Effective Compliance Programs
Our compliance programs are foundational elements of how we build trust in our business. They are risk-based programs that reflect the complexity of our global business and our dedication to doing business the right way. Walmart maintains compliance programs for a broad range of subjects. A few of the subject matters covered by the program include anti-corruption, antitrust, consumer protection, financial services, healthcare, food and product safety, environmental health and safety, and responsible sourcing. Several of these programs are described in more detail below.
Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination
Walmart is dedicated to a workplace that is free of harassment and discrimination. We do not tolerate any behavior that creates an intimidating, hostile, or otherwise offensive work environment based on an individual’s protected status. We also do not tolerate retaliation against anyone who raises a concern about harassment or discrimination. These expectations are set out in our Code of Conduct and in our Global Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Policy.
Walmart takes a global approach to discrimination and harassment prevention and process enhancements and requires all salaried members of management to report suspected violations of the Global Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Policy. Violations of our policy may lead to discipline up to and including termination of employment.
Walmart’s annual Code of Conduct training addresses discrimination and harassment prevention. Walmart assigns additional discrimination and harassment prevention and sexual harassment prevention training to U.S. based associates. Across our markets, additional trainings and awareness campaigns include tailored harassment and discrimination prevention training modules, messaging from leadership, and informational emails and posters.
Creating a Safe Place to Work and Shop
The health and safety of our associates and customers are not just business needs – they tie to our core values. As an ethical and responsible corporate citizen, Walmart is dedicated to preserving the health and safety of our associates and customers, including the goal of compliance with all environmental, health, and safety laws and regulations. Walmart’s Global Environmental, Health and Safety Policy (“EHS Policy”) establishes a standard that is intended to ensure we protect human health and the environment while creating a safe workplace. Violations of our EHS Policy may lead to disciplinary action up to and including termination. Additional detail on Walmart’s commitments and expectations for associates can be found in our Environmental, Health, and Safety Statement.
Walmart employs a team of safety professionals who are responsible for developing and implementing safety initiatives for the different operational formats within the company. They focus on training, promoting a culture of safety compliance, and monitoring safety compliance. We also contract with an independent third party to conduct risk-based assessments of our U.S. stores and clubs and to monitor the execution of specific elements of our EHS program. More than 31,500 visits were conducted in 2023.
Training is a key component of our program. In the U.S., new-to-role Walmart store and Sam’s Club associates are required to complete our safety foundations curriculum as well as tailored training that addresses the particular risks within their area. In FY2024, more than 96% of U.S. Walmart store and Sam’s Club associates timely completed their assigned safety training curricula.
Associates can also access microlearning courses on safety topics, which are available on-demand and provide in-the-moment information in an easily digestible format. Managers and hourly supervisors are required to complete specialized training designed to help them support associates within the facility and maintain a strong safety culture.
To help ensure a safe working environment for associates, we document and analyze associate incident and injury data. Our most common recordable incident types in the U.S. in FY2023 were4:
- Fall/Slip/Trip
- Material Handling
- Struck by Object
- Strain/Injury
- Cut/Puncture/Scrape
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Recordable Incident Rate (RIR) and Lost Time Incident Rate (LTIR) are calculations that describe the frequency of incidents per 100 full-time employees per year. The RIR is based on all incidents that resulted in medical treatment beyond first aid; the LTIR only includes incidents that resulted in at least one lost workday. Our significantly lower LTIR compared to RIR indicates that the majority of our recorded incidents were minor in nature.5
