Walmart Inc. controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2019
DOJ sues Walmart over alleged hiring discrimination
Lawsuit filed
In a controversy noted in the Walmart brand wiki, the U.S. Department of Justice filed suit alleging that Walmart denied a Navy Reserve officer a job because of her upcoming reserve duties. Walmart said it does not tolerate discrimination and would respond in court. The event was reported on October 30, 2019.
Company response
Clarification — Walmart
We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind and the allegations being made are extremely disturbing. We have policies and training in place to help ensure we are compliant with all laws, including USERRA. We take this seriously and will respond with the court as appropriate.
Source excerpt
The Justice Department filed suit Wednesday alleging Walmart denied a Navy Reserve officer a job due to upcoming reserve duties.
We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind and the allegations being made are extremely disturbing. We have policies and training in place to help ensure we are compliant with all laws, including USERRA. We take this seriously and will respond with the court as appropriate.
The firm said the claims of discrimination are “extremely disturbing,” and it does not “tolerate discrimination of any kind.”
2019
Walmart apologizes over cocaine-themed Santa sweater
Company response
Walmart apologized after customers discovered it was selling a sweater depicting Santa Claus with lines of cocaine. The item, uploaded by a third-party vendor and sold in Canada, was removed.
Company response
Apology — Walmart
Walmart is apologizing after customers discovered it was selling sweaters that appear to show Santa Claus with lines of cocaine in front of him.
Remediation — Walmart
It has since been removed.
Source excerpt
Walmart is apologizing after customers discovered it was selling sweaters that appear to show Santa Claus with lines of cocaine in front of him.
It has since been removed.
A third-party vendor uploaded the item and Walmart sold it in Canada.
2019
Walmart removes controversial Christmas sweaters from its Canadian website
Corrective action
Walmart removed Christmas sweaters from its Canadian website after images of the products were spotted by potential customers and posted on social media. Walmart said the sweaters did not represent its values and blamed a third-party seller for their appearance online.
Company response
Clarification — Walmart
The retailer acknowledged through a spokesperson that the sweaters ‘do not represent Walmart’s values and blamed a third-party seller for why they ended up online
Apology — Walmart
We apologize for any unintended offense this may have caused.
Remediation — Walmart
We have removed these products from our marketplace.
Source excerpt
Walmart pulled the sweater and others with Santa in uncompromising and sometimes sexually-suggestive positions, after the images were spotted by potential customers and were posted on social media,
The retailer acknowledged through a spokesperson that the sweaters ‘do not represent Walmart’s values and blamed a third-party seller for why they ended up online
"These sweaters, sold by a third-party seller on Walmart.ca, do not represent Walmart's values and have no place on our website," Walmart said in a statement on Saturday. "We have removed these products from our marketplace. We apologize for any unintended offense this may have caused."
2019
Walmart faces backlash over canceled Apple Watch orders
Public backlash
Customers complained publicly after Walmart canceled confirmed orders for Apple Watch Series 3 during its Black Friday sale, citing the item being out of stock. The article reports that some customers questioned whether the deal was a scam; it does not establish that it was.
Source excerpt
There were lots of people who had placed an order while the Apple Watch still showed in stock during the sale. The problem is that a lot of the people who placed their order while the smartwatch was showing in stock and received a confirmed order reply woke up Thanksgiving Day to an email from Walmart that said the wearable was out of stock and their order had been canceled.
Dozens of other people in the same boat with canceled Apple Watch Series 3 orders took to social media to complain with many wondering if the Apple Watch deal was a scam.
As of now, Walmart has not responded to the disturbing claims by customers.
2019
Shoppers threaten boycott over Walmart holiday pay policy
Public backlash
Some shoppers threatened to boycott Walmart after reports that employees received store discounts instead of extra pay for working on Thanksgiving. Walmart said it no longer offers holiday pay as part of a paid-time-off policy change made in 2016.
Company response
Clarification — Walmart
"We simplified our paid time-off policies in 2016 to combine vacation, holiday, sick and personal time into one bucket," the person wrote in a statement emailed to Business Insider. "As part of that change, we no longer offer holiday pay.
Source excerpt
"We simplified our paid time-off policies in 2016 to combine vacation, holiday, sick and personal time into one bucket," the person wrote in a statement emailed to Business Insider. "As part of that change, we no longer offer holiday pay.
This week's reports of Walmart employees receiving "measly" discounts in place of overtime pay for working on Thanksgiving Day have sparked an outcry online, and some shoppers are threatening to boycott the store.
And because of this, some shoppers are now threatening to boycott Walmart: Walmart is set to open its doors on Thanksgiving at 6 p.m.
2019
Mexico files lawsuit against Walmart over El Paso shooting
Lawsuit filed
The Mexican federal government filed a U.S. lawsuit against Walmart over the August 3 El Paso mass shooting, alleging that the shopping center failed to provide necessary and reasonable security measures.
Source excerpt
The Mexican federal government announced the filing of a lawsuit in a U.S. court against Walmart for the August 3 mass shooting in El Paso, Texas. Mexico City claims the shopping center failed in providing necessary and reasonable security measures.
The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida.
2018
Employment eligibility document discrimination settlement
The Justice Department announced a settlement over allegations that a Fort Worth Walmart store requested specific work-authorization documents from a lawful permanent resident and other non-U.S. citizens based on citizenship status.
2018
Medicaid prescription refill allegations
Walmart and Sam's Club agreed to pay $825,000 to resolve allegations concerning automatic refilling of certain Medicaid prescriptions and related claims. The resolution arose from a whistleblower action and did not constitute an admission beyond the settlement.
2015
Widow files wrongful-death lawsuit against Walmart and Swift Transportation
Lawsuit filed
The widow of Wiley Clark filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Walmart and Swift Transportation, alleging that they were responsible for her husband's death in a truck crash.
Source excerpt
The widow of a longtime law enforcement officer filed a wrongful lawsuit Thursday against Walmart, claiming that Walmart and Swift Transportation are responsible for her husband's death.
Lawyers say the truck driver, who works for Swift Transportation, a trucking company that works with Walmart, was fatigued, and that the truck he was in had maintenance issues.