Workers Assail Night Lock-Ins by Wal-Mart

[LunarRay]

Originally posted by: Drift3r
In regards to those who mentioned calling 911, well just let me say that I have had experince in my neck of the woods were if you ain't dead or dying they tell you to haul yourself to the hospital or you call a toll free number and wait a few hours.

Well... In my neck of the woods we pay the salary of the folks who swear to 'Serve and Protect'. It is the job of the Police/Fire/Emergency Medical folks to respond and render assistance. The 'code' applied to the call is based on the 'interview' betwix the caller and the skilled operator.

 

[DragonMasterAlex]

This article is a fraud. I actually WORKED for Wal Mart at the time they implemented this policy 10 YEARS ago. The doors were locked because there had been a handful of incidents where employees would go outside and get beaten up and mugged by thugs (in crappy areas, obviously). Because of those incidents in crappy areas the policy was implemented at all Wal Mart stores.

However, there is at all times a Manager on site who has a key to the doors. On at least one occasion I had an emergency situation (family illness) that I had to unexpectedly leave work to attend to and it was no problem to let me out. On one occasion a maintenance employee got his hand caught in the scrubber and broke most of his fingers on one hand, and he was taken to the hospital.

There were NO problems letting people out.

Jason

 

[LunarRay]

Originally posted by: DragonMasterAlex
This article is a fraud. I actually WORKED for Wal Mart at the time they implemented this policy 10 YEARS ago. The doors were locked because there had been a handful of incidents where employees would go outside and get beaten up and mugged by thugs (in crappy areas, obviously). Because of those incidents in crappy areas the policy was implemented at all Wal Mart stores.

However, there is at all times a Manager on site who has a key to the doors. On at least one occasion I had an emergency situation (family illness) that I had to unexpectedly leave work to attend to and it was no problem to let me out. On one occasion a maintenance employee got his hand caught in the scrubber and broke most of his fingers on one hand, and he was taken to the hospital.

There were NO problems letting people out.

Jason

At the store you worked at the experience was different. The guy had to wait till someone figured out how to contact via telephone the appropriate manager who had the keys. So long as there was a telephone and someone who knew who or how to call there would be no issue.. well.. except for the fact that it is an injury on the job... but, even so a life issue can't wait an hour. 911 is the key.. Walmart or Sam's Ee's should be instructed to call 911 if an issue arises necessitating transport to hospital. The locked door issue should be like your situation.. an employee inside with keys to get outside.

 

[DragonMasterAlex]

I can't speak to what the policy may be *today*, but I can tell you that at that time, 10 years ago, it was *company policy* that there was a manager *with keys* on the premises at ALL times. On the rare occasions when the night manager *would* leave, he left the keys with the Assistant manager. We *always* had a way out.

On the emergency door situation, I find it *very* difficult to believe that if a person were to sustain a life-threatening injury and for whatever reason no manager with keys was on site that someone wouldn't open the emergency door. There is NO WAY that the company would fire them for such an action, if for no other reason than that they would open themselves to a HUGE lawsuit, a lot of bad publicity and so on. I find it hard to believe that an entire overnight staff (usually about 40 people between stockers, maintenance and management) wouldn't have a *single* person willing to take the risk if his coworker were that seriously wounded.

Jason

 

[Vic]

Locking employees in to protect and prevent theft I can understand. Locking them in without a manager who has the key in case of an emergency, I cannot.

 

[Babbles]

When I was a kid and worked the graveyard shift in a grocery store, they did lock us in, however we did have a night manager that had a key and would open the door for a smoke break. Also, our lunch was on the clock since we were not allowed to leave. Not to mention I highly I doubt that company would have any issues with an employee using an emergency exit for, oh I dunno, an emergency.

 

[LunarRay]

Originally posted by: DragonMasterAlex
I can't speak to what the policy may be *today*, but I can tell you that at that time, 10 years ago, it was *company policy* that there was a manager *with keys* on the premises at ALL times. On the rare occasions when the night manager *would* leave, he left the keys with the Assistant manager. We *always* had a way out.

On the emergency door situation, I find it *very* difficult to believe that if a person were to sustain a life-threatening injury and for whatever reason no manager with keys was on site that someone wouldn't open the emergency door. There is NO WAY that the company would fire them for such an action, if for no other reason than that they would open themselves to a HUGE lawsuit, a lot of bad publicity and so on. I find it hard to believe that an entire overnight staff (usually about 40 people between stockers, maintenance and management) wouldn't have a *single* person willing to take the risk if his coworker were that seriously wounded.

Jason

I agree.. it does seem odd. But, that is from my perspective. I actually can't imagine that occurring but, assuming it did it shows a few things. The folks are more afraid of being fired than their present emergency. They must be certain they are of no concern to Walmart personally and they must not know any rights that inure to an injured worker.

I use to cause meetings all the time about what to do in this or that situation as suggested by our various carriers (insurance and comp). I'm fairly certain Walmart has similar 'meetings'. If I'm not mistaken OSHA requires 'tailgate' and other meetings or at least strongly suggests it.. Not more than a few months ago I received a letter (I think from them) requesting I have the managers read 'the attached' to the workers.. Same for the Union.. but, that is handled by the shop steward or Rep.

 

[dirtboy]

Years ago I worked for Office Depot selling computers, back when the sales people were payed on commission. For one reason or another they were short handed so I had to work a couple nights stocking, doing inventory or whatever it was.

The manager or assistant manager locked us in. I thought this was weird, but they said it was to prevent breakins. It made sense and there were times that we'd leave and there would be weirdos hanging out there. The bottom line is, we couldn't get out. Now there was a manager onsite, but often they'd just tell you want to do and then disappear to some other part of the store.

When the shift was over we left as a group, which was common with any job I have worked in the future that required late night hours.

I don't see what the big deal is over this article. I find it unbelievable that a manager wouldn't be there somewhere. Now due to the size of a Walmart store I can see it taking a very long time to find someone, unless the employees wheren't smart enough to use the PA system.