At a Walmart, an 80-year-old man was sweeping the parking lot, picking up stuff like partially smoked cigarettes. The lot was at least three acres. He had a broom and a dustpan—the process bordered on cruelty. Like others, his age, the man likely needs supplemental income. He also needs an industrial-strength vacuum cleaner. Walmart wonders why it has a poor reputation for taking care of workers—this man’s example is in plain sight. (These companies have the worst reputations.)
[in-text-ad]
Walmart pays its workers $14 an hour for those at the lowest level. This translates into $28,000 a year for full-time workers. Many of these people do not work full-time. The poverty level a family of four is $26,500. Walmart must know this fact, but it has decided to ignore it.
A look at Walmart’s financials shows how rich the company is, which means it can pay better than its minimum wage. In its most recently reported quarter, Walmart’s global revenue was $152 billion, with an operating income of over $6 billion. Its U.S. operations had revenue of $104 billion with an operating income of $5 billion.
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon made $24 million last year.
The Walton family, the children of founder Sam Walton, each has a net worth of about $57 billion. These include Alice, Rob and Jim. Each is in their 70s. None has done anything to have their money beyond luck. The odds that any of them has spent much time in a Walmart recently are very low.
Walmart’s founding family and McMillon have very little to say about the lowest-paid workers. Probably nothing. The situation is too terrible for them to address in public.
Get Ready To Retire (Sponsored)
Start by taking a quick retirement quiz from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes, or less.
Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.
Here’s how it works:
1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz
2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the advisors’ profiles.
3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future
Get started right here.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.