A Walmart worker has revealed what it's really like working in one of America's largest retail chains - and has shared little-known secrets about the job. He explained how he has worked in "almost every available job there is" and alongside various managers who have their own ways of doing things.
The ex-employee said: "I've seen it all. Since I've finally quit that place and moved on, I'm willing to talk about it." He claims, on two occasions, a manager became romantically involved with an employee - creating hierarchy issues within the store. The man said: "Managers [would get] involved in a relationship with an associate directly under their responsibility.
"At Walmart they consider this 'unethical' and therefore not allowed to continue. It places huge favouritism with the person and that isn't fair.
"One was smart - he fired her and then married her and had a kid."
When it comes to customers, he said he "almost never" saw shoplifting, sharing how Walmart guards against it by having 'undercover' security working throughout their stores.
He added on Reddit: "I almost never see shoplifting - I'm just too busy to care about that stuff.
"We actually have people dressed in normal clothes patrolling the store and use their phones to talk to others patrolling and they are the ones the responsibility falls on.
"We aren't suppose to talk to them on the salesfloors, but a lot of them ended up being my friend so it was hard not to.
"If door greeters don't check the receipt on electronics or big items exiting, they can be disciplined for it."
He praised the store greeters saying they're usually "sweetheart, old timers with chill attitudes" - but pitted them when they come into contact with "entitled" customers.
Recalling his most memorable customer encounter, he said: "A woman wanted a print from the photo centre - I couldn't sell her due to copywrite policy.
"She begged and cried, then yelled, and finally started swearing like crazy. I had to call the manager. She swore she would never shop at Walmart again... I saw her the next day."
When asked how much product gets thrown away on a daily basis, he explained how Walmart is trying to make itself "greener" - but still throws out a lot of meat every day.
He said: "The worse is the meat - everyday literally trash cans of expired meat are thrown away. In deli, if it isn't bought within a certain time, trash.
"It's actually very sad how much food is thrown away on the grocery side.
"The stores are definitely trying to be greener - but being green also means more money for them at times. Recycling cardboard grants a lot of money."
But despite this, he praised Walmart for providing its workers with "job security, 401k plan, benefits and dental and stock options".
He added: "I actually found myself working with a lot of great people - everyone was friendly and down to earth."
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