Management above your immediate Team Lead (former Department Managers) can be useless and lazy. Although the Team Lead position does have its share of useless, lazy people, who seem to out number the conscientious, productive Team Leads. The Team Lead in my former department accepted the promotion and pay raise, but will not surpervise the Asset Protection Associates at the front doors. This responsibility was delighted to non management Asset Protection Investigators in the Asset Protection Office. The Coaches (former Assistant Store Managers) for the most part are actually are lazy, useless people who seem to hide all day. However, there are conscientious, productive Coaches who actually work and care about their associates. There might be 2 or 3 per store from my experience. The Store Manager will set the management culture for the store. He or She will either adhere to "by-the-book" corporate policy or let lower management run amok. As Walmart managers have few or no "people" or "soft" skills to begin with and seem to lack actual knowledge of corporate policy and procedures the work culture in many stores can be demeaning and toxic for floor associates. Most stores intentionally understaff to boost management bonuses which can be 15% to 20% of their salaries. Coach salaries are $65,000.00 to $80,000.00 per year. While a new-hire associate who actually works might get a $350.00 annual bonus based on store performance ( 16.8 cents per hour for full time). If you've been there 20 years it's a $1,000.00 bonus (48.1 cents per hour full time). Due to understaffing and fellow paycheck collecting associates who will do anything but work the entire workload falls on the conscientious associates who actually work.
Everything bad that you've heard about Walmart sadly is true. I've worked there nearly 13 years so I'm speaking from experience.
I've seen management use underhanded methods to fire associates especially elderly associates who aren't tech savvy and don't own smart phones which would allow them to follow there schedules on the app. Management would abruptly change the associate's schedule without any notice causing her to be a no-call no-show on several occasions which are serious infractions that lead to termination. FYI, she would verify her next day's schedule at the time clock after clocking out from her shift. Walmart management as a whole seems to be programmed to tune out any input or concerns from anyone below management level which is demeaning and disconcerting. You could almost literally tell a manager his or her is on fire and he or she will just turn around and walk away without acknowledging anything. Also there really is little to no opportunity for advancement as management will only promote favorites and friends. Which might explain why many managers aren't actually qualified for the positions they hold despite Academy training.
For all it's worth working at Walmart is a soul crushing, toxic environment for expendable cogs who aren't willing to sell their souls and drink the cool aid.
