I think the quote by Lee Scott, former CEO of Walmart spoke best to this when he said “Out of 4,000 stores there are some knuckle-headed store managers who do things the wrong way. When we find out about it, we fix it” (paraphrased).

I think Walmart has changed with the times and certainly is not practicing the same archaic personnel policies that got them a bad reputation. I think that a large part of that was how store manager’s bonus pay was calculated, it encouraged them to cheat people. It has been altered now to include other factors. I think overall there’s just a better breed of manager coming into the company, we now have pick of the best with the recession going on.

FYI our average hourly wage in CA is north of $11 and MANY hourly associates in our stores earn much more than that. We also have many associates who are 10,15,20-35 years with the company. Walmart has made many of those “lower” paid associates MILLIONAIRES with the company’s stock purchase plan. They have always shared their success with the associates.

I think if you go into a newly remodeled Walmart store you would probably change your opinion about the company.