What Does Wal-Mart Have Against Lunch?
At Wal-Mart, not only is there no such thing as a free lunch, allegedly, there's no lunch at all. ThatÂ’s why Wal-Mart is back in court. This time, the worldÂ’s largest retailer is accused of denying thousands of workers' lunch breaks that are required by law.
The case concerns a California law requiring that workers receive a 30-minute, unpaid lunch break if they work at least six hours. If they do not get it, the employer is obligated to compensate them with an additional hour of pay. The lawsuit covers 116,000 former and current Wal-Mart employees in California, who are owed more than $66 million in back-pay plus interest for unpaid work during lunch.
Even though Wal-Mart’s own internal study back in 2000 showed that denial of lunch breaks was a “a chronic problem” at its stores, Wal-Mart still denies that it systematically broke the law and has fought to keep the suit out of court for the past four years!
When will Wal-Mart learn that treating workers fairly doesnÂ’t come at the expense of corporate profits? After all, workers who are treated with respect are more loyal to their employers and work harder too.
Demand that Wal-Mart take immediate steps to end these alleged workplace abuses!
Dear Mr. Scott,
I am writing to express my concern over the allegations Wal-Mart faces regarding its denial of lunch breaks to employees in accordance with California state law.
California law requires that employees who work at least six hours a day receive a 30-minute, unpaid lunch break. If they do not receive it, employees must be compensated with an additional hour of pay. Based on the evidence presented by the plaintiffs, it appears that violations of this law have been systematic and widespread at Wal-Mart stores. Moreover, I am troubled by the disclosure that your company’s management was aware of these violations as far back as 2000 and failed to act to remedy the situation.
As the largest corporation in the world and America’s largest private employer, you have an obligation to address these serious accusations. I strongly believe that treating workers fairly doesn’t come at the expense of productivity and corporate profits. After all, workers who are treated with respect are more loyal to their employers and work harder too.
It’s time for Wal-Mart to start living up to its promise as a model employer for America. I urge you to take immediate steps to end systematic discrimination against workers at Wal-Mart stores.
Sincerely,
[your name] 