New policy outlines penalties for employees who don't get authorization for absences
Wal-Mart's new attendance policy penalizes workers for multiple unexcused absences and requires them to call an 800 number whenever they get sick.
Employees in the United States who need time off for illness must call an automated line to get a code, which they must then give to their manager to get their absence approved.
The new absence policy also lays out clear disciplinary steps for employees and managers.
Any employee with more than three unauthorized absences in a six-month span will be disciplined, and those with seven will be fired. Any employee who is absent three times during a six-month period and doesn't call the 800 number for any of the three times can be fired. And employees needing more than three consecutive sick days are encouraged to apply for an unpaid leave of absence or time off under the Family Medical Leave Act.
Also on the labour front, last week a Pennsylvania jury awarded $78.4 million to thousands of Wal-Mart employees who claimed they were forced to work overtime without pay and during rest breaks from March 1998 through May 2006.
A state judge is expected to add $62 million in minimum damages required under state labour law, bringing total damages to about $140.4 million.
Employees in the United States who need time off for illness must call an automated line to get a code, which they must then give to their manager to get their absence approved.
The new absence policy also lays out clear disciplinary steps for employees and managers.
Any employee with more than three unauthorized absences in a six-month span will be disciplined, and those with seven will be fired. Any employee who is absent three times during a six-month period and doesn't call the 800 number for any of the three times can be fired. And employees needing more than three consecutive sick days are encouraged to apply for an unpaid leave of absence or time off under the Family Medical Leave Act.
Also on the labour front, last week a Pennsylvania jury awarded $78.4 million to thousands of Wal-Mart employees who claimed they were forced to work overtime without pay and during rest breaks from March 1998 through May 2006.
A state judge is expected to add $62 million in minimum damages required under state labour law, bringing total damages to about $140.4 million.
