Does Wal-Mart Discriminate Against Women?

The Facts about Wal-mart's Treatment of Women
Seventy-two percent (72%) of Wal-Mart's sales workforce are women. Less than thirty-three percent (33%) of Wal-mart's managers are women.

Many female Wal-mart employees have stated that Wal-mart's stance regarding the lack of Wal-mart women managers is due to the "facts" that women cannot effectively manage men and that women who have children cannot be managers.

The Class Action Lawsuit Against Wal-mart: Dukes v. Wal-mart
In February of 2007, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the lower court's ruling to certify a class action lawsuit against Wal-mart called Dukes v. Wal-mart. The plaintiffs in the class action case against Wal-mart state that Wal-mart has discriminated against women.

Currently tied up in the lengthy appeals process because Wal-mart continues to appeal the various courts' rulings, the class action lawsuit against Wal-mart is ongoing. The number of plaintiffs in the class action is 1.6 million female Wal-mart employees, making it the largest civil rights certified class action suit ever.

Merchant of Shame
In response to the piles of evidence that Wal-mart treats its own female employees poorly, the National Organization of Women (NOW) has named Wal-mart a "merchant of shame."

What You Can Do
Send a message to Wal-mart that you will not tolerate their treatment of women. Stop shopping at Wal-mart entirely. If you feel you cannot stop shopping at Wal-mart entirely, reduce your shopping there and reduce the amount of money you give to Wal-mart.

Each dollar we spend is a powerful, economic vote for that company. The only way a company will voluntarily change its evil ways is in response to an economic hit. Become one of many ex-customers of Wal-mart who will effectuate this much needed change.

With mounting evidence that Wal-mart discriminates against its female employees, should you support Wal-mart by giving them your hard-earned dollars? Explore your values and conscience, and make your own decision.

But Wal-mart is so Cheap and I Cannot Afford to Shop Elsewhere
Good deals can be found at various stores. Perhaps there is a grocery store near your home that sells generic products. Save gas money by riding your bicycle or walking to the store rather than driving to the Wal-mart most likely located on the outskirts of town.

Consider whether you really need the particular item you are thinking about buying. Eliminating unnecessary purchases can free up money that can be better spent to support a local store that treats its employees fairly.

Ultimately, the question becomes, can we afford to shop at a company that in turn treats many of us so poorly?