and how does this behavior stem from the company's top-down management practices?

The Question of Education and Morale

At the core of the issue lies the educational background and mindset of Walmart’s managerial bodies. Many of these individuals have a very limited educational background, which may contribute to their lack of understanding and support for fundamental employees' morale values. For them, employees are mere numbers on a paper, capable of being easily replaced to meet their personal and professional goals.

To them, the significance of morale values, respect, fairness, equal employment opportunities, and the prevention of discriminatory behaviors and retaliatory actions is secondary to the business’s primary aim of maximizing profits. During management training programs, these topics are often textit{"briefly"} mentioned, given a secondary status, and overshadowed by sales and profit-focused objectives.

The Business Over Employees Philosophy

Walmart's overarching approach to business is one of prioritizing sales and profits over the well-being and satisfaction of its employees and customers. This philosophy is evident in the management's focus on maximizing shareholder value, which often comes at the expense of a positive working environment. For instance, the store closest to my residence emphasizes profits over employee and customer satisfaction, leading to frustration and annoyance among customers who are forced to shop there due to proximity.

The Power Trip and Forgotten Origins

Once managers are promoted, they often become disconnected from their humble beginnings and start to act with authoritarian power, forgetting the importance of teamwork and respect. This detachment from their roots can lead to a toxic work environment where employees are not valued or respected. It is noteworthy that not all store managers engage in such behavior, and this issue is not exclusive to Walmart. In many corporate environments, power often translates into authoritative control, and managers who feel pressure from higher-ups may in turn pass that pressure down the chain.

Employee Empowerment and Advocacy

Ultimately, the mistreatment of employees is not solely a result of top-down management but also a byproduct of the fear and reluctance of employees to stand up for themselves. In my personal experience, I have confronted my supervisor and assistant managers twice, only to see a significant change in their subsequent actions towards me. By standing up for your rights and asserting your value, employees can make a substantial impact on creating a more respectful and fair work environment.

Conclusion

The root causes of employee mistreatment in Walmart come from a combination of educational limitations, a profit-driven corporate culture, and the detachment of managers from their original purposes. Addressing this issue requires a systemic approach that emphasizes the importance of employee morale, respect, and fairness. By fostering a culture that values all employees as integral to the company's success, Walmart can work towards creating a more harmonious and productive work environment.