I know lots of people that work at coporate Walmart and love it. Maybe you daughter will just move to NW Arkansas for a really good job since she has the education for it.

I live in Oklahoma, but a lady in my neighborhood has been driving to Arkansas for work at WM for years.

Susie, congratulations for working in a place you love! I don't go to Walmart for personal reasons, but love reading about people who find a place that treats them well and love what they are doing!

What's wrong with working at Wal-Mart? I must have missed that memo. Glad you are doing well.

Yay, Susie. Nothing wrong with Walmart at all. Any good, honest job is worth feeling good about. Congrats to the EOTM. Do you get the best parking space for a month??

Good for you and your family Susie.

Personally, I've never understood why people take a stand about shopping at Walmart. It is a store for god sakes. If they have what you want shop there, if they don't go elsewhere.

Obviously, Walmart has been great for your family. I'm glad you are happy in your new job.

Ann

What I've found about Walmart is that if you have a good work ethic, you'll do fine.

Glad to hear you're enjoying your job. Don't be embarrassed about it! Be proud that you have honest work. You're not harassing people while they have their meals or take their naps. You're not taking advantage of elderly and naive or any number of other things.

I know several people who either work at Walmart or have worked there in the past and basically, all have good things to say about the experience.

I don't shop Walmart often but it's not some prissy attitude thing. It's because there aren't any that are convenient for me! Believe it or not. Plus I avoid huge stores when possible since it's hard to get around although I will say Walmart has a number of the electric carts and they're always fully charged when I've been there. Can't say that for some other stores! The other reason is that I seem to go in with a list of 20 things to get and come out with maybe half of them. Shopping Walmart is like shopping a garage sale. You never know what you'll find! That's not a criticism, it's a fact. I understand how valuable the shelf space is in there so I understand that if it doesn't turn, it's tossed. That's just good business sense.

I still laugh thinking back to when Walmart opened on the iron range in Minnesota. Heavy union area and so the union worked to keep Walmart and Target out of the area. Finally Walmart made the city an offer they couldn't refuse and built a store. Well the old union folk thought they could boycott, picket and close the place down. They huffed and they puffed and... well, it's thriving. Wanna know the funniest part? They news showed people coming there. Husband and wife teams. The one spouse would grab a picket sign and start walking in front of the store. What do you suppose the other spouse did? They went in, grabbed a cart and went shopping! Said it all for me! All those union dollars became Walbucks!

I for one am not a fan of the Unions! OK so they had their reasons for existing but I believe that now they are doing more harm than good!

I think people assume retail doesn't pay much but I just found out that a relative makes $120,000 as a grocery store manager and some of his friends make $200,000 as district managers! Hey...what's wrong with that?! NOTHING!!!!

Susie, I think it is great that you are enjoying your job. There's nothing wrong with having family working in the same place either. In fact that's really fun, when you are all home it probably makes for some interesting conversations.

Nancy

So glad you found a job you love, Susie! And the rest of the family, too!

I went to dinner with a group of girlfriends the other night. There were six of us. Not one of us love our jobs, actually most of us don't even like what we're doing. But we all feel stuck until the economy gets better...if it ever does, that is.

So more power to ya!

Linda

I think it's awesome that you and your entire family are working! There is never shame in working and taking pride in your job.

I like shopping at Wal-Mart. So far I haven't found a Wal-Mart that I disliked, and we rely on them a lot when we travel. Of course, I was introduced to WM when in college - - my then-boyfriend (now hubby) took me to the one in his hometown. Come to find out, it was the 25th Wal-Mart ever built.

My hubby has been unemployed for awhile, and applying at WM has been something he's thought about, after we get back from this trip (burying his mom). Like the OP, it would be a short commute - - heck, he could WALK!

Donna

My only gripe with WM is that they are killing Main St America. Of course, shoppers could choose to shop on Main St, but go for the bargains instead -- and why not? The Main St of the small town my parents came from was hanging on by a thread. A Walmart opened nearby and that spelled death for Main St. It is very sad to see all the boarded up shops. Of course, they probably all work for WM now!

Susie, good for you and your family. I remember thinking that although you were devastated, you would land on your feet - I posted 'change is good'. Sounds like for once I was right!

But, Pam, the downtown shopping districts were dying long before Walmart came along. In my hometown in CT, a large mall opened in 1960; the stores on Main St couldn't compete, and pretty soon the center of town was a dead zone. The same thing happened in the 1970s here in Baltimore, where the four major department stores all opened branches at suburban malls and eventually closed the downtown stores. People want to shop where it's safe and parking is free and convenient. Bright, clean environments, competitive prices, and friendly staff attract customers, too. I'm sorry that so many downtowns have died (some cities have revitalized them, but with cultural attractions, not just shopping), but I don't think Walmart and Target are to blame--at least, they are a small part of a much bigger picture.

Susie, I'm really happy that your misfortune last year turned into such a great opportunity for you!

Sue

I'm glad to hear that you all are happily employed. It makes for better sleep at night.

Lee

Susie_que,

Congratulations to you and your family! Your positive attitude and hard work truly paid off. It was a pleasure to read your account of your family's success at Walmart.

Ann

Susie, that's great! I'm glad the job has worked out so well for you.I just wish the Walmarts near had that kind of service. The staff is always very helpful, but I don't think I've ever seen any of them in the apparel departments. Maybe they're understaffed here in PA.

I'm not in this forum very often, but I lurk a lot. I just wanted to say that I'm glad you're in a place you enjoy. It has been said many times, but it's especially true in this economy: Work is a privilege! Congratulations to you, Susie.

Susie, congratulations on loving your job at Walmart. I have always been a WM supporter and you have nothing to be ashamed about. Say it with pride.

Walmart isn't killing main street America. Those that do not shop there and the store owners that can't meet the costs are killing Main Street.

Regarding Main St America. I just think that America has outgrown that type of store. There are just way too many people now for a Mom and Pop store accommodate such a huge population. There are just so many more people now than there were even just 20 years ago and a little 2000 sq ft dime store just isn't going to cut it like it could even 20 years ago!

Susie, How great that your unemployed gap was small. And what a bonus that you all are happy with your employer and the proximity to home. I get together quarterly with colleagues from a previous employer (2200 laid off)--all complain that they dislike their new employers for a variety of reasons (in the dark ages technologically speaking, not employee friendly, lack of adequate training, etc.)

Perhaps you will be entertained when an Anti-Walmart Flash Mob Turns Up at your store demanding pensions and benefits for employees or else. If the do, set them straight.

Congratulations! Work is good, work with a chance of advancement is even better, and work you like is the best.

So happy for you Susie! A good job that you enjoy is something special. Living in a small southern town, I spend a lot of time (and money) at the Walmart:)

Tracey

It sounds as if you have been impressing the boss, way to go! (and I like shopping at Walmart, especially for toiletries and DH's work jeans)

I'd like to add my congratulations too. Having a job you look forward to going to is a huge thing. It adds immeasurably to your quality of life. Good for you!!

I for one am not a fan of the Unions! OK so they had their reasons for existing but I believe that now they are doing more harm than good!
I couldn't agree more. I don't want to get politicial, but I will say that in this day and age, I can't see anything constructive in viewing our employers as "the enemy".

I also agree that the WalMarts & Targets have not been singularly responsible for the death of Main St. America. In fact, suburbia has! Why travel into some central business district to go shopping when you live in the 'burbs and everything you need is right there?

Also, I don't see "Main St. America" as being synomous with "mom & pop" establishments. There are plenty of mom & pop businesses that I know of. The trick is to offer something that the bigger retailers can't or don't. IOW, find a niche and fill it. But isn't that, in fact, what running a business, any business, is about?

Susie, I'll add my congratulations to the list. Way to go. You're so fortunate to find a place you enjoy working at, and people that are good to work with. I don't shop at Walmart often, but when I do, I've found the employees to be very friendly. That's got to be why you fit right in.

Sally

I for one am not a fan of the Unions! OK so they had their reasons for existing but I believe that now they are doing more harm than good!
I couldn't agree more. I don't want to get political, but I will say that in this day and age, I can't see anything constructive in viewing our employers as "the enemy".

May, it isn't just the unions that are guilty. Companies are just as guilty of viewing their employees/union as the enemy.

Ann

ann T, I agree. Here we had a county administrator whose main focus was to "bust the union". Michigan is an "at-will" state, so people like me who do not have union protection can be fired for no cause. Although I cannot protect my own job, I made darned sure all my staff were union members.

susie, I'm glad you enjoy walMart. I don't go there. Ever. I guess there are Walmarts and there are WalMarts, but I have an Aunt who has worked at the one in Big Rapids for several years. She was told by other co-workers that only men would ever be promoted, and they treat her like carp. She has great employment reviews but will be working in the jewelry department until she dies/retires/quits. She has missed the past four family weddings because they wouldn't give her a Saturday off work, even with two months' advance notice.

So, be happy you have a supervisor you can get along with, it doesn't happen everywhere, or even very many places.

Annie

Susie, I am so happy that you sound happy. Good for you!!!

Ann,
I'm sure you're right! An adversarial relationship between employer and employees is never good. I am very lucky in that I've always been priveleged to work for companies who value their employees and do not foster or condone that kind of working relationship.

Annie,
I take it that what you are trying to protect your staff from is arbitrary firings based on something like personality for example? Or is it more like discrimination based on race or sex?

Like I said, I don't want to get political or into any kind of argument about unions, so I won't say more.

As for shopping at Walmart, we have a "neighborhood store" very close to my house -- it's what they call their grocery stores. I never shop there because their produce is abysmal. The other Walmart which is fairly close by, is a full size store. I seldom shop there though because it is in the wrong direction for me, and honestly, I don't think they have anything I really need that I'm not already buying elsewhere for a reasonable price. I'm not one who boycotts the store, though.

Congratulations Susie and to your family members. Sounds like it is turning into a promising career for you. Although I also don't shop at Walmart, it doesn't mean I can't be happy for you. NancyLouise

May, I guess since I work for a politician, it is political. When you work for an elected official, and there's an election every 2 years or 4 years or whatever, there's a chance you'll get a new boss with every election. Most of them have friends/family/etc. that they'd like to bring into their employment.

That's what's happening to me now. After 33 years, Chrystal retired and the Judge appointed a friend's kid to take her place. The new guy wants to bring in his own secretary to take my place. It wouldn't be politically astute to fire me, so he's been talking to me about retiring, with the end result being an open position for his old secretary. The longer I wait to retire, the more pressure I get and eventually it will be so difficult to stay that he'll either fire me or I'll retire. He has to run for election next year, so he really doesn't want to fire me, but he doesn't have to make it pleasant for me to stay. If he loses that election, the next guy could fire her, and all the lawyers on staff, if it suits him/her. And yes, it happens.

Can't fire for race, sex, weight, etc., that's discriminatory and illegal, but they can fire you just because and that's legal. Go figure.

Annie

Wow Annie. That stinks. Like I said, I've been very fortunate having worked for good employers in my career.

yes, you are. And that's why unions have their place. My support staff are union members and their contract says they can be fired for good cause (drinking on the job, conviction of a felony, physical violence in the workplace, not coming to work, stealing county property, etc). They cannot be fired, however, because someone wants to give his cousin a job.

Annie

I'm also glad that you found a job that you love and that is close to where you live. I don't shop at Walmart either, partly because I do not like big box stores, although I do shop at Home Depot. Another reason is that there is not a Walmart close to me, as the real estate in Western Los Angeles (where I live) is too expensive for Walmart. I never saw a Walmart in San Francisco either, and I think WM avoids the areas where I like to live and shop. I don't like shopping at Target either, but there are a couple of Targets close to me, and so I will go there on occasion. The Target stores smell like cheap plastic or formaldehyde and that is another reason I do not like to shop there. When I do shop, I like to go the trendy streets like Melrose in Hollywood, Third Street Promendate in Santa Monica, or Santa Monica Blvd in WeHo, but I tend to avoid Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills because that's still above my budget and the clerks there are irritating to deal with. I don't like closed shopping malls, but Century City is nice because it is open air.

Still, I am thrilled that you are happy, and I do not think you should feel any stigma attached to working at Walmart. In this economy, it is great to have a job where you can be happy.

Lars

I'm so glad you enjoy working at Walmart. I certainly like shopping at Walmart, and I was so happy when a Super Walmart opened near our home.

I'm a senior citizen, and I am delighted at how nicely the Walmart staff treats me. It makes shopping at Walmart a pleasure.

I think that how Walmart treats its customers is one of the reasons it is so successful. :)

I'm glad you found something that works great for you!

I shop at Wal Mart all the time and have few complaints about it. The store is clean, the people nice, the stock fresh, the Redbox and McDonald's convenient and the manager is my next door neighbor. If I have any real complaints I know where to go!
It helps that WM and 2 other grocery stores are all in a 1/3 mile radius in my little town and I can easily hit all three in a short time.

I think because I always shop early in the morning I avoid a lot of the irksome people associated with Wal Mart. At ten there are no families of twelve behind one shopping cart ambling along, or teenagers in packs, or(few) mothers with children. Mostly elderly people alone or with their spouse. And I usually enjoy going there.