Wal-Mart lays off 450 home office employees

The Wal-Mart home office Friday, Oct. 2. Wal-Mart announced it had laid off 450 home office employees.
The Wal-Mart home office Friday, Oct. 2. Wal-Mart announced it had laid off 450 home office employees.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. laid off 450 home office employees on Friday as part of a restructuring effort by the retailer.

CEO Doug McMillon informed employees of the layoffs in a morning email entitled “A company positioned for the future." McMillon wrote that, “as a leader, these are some of the toughest decisions to make. While difficult, I believe these changes will help us become a more nimble organization that serves customers better.”

Company executives have been evaluating the home office structure for several months. McMillon and others within the company spoke throughout the year of needing to bring more efficiency to the way Wal-Mart operates at its home office where it employs approximately 18,600.

“Please engage your leaders and have the courage to ask questions,” McMillon wrote to employees on Friday. “We must be transparent with each other so we can begin the process of moving forward.”

Potential layoffs at the home office were first reported by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in July.

The Associated Press reported that laid-off employees will get 60 days of pay with benefits, plus a severance package of two weeks' pay per year of service. The company will also help with job searches.

See Saturday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

SHARE THIS STORY

Upcoming Events