Wal-Mart Announces New Diversity Initiatives at Annual Board Meeting; NOW Skeptically Awaits Implementation of New Worker-Friendly Policies

June 7, 2004

"We are pleased to learn that Wal-Mart is taking steps toward creating an employee-friendly work environment," said NOW Action Vice President Olga Vives. "The news is encouraging—but we have to remain skeptical in light of their past practices."

Wal-Mart has been publicly scrutinized for mistreating its employees and creating a hostile work environment. On Friday, Wal-Mart Chief Executive Lee Scott said that the company would be taking several measures to prevent further gender bias and unfair treatment of workers.

Scott cited two specific initiatives in his speech to employees and stockholders. He said that top executives' bonuses would be cut if the company does not promote women and minorities in proportion to the number that apply for management positions, and the stores would use their computer systems to ensure that both hourly workers and managers take their required breaks.

"Their intentions to 'leave no worker behind' are encouraging," said Vives. "If they really are committed to change, they'll take proper measures to make up for the mistreatment of their female employees who have been denied fair pay, promotions and health care."

NOW's Women Friendly Workplace campaign named Wal-Mart a "Merchant of Shame" in 2002 in response to the company's growing list of unfair labor practices. Since that time, NOW activists have been conducting an education campaign at Wal-Mart stores throughout the country. Wal-Mart is the largest employer in the United States and has been charged in the largest employment discrimination lawsuit in history.

"It's about time they cleaned up their act," said Vives. "But this announcement cannot simply be window dressing. We want to see real changes for their all of their employees, including those who have been victims of Wal-Mart's unfriendly workplace."

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