Walmart Attendance Policy (How It Can Help You Earn 24% Bonus)

Maintaining consistent attendance is a crucial aspect of being a responsible and reliable employee. Being a retail giant, Walmart attendance policy is strict and transparent. Although it provides multiple perks to its workers such as the discount card for Walmart associates and access to half of the pay before payday, if needed, Walmart places significant emphasis on its attendance policy to guarantee operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Let’s just say, the retailer does not take it well if you are a habitual absentee!

What Is The Attendance Policy For Walmart Employees?

Walmart’s attendance policy incorporates the Walmart point system. It is a process designed to decrease procrastination and unanticipated absences. This policy disciplines employees by deducting points when an employee is late or absent from their shift.

Once an employee exceeds the limit of occurrences, Walmart tends to take strict action. Accruing enough points can result in termination.

The point-based attendance policy was adopted in 2019. Let’s look at some of the latest point allocations to understand the attendance policy for Walmart:

• Absence counts for 1 occurrence
• Absent on a key event date (Walmart double point days) will be marked as 2 occurrences
• If an employee misses more than half of their shift, it is counted as 1 occurrence.
• 0.5 occurrence is counted if an employee clocks in/out 10 minutes early or more.  This applies if they have worked at least half the shift.
• Clocking in late (10 minutes or more) will result in 0.5 occurrences.  
• 2 occurrences are counted when the employee is a no-call or no-show during their shift.
• If an employee fails to report or call in an absence, 2 occurrences are marked.
• When an employee reaches five points in six months, there is serious disciplinary action taken. These actions can result in termination.

Walmart will only accept notes from a doctor when an employee is unavailable for four consecutive days. Even then an employee will have to go through Sedgwick. Walmart’s attendance policy is designed to ensure that employees are present and punctual, contributing to a smooth and uninterrupted flow of business operations. The policy outlines the rules and consequences related to attendance, including the accumulation of attendance occurrences.

How Many Occurrences Does Walmart Allow?

An “occurrence” cannot be used in replacement of absence. Rather, an occurrence is defined as the time when an employee is not available at their listed post. It can refer to being late, taking an unscheduled break, or coming to the shift early. On the contrary, an absence is marked when an employee doesn’t show up for their shift at all.

Typically, Walmart allows employees up to five occurrences within a rolling 6-month period. It is crucial to understand the policy can vary contingent on the store location and the position held by an employee. For instance, some of the Walmart stores have a flexible policy for employees who work on an hourly basis.

Even though Walmart is lenient with its attendance policy, employees must not exploit it. Having too many occurrences or being absent on numerous occasions can increase the risk of losing your job.

There are several reasons why an employee might need to leave their shift early or take a day off. Some reasons might include jury duty, illness, family emergencies, and bereavement. However, it is essential that you inform your supervisor beforehand so they can make the necessary arrangements and accommodate you.

How Many Occurrences Is a Call-In For Employees At Walmart? 

If you’re unable to make it to work, it’s imperative to call in and report your absence. Some absences, such as those due to illness or emergencies, can be excused with proper documentation. However, even if you call in for a valid reason, it still counts as an occurrence against your attendance.

An employee might need to call in due to several reasons, which will be marked as using their occurrences.

For example, if an employee calls in two days in a row, two out of five occurrences will be marked. At Walmart, all call-ins are not considered equal. The points are counted contingent upon the reason and how early an employee informs the supervisor about the absence. For example, a Walmart employee will use up to two occurrences if they call in the night before their shift.

An employee will only use one occurrence if they call out for one shift (when scheduled for multiple shifts in a row). On the contrary, if an employee is scheduled for multiple shifts on separate days; they will be using up two occurrences when they call out one of those shifts.

Walmart intends to be flexible with its employees and cater to individuals who call in. However, it is imperative to avoid misusing the call-in policy. Otherwise, you might lose your job.

What Will Happen If I Exceed The Limit Of Occurrences?

Walmart adheres to its attendance policy and takes strict action when someone exceeds the limit. Typically, employees are allowed five occurrences in a six-month period. Exceeding this limit can subject an employee to disciplinary action.

These actions include a verbal warning, a written warning, or a termination. Punishment is administered based on the severity, of the case and frequency of absences.

The consequences of exceeding the limit of occurrences may depend on the situation. For instance, if an employee has good attendance overall but is calling in for an emergency; Walmart may only give them a verbal warning. On the contrary, if an employee has a history of late and absenteeism; they might be terminated from their job.

In some cases, Walmart might not utilize the point system. They may discipline or fire an employee without accruing any points. It is particularly true in cases where the employee has a history of tardiness and has been absent in several instances. Walmart enforces this policy to maintain the optimal staffing levels required for effective store operations.

Steps to Check Number of Occurrences You Have Left

Communicate with your supervisor: If you’re unable to find the number of occurrences you are left with, contacting HR or communicating with your supervisor is a safe bet. They can assist you in retrieving your attendance information and clarifying any questions you might have. Moreover, they will be able to tell the number of points an employee has and whether they are in danger.

Company website: Walmart’s website has an extensive attendance section. Employees can check out the information provided on the website to stay up-to-date on their attendance. When you visit the website, click on the “Policies” section. This will give you all the necessary information.

Skim through employee handbook: A quick look at the employee handbook will give you ample information about the point system that Walmart adopts and its attendance policy.

Keep Track of Your Occurrences: Make it a habit to periodically check your attendance record to ensure you’re aware of your remaining occurrences. By staying informed, you can take proactive steps to manage your attendance and avoid unintentional policy violations.

Call customer service: Another option for checking your point report is by contacting the customer service representative at (800-492-5678). They might need your employee ID or will inform you about the policy.

Walmart profile: You can also log into your Walmart profile. Click GTA and this will show you the attendance and point total. It is best to check your six-month report to get a better idea.

Walmart Reward System for Good Attendance

Even though Walmart has a strict attendance policy, it does appreciate employees who have a good record. The retail giant has an attendance rewards program.

Depending on the location and specific store policies, employees with minimal occurrences might receive incentives such as gift cards, bonuses, or other perks as a way to encourage punctuality and dedication. The incentive can also come in the form of additional vacation days.

However, all the employees do not get good attendance rewards. There is an eligibility criteria that has to be followed. Employees who have no more than three occurrences in the last six months are eligible for the rewards program. Moreover, an employee must not have any unscheduled absences during these six months.

The recent change in the company’s policy is a massive improvement. Walmart believes that providing bonuses to boost attendance is a good step forward. In ideal situations, full and part-time hourly workers will also be eligible for these incentives. Generally, an employee with perfect attendance can qualify for a 25% bonus.

How Does Walmart Point System Work?

Along with its attendance policy, Walmart also has a point system in place that enables employees to track and manage their attendance. The point system is designed to monitor an employee’s tardiness and absences.

This system assigns points to various attendance-related occurrences. Every time an employee is late or absent, they will get a particular number of points that will be accumulated over time. Once an employee reaches a certain point threshold, disciplinary actions are triggered.

The number of points an employee receives is contingent upon the reason for their absence or unpunctuality. For instance, employees who are absent due to illness will receive three points. People who are late owing to traffic will get one point.

 The point system works in a pretty straightforward manner. After four points are accumulated for an employee, the supervisor or employer at Walmart will give them a verbal warning. When the employee reaches seven points, they will be given a written warning. A Walmart employee might receive a termination letter once they reach or cross nine points.

Naturally, employees are human beings and will require a day off or might be late due to a variety of reasons. To cater to this aspect, there are certain exceptions to this rule.

• Absences due to family emergencies do not result in the accumulation of points.
• Employees will only receive half a point if they are late owing to an unforeseen circumstance such as an accident.
• Moreover, if an employee has missed more than half of their shift, they will end up with one point.
• A failure to inform the supervisor adds another two points.

How Long Do Walmart Points Stay on Record?

Points on an employee’s attendance record resets after six months from the date of accrual. After this time has passed, the points will expire. Consequently, an employee’s record will be reset to zero.

Once the attendance record resets, employees get a clean slate and an opportunity to improve their attendance standing. Even though the attendance point’s record system is the same across the organization, policies might differ from one outlet to the other. To avoid confusion, it is imperative for an employee to familiarize themselves with the attendance policies and when these will reset.

While working at Walmart, remember that points keep accumulating continuously. For instance, if you get three points in a six-month rolling period; the points will be removed after two to three months. It is crucial to understand that approved absences are not recorded when calculating points.

In case you miss five or more shifts within a period of six months, you will not have to worry about losing your job. However, there are some restrictions. The missed shift must be accompanied by one of the following reasons, including pregnancy, FMLA leave, bereavement, or medical accommodation. 

Key Takeaways

• Understanding the policy’s nuances, such as occurrence limits, call-in procedures, and the point-based system, is essential for employees to maintain good standing.
• There are numerous ways to check how many occurrences are left. Staying on top of these reports ensures that an employee decreases their risk of termination.
• The company also incentivizes good attendance through rewards and acknowledges the need for special considerations in scenarios like pregnancy-related absences.