Annette Bernsten
Lantern Staff
As the shopping craze caused by the pandemic slowly subsides, most retail companies are returning to normal pay for employees. Walmart is one of the few companies that has offered raises, but it only applies to a select few employees, creating an imbalance that is unfair for other workers.
The departments getting pay raises include management, bakery and deli, as well as a $1 increase for auto care, according to the New York Times. These specific departments were chosen because they are all part of Walmart’s asset protection. As a Walmart employee who works in the online grocery department, I find that the pay raise should apply to all departments. Especially during a time like this, online shopping and bulk shopping are at an all-time high. This makes positions like online grocery shoppers, stockers and cashiers more important than ever and should therefore give them an opportunity for a raise.
Now I’m not saying that these other departments do not deserve a raise; anyone who has the dedication to work a customer service job in the middle of a global pandemic deserves some credit. However, in a position that is becoming increasingly busier and a preferred method of shopping, online grocery employees should also receive a raise. It is becoming even more so a need now that Walmart is transitioning to become a more digital retailer.
While these select departments are getting raises, they are no longer able to receive quarterly bonuses. Even with this regulation, though, these positions are still getting paid more than other positions which are just as important to the success of Walmart.
After reading several articles regarding the pay increase for these departments, I noticed that many of the comments were negative reactions by employees. Many said that front end associates (cashiers, service desk, etc.) were deserving of the raise, as well as regular hourly associates. Understandably, these positions encounter the most customers, so it only makes sense that they should receive a raise for risking their lives to help serve others.
Walmart should consider ALL its employees, not just its assets. We are all in this together and therefore should all be able to get a raise for the work we do.