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Working at Wal-Mart
Celeste M. Brotheridge
published: 2006 | Case Study | Human Resource Management
Subject Area: Organizational Behaviour; Human Resource Management
Key Issues: Job Attitudes (satisfaction, commitment, EVLN model, deviance); Leadership; Organizational Culture
Case Description: This case study focuses on the job
attitudes of a young part-time Wal-mart associate named Claude. Claude
is scheduled to work at the same time as his father's birthday party
but is certain that his manager will not give him the time off to
attend this important event. Claude's struggle with his options is set
in the context of challenging working conditions compounded by the
recent discovery of court cases launched against Wal-Mart by former
employees. The close monitoring of employees, the lack of accommodation
in shift scheduling, the arbitrariness of some decisions, the
incongruence between expressed and practiced values, and the frequent
departure of employees makes Claude feel disposable, fearful, and
tentative in his commitment to his job.
# Case Pages: 8
Case Number: 030093-W
Teaching Note: Yes
revised Aug 7/06
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