Wake Up Walmart Demands Walmart Give Workers Sick Days

by Taylor Leake · 2010-02-25 11:11:00 UTC
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Today Wake Up Walmart is taking action against Walmart's harmful sick day policy.

Last fall, Walmart was exposed for its track record of giving employees "demerits" that can lead to termination when they call in sick. In addition, full-time Walmart associates aren't able to use their accrued sick leave for the first day they are sick. Walmart also ignored government recommendations to let employees suffering from H1N1 stay home without fear of punitive action.

But don't just take our word for it, read some of the stories we've been hearing from workers across the country.

Patricia from Ohio has worked at Walmart for over 3 years and is currently over her "demerit" limit for days because of a rotator cuff injury she got on the job. Her own doctor suggested she take five weeks off after her surgery, but Walmart's doctor gave her just five days off. She has worked even when she was sick. In one instance, she worked with pink eye so severe that one of her eyes was swollen shut and she could barely see. She told her managers it was contagions and that she needed to go home, but Walmart informed her that she would get a "demerit" if she worked less than 4 hours.

Beatrice from North Carolina is an inspiration to her community. She runs a volunteer organization and has received the Governor's Award twice and a Points of Light award. Beatrice enjoyed her two years as a greeter at Walmart, but twice was refused bathroom breaks. As a result she suffered a bladder infection and was written up for taking time off to recover. We've put together a video of Beatrice's story.

Because of Patricia, Beatrice and all of Walmart's employees, we're holding a national day of action to raise awareness about Walmart's irresponsible sick leave policy and demand change. You can learn more and help us spread the message by going to Wake Up Walmart.

Photo credit: D'Arcy Norman

Taylor Leake has advocated for workers' rights for years, from running his college chapter of United Students Against Sweatshops to working for the Wake Up Walmart campaign.

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