1. Identify and describe the major labor relations issues facing Walmart and the likely
stakeholders to be affected.
2. Walmart has been said to have excessive power in its relationship with communities. How is
its manifestation of power with employees similar to or different than with communities? Which
is the most serious issue? Why?
The manifestation of power is similar between communities and employees in that it is a free
3. Are many of the allegations by employees at Walmart just reflections of the changing social
contract between companies and their workers? Are many of the so-called problems just the
free-enterprise system at work? Discuss.
4. -the-
The practice of requiring employees paid by the hour to work off the clock is unethical and
5. Is it wrong for Walmart to fight unionization? Sam Walton always felt the company should
function as one big happy family and that unions were to be resisted. What is your evaluation of
the union opposition?
W
6. If Walmart can effectively argue that women are contributors to their plight by not applying
for promotions or for seeking fewer responsibilities to accommodate family priorities, should the
company be held to be in violation of sex discrimination laws because the statistics reveal
differences between women and men?
7. Regarding the various labor practices discussed in this case, do they reflect questionable
treatment of associates or just the business system at work?
It seems as though the various labor practices discussed reflect a mixture of questionable
8. Have increased competitiveness, globalization, higher wages, technology, and lack of a
stronger e- with its associates?
9. Conduct Internet research on Walmart and update allegations and lawsuits against the
company.
November saw the release of the film Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price. Through
