[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

People freaked out about Wal-Mart paying low wages, not offering benefits to workers (typically by keeping their hours low enough that they're not full-time associates), etc... like it was some outrageous thing.

Every major retailer that I know about/have worked for does the same thing. I've worked plenty of retail and know many others, what Wal-Mart does is exactly what everyone in retail does, at least in major chains. Does anyone think that Target pays well? Offers benefits to part-timers? Pretty much wherever you shop it's the same as far as that goes. Many, even if you're working full-time hours, keep you listed as a part-time associate. I don't know how long this would have to go on for the labor board to become interested in your case, but it happens plenty.

Hell even when I did management with VA's Liquor stores part-timers didn't have benefits options.

Exactly.

Plus, with the new Healthcare laws, MOST business of any level are being forced to cut people down to part-time so they're not penalized by the IRS. You can't blame Walmart or any business for trying to survive in the face of tyrannical regulations being forced upon them like this. It's either fire half the work force and let service suffer or do what you can to afford as many employees as possible. Healthcare is not a right. You can't expect it from a retail employer. If you want a job with benefits, get some more experience and education. Anyone can make it happen if they're motivated to. That's the problem though, why work hard when the Government will hand you what you need with no questions asked or sacrifice on your part?