The Walmart Employee Rule That Had Reddit Raging

Walmart may be a usual sight in most parts of the United States, but for some people, it's not exactly a welcome one. Indeed, despite promises of big savings and suave marketing, the big box store hasn't been able to escape controversy, be it big news or personal grievances from the people who work there.

Strong Towns, an opponent of Walmart, reports that not only do these types of stores undermine communities by eliminating small businesses, but they also depend on "systematic poverty." A population whose major businesses have closed down following Walmart's arrival will be hungry for work, explains Strong Towns, and Walmart takes gross advantage of these now-incomeless and desperate workers as employees. 

In 2005, Robert Greenwald and Brave New Films released a documentary titled "Walmart: The High Cost of Low Prices," which explores the company's treatment of its workers, its effects on small-town America, and its environmental and economic influences. These are all considerable talking points that could warrant a discussion on the nature of government-business relationships and free markets in the United States.

One particular rule, however, has left some Redditors seeing red, as it seems to use workers as a way to bring in "donations." Is this an example of under-handed practices committed by an enormous economic powerhouse or is this simply a misunderstanding presented by people who dislike Walmart?

On the subreddit r/Walmart, a user by the name of u/BevsWalkingSticks posted an image of a laminated card that employees must wear. The card reads "I can't accept tips, but I can accept donations!" with the logo for the Children's Miracle Network in the background. According to the user, this is the store trying to get a tax write-off and they find it demeaning that employees have to wear the cards. Other users were sympathetic, stating that associates and employees should be allowed to accept tips to help compensate for their low paychecks.

"Helping kids live better," was the sarcastic remark of one user. Another says, "Meanwhile the associate themselves might be on food stamps or something," and one Redditor states "Poor employees are probably one paycheck away from loosing their car or house."

A self-proclaimed Walmart employee shares "I heard my SM yell at the customer service TL saying that she HAS to get customers to donate," and went on to add "This is a multibillion-dollar company, and everyone who shops/work here is poor."

Walmart, in all fairness, has been a part of the Children's Miracle Network since 1987, having raised $50 million in 2021 through fundraisers and charities across its United States and Canadian locations (via Children's Miracle Network). While the respectable organization relies heavily on donations, it seems Walmart employees would want someone to notice their plight and show them respect while doing it.