Anyone work(ed) at Walmart?

[rszdtrvl]

Trying to avoid taking out a lot in student loans - the more we save, the less we will need to borrow!

 

[Mizzoufan]

I said that the options were limited on the app. but that I was looking for part time or seasonal part time. On the application, the only choices were : full time, part time, or full time part time seasonal. I was told that everyone is considered temporary or seasonal until the 90 day probation is up.

I never seen an app where the options were limited. When I worked there I was hired in at part time that was last year. Best of luck to you.

 

[rszdtrvl]

I was going to put seasonal on the application, but since that was not an option, I chose the closest area, the one that had temporary. And yes, I let the interviewer know that.
But I also said that I was looking for part time hours and that I was open to working only seasonal too. That was when I was told that everyone was only temporary to start.

 

[NewRVLady]

I worked retail the last 10 years=part time
the hardest part is being on your feet for hours at a time-GOOD shoes is the #1 most important thing

 

[MIGrandma]

I do not work at Wal-Mart, but my DH did for 3 years a few years ago. He is a full-time farmer and this was back when crop prices were at an all-time low and the farm was barely breaking even, so he and his brother-in-law (in partnership together, and with DH's Dad) were hired full-time at our local Wal-Mart. They worked night-stocking at first, then went to receiving. The extra money helped, and the stock option and 401 K, etc. too. Plus, for the first time in our married life, we didn't have to pay for our own health insurance. We had excellent coverage and his share to pay was $25 per 2-week pay check. It was awesome! Plus he had paid vacation and paid personal days. And the best part? They were allowed time off in the spring (about 4 weeks) for planting the crops on the farm, and time off in the fall (about 6 weeks) for harvesting. Their jobs were always waiting for them, with the regional manager telling them "just come back when you can." What kind of business does that for their employees? Not many that I can think of. DH and his brother-in-law were excellent employees, that's why they kept wanting them to come back. He ended up leaving after 3 years because they were pressuring him to get into the management training, and he would have had to give up farming for that and he wasn't willing to. Plus it was getting too hard on his body to do the job. But I will forever be a "Wal-Mart cheerleader" because of what they did for him...for us.

Our DD has worked at that same Wal-Mart for over 15 years. She started out in the fabric department, then went to the cash office, then zone supervisor (front end of store) and just recently started a new position there, personnel. She's enjoying having her own office and not having to deal with the public any longer.

If you have a good work ethic and do the job well they will probably keep you after the 90-days. There are always other positions being offered, you can work up the ladder if you choose to. Good luck!

 

[rszdtrvl]

I worked retail the last 10 years=part time
the hardest part is being on your feet for hours at a time-GOOD shoes is the #1 most important thing

I bought new shoes and am wearing them today with 2 pairs of socks and my arch supports (I have horrible feet as it is - had surgery last year and now it is looking like I am having an issue in that same foot again). Hoping to get them all stretched out for tomorrow.

I picked some that are slip ons, so that I can discreetly slide my feet out of them occasionally while working (shhhh!).

 

[rszdtrvl]

I do not work at Wal-Mart, but my DH did for 3 years a few years ago. He is a full-time farmer and this was back when crop prices were at an all-time low and the farm was barely breaking even, so he and his brother-in-law (in partnership together, and with DH's Dad) were hired full-time at our local Wal-Mart. They worked night-stocking at first, then went to receiving. The extra money helped, and the stock option and 401 K, etc. too. Plus, for the first time in our married life, we didn't have to pay for our own health insurance. We had excellent coverage and his share to pay was $25 per 2-week pay check. It was awesome! Plus he had paid vacation and paid personal days. And the best part? They were allowed time off in the spring (about 4 weeks) for planting the crops on the farm, and time off in the fall (about 6 weeks) for harvesting. Their jobs were always waiting for them, with the regional manager telling them "just come back when you can." What kind of business does that for their employees? Not many that I can think of. DH and his brother-in-law were excellent employees, that's why they kept wanting them to come back. He ended up leaving after 3 years because they were pressuring him to get into the management training, and he would have had to give up farming for that and he wasn't willing to. Plus it was getting too hard on his body to do the job. But I will forever be a "Wal-Mart cheerleader" because of what they did for him...for us.

Our DD has worked at that same Wal-Mart for over 15 years. She started out in the fabric department, then went to the cash office, then zone supervisor (front end of store) and just recently started a new position there, personnel. She's enjoying having her own office and not having to deal with the public any longer.

If you have a good work ethic and do the job well they will probably keep you after the 90-days. There are always other positions being offered, you can work up the ladder if you choose to. Good luck!

Thank you! I am just way too nervous about it all. Not working in so long and being a homebody for so long. DH says it is unnatural for the dog to be my best friend, LOL.
I am sure it will be fine, and the days will fly by - especially with it being the holiday season.

 

[scrapquitler]

Maybe it will be great. I am not a fan of change, and like I said, I am very family oriented, and I am worried that the dynamics will change not in a good way, even though DH and DS are adults.

I am, a big worrier!

Go in with an open mind. You might love it, you might hate it. Luckily for you, it seems that this job will be 'extra' for you and not a dire need to help you put food on the table, so if it doesn't work out and you hate it, you quit, not the end of the world.

Based on different things I've heard from different people, the store manager and supervisors will make a big difference. My local Walmart appears to be clean and well run, and many of the cashiers have been there for all the years they've been open in our town (around 15 years)....if a lot of cashiers are still there after all that time, it's probably not a horrible place to work.

 

[MIGrandma]

I bought new shoes and am wearing them today with 2 pairs of socks and my arch supports (I have horrible feet as it is - had surgery last year and now it is looking like I am having an issue in that same foot again). Hoping to get them all stretched out for tomorrow.

I picked some that are slip ons, so that I can discreetly slide my feet out of them occasionally while working (shhhh!).

I am a former waitress and wearing cheap shoes made my feet hurt a lot after being on them all day. I bought a pair of New Balance 843's and never went back to cheap shoes after that. It made all the difference in the world to have good, supportive shoes. Now I've converted to Skecher Go Walks and love, love, love them. I wore them almost every day on our last Disney trip.

 

[rszdtrvl]

I am a former waitress and wearing cheap shoes made my feet hurt a lot after being on them all day. I bought a pair of New Balance 843's and never went back to cheap shoes after that. It made all the difference in the world to have good, supportive shoes. Now I've converted to Skecher Go Walks and love, love, love them. I wore them almost every day on our last Disney trip.

I love my Go Walks too! I have 2 pairs of them. Hoping to find some in a slip resistant style soon - we are a smaller community and shopping centers do not exist. We are going out of town in a couple of weeks and I am going to hit the shoe stores!

 

[bsblady01]

I am a smart cookie! I am very hard-headed though, but am also very thick-skinned. I would be one who would likely be told to not be so blunt with the customers.
I am horrible about things like store credit cards because I hate the thought of people going into debt, so I already know that will be my weakest point.
And I know that I need to keep firm with the hours I said I was available to work, unless I decide that I am available more, as they will continue to schedule me outside of my available hours (my younger brother works at a WM an hour away).

Hours being hard to come by is a bonus actually, as I do not want to work a lot of hours. I already have a list of days I need off, one being a Friday and Sunday (with the Saturday separating them) and one being a Sunday right before Christmas (I know, doubtful I will get it off, but I have to try as we have tickets for a football game - go Seahawks!).

they will not give you any time off between thanksgiving and Christmas don't even ask

 

[rszdtrvl]

DH has said he is probably selling those tickets for the December game. So that is settled. There is a good chance DS can't make that game either, due to school sports.

I *am* however, asking for the game day off in October, so I can at least attend one game with my family. And I also am prepared to be working full time hours between Thanksgiving and Christmas, despite wanting only part-time.

 

[tvguy]

. They are VERY strict with breaks. If you do NOT clock out in the allotted time, you WILL be reprimanded (at it will reflect poorly on your record). Too many of those and you will be terminated. .

I'm in California and every company here is strict about employees getting breaks. At least every company that has checked the law or been found in violation of it. State law says full time employees HAVE to take a meal break. You can't work 8 straight like I did for the previous 25 years at 2 other companies. You can't take the break on the beginning or end of your shift, you can't take it BEFORE you have been at work 3 hours, or after you have been at work 5 hours. If you do, the company has to pay you 1 hour's straight time pay as a penalty. My company got in huge trouble over this 8 years ago, paid out something like $750,000 going back 3 years. I only got about $1,700, but one guy got enough to pay cash for a new Nissan 350 Z.

 

[Mizzoufan]

Walmart you get paid breaks so there no clocking in and out for breaks

 

[wilkeliza]

I worked at Wal-Mart for about 7 months. I wss originally trained as an over night cashier but then got moved to stock crew. I loved it! My cousin and aunt worked at the same store in the same position and I actually got moved because my grandma retired just a couple weeks before I got hired. Once they realized who my family was they moved me over to stock because my grandma, aunt and cousin were two of their best stockers and figured I'd work just as hard. We had great over night managers who made it a ton of fun and a lot of fun coworkers. I left to go back to college but really enjoyed my time. My cousin now works at one of the warehouses but is on medical leave while she battles cancer. My brothers both work at Wal-mart as well. One has been there for about 10 years and the other off and on for the last 5. The only complaint they have is management. They say the customers are amusing and the coworkers are mostly nice.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

DW worked there in college - her MOH much longer. They both really liked it. Our local one has many employees who go back to our original store (the current one is the 3rd one we've had) almost 30 years ago. It can't be THAT bad.

But as noted, it's very store specific.

 

[Mizzoufan]

they will not give you any time off between thanksgiving and Christmas don't even ask

That not completely true. If you ask and not many have asked off for the same time you have a good chance of getting the time. Just depends on how many others have asked off for the same time

 

[bsblady01]

That not completely true. If you ask and not many have asked off for the same time you have a good chance of getting the time. Just depends on how many others have asked off for the same time

not during the holidays

 

[Mizzoufan]

not during the holidays

We will just have to agree to disagree then

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Maybe it will be great. I am not a fan of change, and like I said, I am very family oriented, and I am worried that the dynamics will change not in a good way, even though DH and DS are adults.

I am, a big worrier!

You will be fine and probably love working. Congrats!