It is the nation’s largest retailer and employer. It is, of course, Wal-Mart. Like every other corner of America, the Milwaukee area has several of the retail giant’s stores.
Because it is the biggest, it’s a good idea to watch how Wal-Mart treats its employees. The company recently settled a legal claim filed by two former workers who accused it of several employment law violations, including racial discrimination, disability discrimination, FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) infractions and retaliation. The former employees also said a hostile work environment permeated the store.
The lawsuit was filed two years ago in Idaho against the retail chain and manager of the Chubbuck location. Settlement terms are confidential, but an employment law attorney who represented the plaintiffs expressed satisfaction with the deal reached before a scheduled trial commenced.
One of the plaintiffs is Hispanic and was subjected to criticism and discipline spared non-Hispanic white co-workers in similar circumstances.
The hostile work environment took a toll on the man, who began to suffer from depression. He took an approved one-month FMLA leave, but was fired upon his return to work. “Little explanation” was given for the firing, according to a news report.
The other man’s experiences with FMLA leave were similar. He said he suffered retaliation after taking approved leaves, and was mocked by the general manager as a “wuss.”
With the help of an experienced attorney, workers can take on the giants of the corporate world when violations of employment law occur.
