Photo: Contributed
UPDATE 1:57 p.m.
Walmart Canada responded to our request for comment after a frontline agent reached out to us about the lack of pandemic trains at the West Kelowna Walmart, among other things.
Felicia Fefer Manager, Walmart Corporate Affairs, says, “We take so much pride in everything our employees do every day to support our customers and each other. They really show the Walmart spirit by taking up the challenge in these unprecedented times place. “
Fefer also points out that Walmart is taking steps to ensure the well-being of its customers and employees.
What it states are:
- Starting August 12, 2020, we will now require all customers and employees who work in a Walmart store that is not already subject to a local government mandate to wear a mask or face covering in the public areas of our stores.
- Increased cleaning in our branches.
- Health checks that include a temperature check for all employees at the beginning of each shift.
- Limiting the number of customers who shop in stores at the same time.
- Cleaning the shopping cart.
- Encouragement to wash your hands regularly.
- Regular cleaning of work areas (including cash registers).
- Attachment of Plexiglas partition walls at cash registers, customer service counters and in our pharmacies.
- Introduction of floor markings and one-way corridors to create physical distance.
Fefer also states that Walmart has accelerated bonus payments of $ 16 million for hourly employees.
“Hourly employee bonuses are typically paid out in a single payment based on the annual performance of the business. In addition, we are offering several extended discount days throughout the summer where employees can enjoy an additional discount on their purchases in addition to their existing regular employee discount. “
Fefer also says that Walmart is providing all 90,000 employees with continuous and free access to EQ Care. According to its website, EQ Care sets the standard for service excellence in virtual healthcare.
ORIGINAL 4:00 am
A West Kelowna Walmart employee comments on the retailer’s unfair practices.
The employee, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation, says he started working at the West Kelowna Walmart in March, when the pandemic was just beginning.
“All the stores were super busy, I know Walmart and Real Canadian Superstore started paying their employees $ 2 extra for three months, which I think was an incentive to keep people working because I know a lot of other people lived from CERB (The Canadian Emergency Aid). “
Stores like Walmart and the Real Canadian Superstore stopped paying pandemic in mid-June.
The employee says that he and other employees in his business believe they should still get the extra $ 2 an hour as the pandemic is still a threat. Walmart just rolled out a mask policy for all of its customers and employees on Wednesday.
“Why do we have to wear masks, are we at risk of becoming infected and don’t get any compensation or danger pay? I don’t think that’s fair and I know there are other workers who think that way.”
The employee says he and other workers are frustrated and feel that they have no option: “We are angry and cannot do anything. As always, we cannot do anything.”
Castanet spoke to a duty manager at Walmart about the allegations.
“As far as an employee turns to you, we are not aware of it,” said the manager. “Of course we will not comment on this. You should contact our media department in Toronto.”
Castanet reached out to Walmart Media Relations for a comment but has not yet received a response.
