Greeters have been a part of the Walmart experience since, well, pretty much as long as the retail chain has been around. The practice was started by Walmart founder Sam Walton and later picked up by other stores in the chain until it became the norm for all stores in the United States and Canada.
Although the big box chain has long been a subject of criticism for labor practices and negatively impacting communities, the role of People Greeter has typically been lauded as going to those who may find it difficult to find employment elsewhere, such as the disabled and elderly. Which is why people are incensed that Walmart U.S. President and CEO Greg Foran announced Thursday that the chain would be removing People Greeters from its 1,000 some stores nationwide in favor of a new position called Customer Host effective April 26.
This new Customer Host role will apparently require a different skill set, including handling customer refunds, scanning receipts, and checking shopping carts. In an official statement, Foran attempted to assure folks that “specific steps” would be taken to support associates with disabilities:
First, as you may or may not know, whenever a position is changed, we provide all associates with a 60-day window to apply for other roles within the store. During this period, those associates continue to work in their current role.
In terms of the associates with disabilities who are transitioning out of the People Greeter position, we recognize these people face a unique situation. And because not all disabilities are the same, each case requires a thoughtful solution.
Foran added that stores are extending the 60-day transition period for associates with disabilities impacted by the changes while they “explore the circumstances and potential accommodations that will make sense for each person.” Yet, given Walmart’s track record, not everyone is convinced that they’ll make good on their promises.
My goodness, @Walmart, this ISN’T right. Many of your employees with disabilities are leading productive lives. Now you’re taking it away? 👎🏻 “Walmart Is Eliminating Greeters. Workers With Disabilities Feel Targeted” https://t.co/nD7aNehoDK
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) March 1, 2019
Shame on you @Walmart to do away with your greeters as you have. Your new policy is heartless. Thought you were better. Shame. VERY disappointed. #Walmart
— dave morales (@daveBackstageOL) March 1, 2019
Shame on @Walmart for getting rid of it's greeters. Disgusting that all those people with DISABILITIES who depended on that job. It gives so many people with disabilities a purpose. #Walmart https://t.co/C6tTYYf9Qm … This was one of the reasons why I respected your store. SHAME.
— Brooke (@CrazyBoothSocks) March 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/Castlesuzanne/status/1101339402138275840
Walmart meeting discussing eliminating store greeters: pic.twitter.com/gnbnZGTGnQ
— Stef Fanski (@Oh__Cleveland) March 1, 2019
I will shop at the store that employs these greeters instead of Walmart if they lose their jobs!
Greeters are happy to greet ppl b/c they don't have to be running or checking stock like any other employee has to do.
It's discrimination, period!
— Lori (@LoriRaizin) March 1, 2019
This is scary and sad and WRONG! Faithful employees who WANT to work forced out of their jobs. I hope this changes.
—————-
Walmart Is Eliminating Greeters. Workers With Disabilities Feel Targeted https://t.co/AgTGq24sRJ— Micah Fowler (@micahdfowler) February 26, 2019
https://twitter.com/GracieFoth/status/1100920019175776259
@Walmart I’m sorry to hear that you are eliminating the Greeter position at all of your stores. For us customers, the Greeters are one of true bright spots of our trip to your stores. The fact that your greeters are elderly or special needs individuals made them all the better!
— Ryan Eagle (@r_eagle) March 1, 2019
When the bottom line is more important than the people that helped make it for them. The greeters have been around since Walmart's early days. It provides jobs for retirees and handicapped. Very sad and just plain wrong.
— REL@1213Robert (@1213treboR) March 1, 2019
"In the lawsuit filed in Utah, former greeter Manase Yokwe alleges that in mid-2016, greeters were asked to raise their hands if they couldn't work while standing — and those who did were later asked to consider severance agreements." https://t.co/SvrFjQY2aI
— Sarah Jones (@onesarahjones) March 1, 2019
Perhaps the preemptive push-back and negative press will give Walmart a little more incentive to accommodate disabled employees, although people are understandably concerned that this hasn’t influenced them before.