Wal-Mart critics begin highlighting product safety issues

Brian White — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 19:00:00 EST

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) has plenty of opposition, from union groups to employees to media watchdogs. When issues of employee benefits, pay and overseas sourcing some into the media limelight, many Wal-Mart critics trumpet a multitude of opinions. But, you can only beat a dead hose so many thousands of times. Newsflash: Wal-Mart is not the only company that has these issues, but since it is the largest target, it takes the brunt of abuse.

Now that the holiday shopping season is in full swing, the efforts by some union-backed critics of the retailer have gone into red-hot mode. This time around, the focus is on something relatively new this year -- product safety.

This is something I dedicated an entire column to a few weeks back. Product safety has been in the spotlight this year as recalls involving toothpaste, toys, food items and more have been in the news.. Most of these recalls stem from poor product quality control and Chinese exporters who are apparently cutting safety corners.

Consumers, though, connect product quality to retailers -- not manufacturers. Are there still many dangerous products sitting on Wal-Mart shelves at this very instant? That's the fear campaign WakeUpWalMart.com is pushing this holiday season, and radio ads will be running this month with TV ads in December. Spokeswoman Sharon Weber rebutted by stating "Our commitment to low prices is never at the cost of safety. Product safety has always been and will continue to be a top priority."

Wal-Mart critics begin highlighting product safety issues originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 19 Nov 2007 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Heroic cashier fired after helping catch robber

Zac Bissonnette — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 11:40:00 EST

Filed under: Management, Law, Employees, Scandals

News of corporate stupidity rarely shocks me, but this insensitive, silly, and stupid case does: The Associated Press coverage of the incident involving Tesoro (NYSE: TSO) pretty much sums it up:

LODI, Calif. -- A gas station cashier who was held up on the job and helped track down the robber has been fired.

The company that owns the station said Cynthia Lopez lost her job because her cash drawer was $16 over its $50 limit.

If you've recovered from the panic attack you just suffered as a result of this shocking news, consider the explanation given by the company's spokesperson: "We do have policies on cash limits in registers to protect our employees' safety. We have a zero-tolerance policy."

So an employee's safety was jeopardized over $16? It's a good thing it wasn't $27 or it could have started World War 3. This woman, who was threatened by a masked robber at gunpoint, had the presence of mind to jot down the license plate number of the getaway car, and note the man's clothing.

If you're as disgusted by this case of corporate stupidity as I am, send an e-mail to the company, and let's try to help Cynthia Lopez get her job back.

Heroic cashier fired after helping catch robber originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 29 Jul 2007 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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