Remote workers at Walmart in the United States are not happy with the company’s new policy requiring them to return to the office. Some employees who have been asked to move to Arkansas are even thinking about quitting their jobs. In May, Walmart announced that remote workers would need to relocate to its headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, or other locations in New Jersey and California. A recent report by Bloomberg revealed that employees are not happy with this decision, with some even resigning during a company-wide Zoom call.
During the call, one employee called the return-to-office policy “a bunch of bullsh-t.” Others expressed concerns about living in Arkansas, finding childcare, handling increased workloads, and how the move would affect their partners’ careers. An employee told Bloomberg that they chose to resign instead of moving on short notice. Employees who cannot relocate will have to leave the company between August 2024 and January 2025.
Donna Morris, Walmart’s Chief People Officer, said that most employees have agreed to return to the office. Employees had until July 1st to inform Walmart of their decision to relocate, with the move expected to be completed by October 31st.
One employee in Walmart’s Marketplace division told Business Insider that they had accepted the relocation offer to move to Bentonville in the fall. The new 350-acre complex will have modern offices, dining options, childcare facilities, a hotel, biking trails, and lakes. The employee, who chose to remain anonymous, mentioned that Walmart offered relocation assistance ranging from $15,000 to $30,000, as well as additional funds to help with taxes. They also received a $10,000 credit for potential home-selling costs, although they plan to keep their home and rent it out. Despite the generous relocation package, the employee expressed frustration over the short timeframe for the move.
Many companies are implementing strategies to get employees back to the office, with some offering higher salaries to remote workers who return. Walmart is not the only company with strict return-to-office policies. Salesforce, Bank of America, and Dell have also mandated in-office work and issued warnings to employees who do not comply.
A survey by Bamboo HR found that some executives hope that enforcing return-to-office policies will lead to employees resigning, which they see as a way to reduce costs. Another survey revealed that many employees would be willing to return to the office if their commute expenses were covered. This highlights the financial burden of commuting and the appeal of remote work for saving money.
As the debate between remote work and office mandates continues, the future of work is evolving. Balancing employee satisfaction, company productivity, and economic factors will shape the workplace landscape moving forward.