It looks like Wal-Mart has been dropping hints about who it's workers should vote for in the US presidential elections. Not in any direct way. Not in an obvious way. Just hinting about 'consequences'.
“Wal-Mart Stores Inc said on Friday it has warned U.S. store managers in recent weeks about the possible consequences of a labor-friendly bill backed by Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama that would make it easier for workers to form unions. But the retailer, which has kept its U.S. stores free of unions, stressed it was not telling employees how to vote.
The Wall Street Journal reported that about a dozen employees who attended meetings in seven states said executives had told them that unionization could force Wal-Mart to cut jobs as labor costs rise, and that employees would have to pay hefty union dues and get nothing in return.
The Journal said Wal-Mart human-resources managers who run the meetings do not specifically tell attendees how to vote in November's presidential election, but they make it clear that voting for Obama would be tantamount to inviting unions in.”
Let's be clear. Wal-Mart isn't telling their employees how to vote. It's merely pointing out things it doesn't like about one candidate in a two horse race.
I'm a firm believer in opinionated workplaces. We should be working for something we believe in. If you don't believe in something then go home. But the rules are different for a gorilla sized company which employs more than 1.4 million US voters.
And taking employees to one side and canvassing breaks all kind of unwritten workplace rules. What are Wal-mart doing to ensure that their employees can get a balanced view? What safeguards are in place to make sure pro-McCain employees aren't over stepping the line and pushing other issues?
Any workplace should be a place where healthy debate and discussion on a whole range of issue is welcome. But it's not for any employer to use company time to suggest or imply how workers should use their vote. Would it be happy if employees use company time to put forward the Obama side of the argument? I think not.
Wal-mart needs to make a decision on whether it's a retail store or a political party. Until it figures it out I'd suggest you vote by spending your dollar elsewhere.
Check out what Punk Rock HR Pro Laurie Ruettimann has to say on the subject.
