180 likes | 718 Views
Wal-Mart and The Glass Ceiling Investigating and Proving Gender Discrimination. February 2004. Wal-Mart Basics. Founded by Sam Walton Headquarters in Bentonville, AR Largest Retailer in the World Largest Private Employer in U.S. $244.6 billion in sales; $6 billion profit in 2003.
E N D
Wal-Mart and The Glass CeilingInvestigating and Proving Gender Discrimination February 2004
Wal-Mart Basics • Founded by Sam Walton • Headquarters in Bentonville, AR • Largest Retailer in the World • Largest Private Employer in U.S. • $244.6 billion in sales; $6 billion profit in 2003
Historical Comparison of Women in Management at Wal-Mart and Competitors
The Promotion ProcessGetting Into Management Training • No Posting of Openings • No Application • No Set Selection Criteria • No Information on Management Jobs or Qualifications • “Tap on the Shoulder”
Were Women as a Group Less Qualified for Management ? • No education requirement • No prior experience required • Higher Average Performance Ratings
What the Women Told Us About Promotion. .. • No Information About How to Apply • Shifting Requirements and Excuses • Relocation Requirement – Real or A Pretext? • Sexist Attitudes
Gender-BasedPay Disparities Average Annual Earnings ** In 2001 *Full-time **Including bonuses Data: Richard Drogin
Wal-Mart’s Side of the Story • No Uniform National Practice • Women Not Interested in Management Positions • Long and Unpredictable Hours • Pay Differences are Very Small • Have Made Efforts to Improve Diversity • Women Are Happy at Wal-Mart • Case is Just Too Big
Every Store Looks and Operates Identically Same Jobs and Job Hierarchy Wal-Mart Cheer at Daily Store Meetings Wal-Mart Culture – 3 Basic Beliefs All personnel policies from Bentonville 24/7 Real Time Electronic Connection Weekly and Daily Reports and Store Visits Heat and Music Uniformity and Central Control
Was The Alleged Discrimination Intentional? • Internal Studies of Pay and Promotion Rates by Gender • Diversity Consultant • Benchmarking Against Competitors • Warnings from the Executive Vice President of Human Resources • Knew that Relocation Requirement Had An Adverse Impact on Women
Coleman Peterson, Exec. VP for People Division and Member of Board of Directors
Stay Tuned • Dukes v. Wal-Mart Stores, Northern District of California • Class Certification Motion Pending • www.walmartclass.com