Question

Describe an example of an incident when a company broke a federal, state, or local law. What were the consequences of breaking the law? What policies did the company change because of the incident?

Answer 1

For the purpose of this answer, I have chosen Walmart.

In 2013, Walmart violated a federal law, where they unlawfully threatened their workers, who were protesting against the unfair policies and wages provided by Walmart by threatening them, in the case they did not finish their strike and get back to work. This incident took place due to a speech was given to the media by a Walmart spokesperson where he criticized the workers’ actions by saying that workers should come to work and actually work, not protest. This was a federal labour law offence and a case was filed against Walmart for the same. Some of the other charges were essentially dismissed by the federal agency in charge of the case.

Walmart, however, had no change in their policies or their action, defending their position on the matter stating that their wages were just, the opportunities they provide to their workers were god and it was well within their rights to demand compliance from their workers, denying the fact that they had ever threatened the workers in the first place.