Wal-Mart’s Women

Team Ajathshathru
 Case Introduction & Background
Introduction
• Sam Walton founded in 1962; NYSE
listing in 1972
• Biggest multinational retailer (2010)
owns 8400 stores and 2100000
employees with sales & net profit of
$408.2B & $14.3 B respectively.
• Corporate Culture: “Always low prices”
• Values:
• “Respect for individuals”
• “Service to our customers”
• “Strive for excellence”
Case Background
• Betty Dukes and 5 other employees
files a case accusing Walmart for
Gender Discrimination
• In June 2004 when Judge expanded a • Male orientated cultural traditions.
lawsuit filed to a class action, it will
cover 1.6 million women employees
since 1988.
• Largent case in American Civil rights
history
Accusations by Women employees
• Paid less despite higher performance &
seniority than males
• Promotions are few or wait long
• Hired a statistician Richard Drogin,
labor economist Marc Bendick and also
a sociologist William T Bielby to prove
the allegations against Wal-Mart
 Financial impact on Wal-Mart?
Women deserve to win? What is the possible
outcome?
• Negative brand image and product boycotts can cost Wal-Mart a lot.
• Payback of $1.6 million to female employees.