"Low Prices" Can Make You Sick at Wal-Mart (11/12/09)

According to a report from the National Labor Committee, Wal-Mart's "sick day" policies, which punish sick workers for staying home, has created an unhealthy atmosphere in the workplace that could help spread sicknesses like the H1N1 flu among Wal-Mart workers and customers. The report sheds light on the retail giant's punitive sick day policy that forces parents to put work before their family's welfare.
 
The policy gives workers "demerits" for every day they stay home to take care of themselves or a sick relative, and promises "discipline" for anyone who misses three days due to health issues over a six month period. Employees are routinely given demerits for leaving work early to pick up sick children at school, and forced to send sick kids to school or risk demerits and discipline.
 
According to one Wal-Mart worker who was asked about Wal-Mart's supposed "family oriented" policies, "That is in the toilet. Wal-Mart doesn't care about families."
 
Read the report here