Let's talk about things at work!
This is my Associate Exerience!
Today I’m talking about my experience working at Walmart — why I quit, and how it all went down. This is just my personal experience, so take it as that.
I worked as a cashier. The application process is simple: you apply online (I’ll drop the link below). One tip — after applying, call back in a few days to follow up. It makes them feel like you really want the job, and it can speed things up. Once they check your application, you’ll be scheduled for orientation.
Orientation is pretty basic. They ask a few questions like “who are you,” “what do you like doing,” “what are your hobbies,” then give you a quick store tour. After that, you have to finish training modules on the computer before you can start on the floor. It took me about a week to finish mine, and you get paid while doing it.
Once I was on the floor, I mainly worked self-checkout or cashier. Self-checkout is easy — you just stand there for hours watching customers and keeping an eye out for theft. And trust me, people steal a lot from Walmart. I saw someone walk out with almost $2,000 worth of stuff one time. Regular cashiering was better for me because it made the day go by faster, but it could get stressful with huge grocery orders, produce that wouldn’t scan, or customers upset about how their bags were packed.
Walmart is also very strict about breaks. Cashiers get one hour for lunch, which felt too long for me, and only 10 minutes for breaks — and they watch those breaks like a hawk. If you’re even a minute late, managers will say something.
Now, here’s why I left. One day, I was cashiering in the cosmetics area. A customer came through with cactus plants. While scanning, I felt my hand start to sting. Even though I was wearing gloves, I realized I had dozens of tiny thorns stuck in my hand. I pressed the help button, but it took managers 15 to 20 minutes to come. By then, my hand was swollen and painful. When I showed them, instead of taking the injury seriously, they just told me to clock out and said I’d get points against my record.
That was the last straw. I had already been given points before for missing work due to a relative’s passing — even though I provided paperwork and proof. And now, after getting injured on the job, they didn’t care at all. So I decided to walk out. A couple weeks later, Walmart “terminated” me, but let’s be clear: I quit. I wasn’t going to stay at a place where management didn’t care about my well-being.
As for the managers (or “coaches” as Walmart calls them), they weren’t helpful at all. They don’t train you, they don’t guide you — honestly, my co-workers were the ones who showed me the ropes. And while some co-workers were cool, I also learned that you can’t trust everyone. Some people will snitch or step on you just to move up into management.
So, my final thoughts: working at Walmart wasn’t terrible, but it was boring, strict, and the management didn’t care about employees. If you do work there, just go in, do your job, mind your business, and go home. Don’t expect much support.
That was my experience.
Full Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMa187llNMM&ab_channel=CFyne
... read moreDo Employers Like Walmart Have To Provide Benefits To Part-Time Employees?
I am located in Texas and I would like to ask if somebody knew what is the legal requirement here
Toxic manager
Im the happiest person in the store. #1 in surveys. Fastest cashier. 4th in time of getting to customers. I know all fruit and vegetable codes. The customers love me. I show up to work on time. Can't get promoted. My direct boss talks down to me every 5 minutes. I just can't take it anymore. I'm miserable and know one cares. I love Walmart. How depressing... Thinking of moving on since my accomplishments aren't rewarded with a raise or promotion or even respect. I will also miss riding the cleaning machine because I got really good at it.
... read moreMajor Fraud with 1200 contractors / kickbacks
There is a discussion on blind and reddit about this - here are some links:
Linkedin Profile (now purged): https://archive.is/zUZ39
Nuked thread from layoffs.com: https://archive.is/gNboY
Live Reddit Thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/Layoffs/comments/1mwezhn/massive_fraud_at_walmart_vp_getting_kickbacks/
Live Blind Thread: https://www.teamblind.com/post/massive-fraud-at-walmart-770kf4op
Contractors were hired through friendly consulting firms (often tied to the VP or associates).
Kickbacks came back to the VP and other leaders, sometimes disguised as real estate deals in India.
**Allegation: ** A Walmart Vice President was allegedly caught taking kickbacks through a subcontractor (reportedly Caspex). ** Kickbacks were described as a per-contractor hourly fee (some estimates said $5/hr per contractor, potentially tens of millions annually).
The VP was said to control ~400 contractors out of 1200, but all were terminated when the fraud was uncovered.
Contractors were hired through friendly consulting firms (often tied to the VP or associates).
Kickbacks came back to the VP and other leaders, sometimes disguised as real estate deals in India.
Caspex was specifically named, with claims it had also misused a $5M PPP loan.
Consequences:
The VP was rumored to have been fired.
All 1200 contractors from that vendor were terminated.
The VP allegedly owns multiple properties and has amassed tens of millions, possibly shielding him from financial ruin despite losing the job.
Reactions:
Some commenters demanded law enforcement action, calling it fraud and even suggesting RICO charges.
Others pointed out this type of corruption is widespread in tech and not unique to Walmart.
The discussion devolved into heavy racial and national origin blame, with many targeting Indian executives and H1B contractors, while a smaller group pushed back against the stereotyping.
Bottom line: A Walmart VP was allegedly removed over a contractor kickback scheme involving Caspex, leading to mass contractor terminations, heated debate about systemic corruption, and controversy over H1B hiring practices.
... read moreFreight Day and Financial Growth
Overnight freight shifts at a Walmart supercenter don’t look glamorous. Pallets, trucks, and hours on your feet. But behind the scenes, something else is happening. Every hour worked builds retirement contributions, grows PTO balances, and feeds the employee stock purchase plan.
A Microsoft engineer coding late into the night sees RSUs vesting slowly over five years. A Walmart associate unloading freight sees benefits compounding immediately — 401(k) matches, stock discounts, and health coverage kicking in earlier than at many retailers.
The grind feels worlds apart, but financially, the structure rewards patience in both cases. Walmart’s version is less flashy, but for those who stick with it, the outcome can look surprisingly similar.
... read moreTwo Career Paths, Two Outcomes
Picture two 25-year-olds. One starts at Walmart as a cashier, the other at Microsoft as a junior engineer. At first, the difference looks impossible to bridge.
Microsoft pays six figures. Walmart pays hourly, maybe $16. The engineer lives in Seattle, the associate in Bentonville. From the outside, it looks like one path guarantees success and the other just survival.
But zoom out. The Walmart associate uses Live Better U to earn a degree without student loans. They get health coverage earlier than most retail jobs, contribute steadily to the 401(k), and benefit from both company matches and auto-contributions. They also buy discounted stock every paycheck. After ten years, they’re promoted to assistant manager, then store manager — now earning $150k–$200k with bonuses.
Meanwhile, the Microsoft engineer carries student loan debt, pays $3,000/month rent in Seattle, and waits five years for stock to fully vest. Promotions come slower, tied to review cycles and degree requirements. Yes, their salary is higher on paper, but the cost of living erodes much of that advantage.
By 35, the Walmart manager owns a home in Bentonville and carries no tuition debt. The Microsoft engineer is renting in Seattle with higher cash flow but lower net worth. Levels.fyi charts show the salary gap. Reality shows the wealth gap shrinking.
It’s a reminder: Walmart’s benefits aren’t flashy, but when leveraged fully, they create a financial trajectory that outsiders consistently underestimate.
... read moreQuietly Building Bigger Nest Eggs
Associates who stay long-term often retire with stronger savings than outsiders expect. Auto-contributions and stock discounts compound invisibly until retirement day arrives.
A Shadow Pension Few Notice
Walmart’s automatic retirement contributions function like a quiet pension. Even associates who don’t contribute much themselves still build wealth passively. That makes it unique compared to Microsoft and VMware, where saving is more self-driven.
... read moreThe Flexibility of Store Transfers
Walmart associates can transfer stores while keeping tenure and benefits. Tech employees often need to switch companies entirely to move cities. That stability is underrated.
Team-Based Bonuses
Walmart’s bonuses tie directly to store and team performance, not just manager reviews. That shared accountability makes rewards feel more collective.
Salary vs. Lifestyle in Bentonville
Housing in Bentonville averages around $1,200 for a two-bedroom, compared to $3,000+ in Seattle. That means Walmart’s lower nominal salaries can still buy more stability.
PTO Flexibility Through Accrual
Instead of a fixed block of days, Walmart associates earn PTO steadily. That flexibility makes it easier to align time off with store needs or personal life.
Insurance Beyond Full-Time
Walmart is one of the few major employers offering health coverage to eligible part-timers. That’s life-changing for students and working parents.
Healthcare Savings That Add Up
Lower health premiums at Walmart save families thousands compared to VMware or Microsoft plans. Over a decade, that difference is a second nest egg.
Internal Promotions vs. Degree Gates
At Walmart, cashiers can move into management in under five years. In tech, climbing levels often requires a degree plus outside competition. Walmart’s ladder may be shorter, but it moves faster.
Building Wealth Through Stock Discounts
Walmart’s 15% employee stock purchase discount doesn’t get the same attention as RSUs. But steady, consistent buying turns into serious savings over a decade.
Family Leave Where It’s Needed Most
In retail, paid family leave is rare. Walmart’s six weeks for hourly associates is more than triple Home Depot’s two. It’s still less than Microsoft’s four months, but in the context of retail, it’s groundbreaking.
... read morePTO That Compounds Like Savings
Associates with more than 10 years at Walmart can accumulate weeks of PTO, rivaling corporate tech standards. Time off builds like retirement savings — you don’t notice the growth until you really need it.
... read moreTwo Layers of Retirement Contributions
Walmart offers both a 401(k) match and automatic company contributions. Microsoft only offers the match. It’s a quiet but significant difference in long-term wealth.
Live Better U: A Hidden Wealth Builder
One of Walmart’s most underrated benefits is Live Better U, covering 100% of tuition. Microsoft offers $10k a year in reimbursement, but Walmart removes the ceiling completely. For hourly associates, that’s not just a perk — it’s a long-term wealth multiplier, as it allows upward mobility without debt.
... read moreThe Cost-of-Living Equation
A Walmart software engineer making $90k in Bentonville may live more comfortably than a Microsoft engineer earning $130k in Seattle. Salary charts don’t always capture lifestyle realities.
Store Manager Pay vs. Big Tech Engineers
Walmart store managers regularly earn $150k–$200k with bonuses. That’s comparable to L5 engineers at Microsoft, except the path there doesn’t always require a degree. Different ladders, surprisingly similar top rungs.
... read moreHealth Insurance for Part-Timers
Unlike most major retailers, Walmart extends health insurance options to eligible part-time employees. That benefit doesn’t make headlines, but for workers balancing school or family, it’s huge.
