Yet when it comes to a better life, Walmart trails far behind Microsoft, Starbucks and Google, which have all come forward in support of marriage equality. We’ll give the world an opportunity to see what it’s like to save and have a better life.” We want to make sure we have the absolute best talent at Walmart and that all associates can bring their authentic selves to work.”Īt the 2010 shareholders meeting in Fayetteville, CEO Mike Duke rolled out the concept “Next Generation Walmart,” proclaiming, “If we work together, we’ll lower the cost of living for everyone.
“But for us the whole thing is about talent. “We offer same-sex partner benefits in states where it is required,” she said. Walmart needs to move towards parity.”ĭiversity officer Orlopp said the issue of benefits comes up every year. “But they should not have to go through undue legal burden of traveling to another state to acquire same-sex partner benefits. “We applaud Walmart for implementing basic workplace protections for their LGBT employees,” she said. A majority of Fortune 500 companies offer domestic partnership benefits. This summer, Walmart PRIDE launched an “Allies for Inclusion” program at one of its meetings, where Sam’s Club president and CEO Rosalind Brewer took the stage in support.īut Deena Fidas, deputy director of the Workplace Project at the Human Rights Campaign based in Washington, D.C., said it’s time for Walmart to step up. Most recently the policy, which also protects transsexual associates, was revised to include intersexed individuals. Last year, Walmart extended its non-discrimination policy to include gender expression and gender identity. Still, Walmart has made some strides towards equality within the company. Three years later, Walmart got flack from the other side, when the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force as well as the Human Rights Campaign called for a boycott, telling LGBTQ shoppers to avoid Walmart stores. It issued a statement saying it would no longer contribute to “highly controversial issues, or give preference to gay or lesbian suppliers.” AFA accused the retailer of yielding to a “radical homosexual agenda.” Walmart responded by withdrawing from the chamber. The national right-wing Christian American Family Association called for a nationwide Black Friday boycott. It also co-sponsored an annual convention of “Out & Equal,” a group that promotes equality in the workplace.īut the company quickly caught flack. In 2007, Walmart courted the so-called “Lavender Marketplace” by paying $25,000 to join the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. “And when we opened a Walmart Express in a Chicago neighborhood which is predominately gay, our PRIDE group had involvement with selecting product assortment.” “Associates there, as well as in our Tulsa market, recently held a ‘Coming Out’ day,” she said. She said Walmart PRIDE has recently expanded beyond Northwest Arkansas, to include colleagues at the company’s e-commerce headquarters in San Bruno, Calif., home to.
“Our company has an inclusive environment where they do feel comfortable bringing their authentic selves to work,” said Sharon Orlopp, Walmart’s chief diversity officer. Meanwhile, a few dozen gay associates quietly organized Walmart PRIDE. Hispanics, Asians, blacks, women, Native Americans and Pacific Islanders formed affinity groups.
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Two years later, corporate associates were encouraged to organize cultural and ethnic resource groups - support groups to enhance professional development and to foster a sense of community. Another woman reported that after coming out, she was written up, then terminated for what she said was a minor infraction.įears eased in 2003, after Walmart set diversity goals and expanded its workplace nondiscrimination policy to include sexual orientation. A transsexual said she presented as male to hide her true identity. Ten years ago, when queried about bias at company headquarters, one lesbian said she kept a photo of a fake husband on her desk to dispel suspicions.
Rumors circulated that if you came out, you faced being fired. For minorities and especially elders, the claim may be true, although complaints about glass ceilings and low wages remain ubiquitous.īut in the early days of Walmart, being gay meant working in the closet. Walmart claims diversity has been at the core of its culture since Sam Walton opened his first discount center in Arkansas in 1962. “So I believe it is Sam’s charge for us to dream bigger, to make tomorrow’s actions much larger, more innovative more challenging - and much better.”