Post by dtrfl on Feb 10, 2009 20:08:20 GMT -5
Wal-Mart to Cut 700-800 Home Office Positions
By Worth Sparkman
2/10/2009 1:37:01 PM
(UPDATED: See Wal-Mart CEO Mike Duke's full memo at the end of this story.)
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. of Bentonville on Tuesday confirmed reports that it was laying off workers at its northwest Arkansas headquarters in an effort to increase operational efficiencies and cut costs.
In a memo to home office employees, new Wal-Mart President and CEO Mike Duke said the retailer would cut between 700 and 800 positions at its home office operations. Duke said the cuts will affect merchandising, real estate, marketing and support divisions in Wal-Mart's U.S. division and merchandising and corporate functions in the Sam's Club division.
The restructuring will not affect individual operations at individual stores, Duke said.
"We do not make these decisions lightly, and every individual decision was carefully considered," Duke said. "We recognize this is a difficult development for the members of our Wal-Mart family who will be leaving the company."
In the memo, which was sent to media outlets after the first reports of layoffs, Duke said Wal-Mart will add new positions in divisions that are taking on greater importance.
"Some of these changes will involve reductions in Home Office positions while others will create additional management jobs elsewhere," Duke said. "And, as part of our overall store growth plan, we will continue to add thousands of jobs in our stores and clubs this year."
Wal-Mart has about 14,000 workers at its Bentonville headquarters. In all, the retailer employs about 2.2 million employees, with 46,800 in Arkansas.
Mike Duke's Memo to Home Office Workers
To: All Home Office associates
From: Mike Duke, president and CEO, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Date: February 10, 2009
RE: Organizational Changes
Dear Home Office associates:
As the new fiscal year begins, we find ourselves living in unprecedented times, and I am reminded every day of how our company is uniquely positioned to help Americans weather the economic storm. We know that millions of working men and women are relying on our low prices more than ever before, and we must continue to be an advocate for them.
Starting today, and over the next few weeks, you will be hearing from your leaders about some important changes designed to align our staffing and organizational structure to increase operational efficiencies, support our strategic growth plans and help reduce our overall costs. Some of these changes will involve reductions in Home Office positions while others will create additional management jobs elsewhere. And, as part of our overall store growth plan, we will continue to add thousands of jobs in our stores and clubs this year.
We expect the changes to impact approximately 700-800 Home Office positions including merchandising, real estate, marketing and support divisions in Walmart U.S., Sam's Club merchandising and some corporate functions. The restructuring will not impact store and club operations.
We do not make these decisions lightly, and every individual decision was carefully considered. We recognize this is a difficult development for the members of our Wal-Mart family who will be leaving the company. While the number of associates that will be impacted by the restructuring is very small compared to the 2.2 million associates we have worldwide, I can assure you that we will treat them with care and dignity and help support them during their transition, consistent with our basic beliefs and respect for the individual. If there is one constant in our organization, it is change. We are committed to our purpose of helping people save money so they can live better and we will continue to take appropriate steps to further align our support structure with our business plans. We must also challenge costs in every corner of the company in order to keep our business strong today and well into the future.
We care about our associates, especially during times like these. Thank you for everything you have done and will do to serve our customers and help make our company better.
Mike
By Worth Sparkman
2/10/2009 1:37:01 PM
(UPDATED: See Wal-Mart CEO Mike Duke's full memo at the end of this story.)
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. of Bentonville on Tuesday confirmed reports that it was laying off workers at its northwest Arkansas headquarters in an effort to increase operational efficiencies and cut costs.
In a memo to home office employees, new Wal-Mart President and CEO Mike Duke said the retailer would cut between 700 and 800 positions at its home office operations. Duke said the cuts will affect merchandising, real estate, marketing and support divisions in Wal-Mart's U.S. division and merchandising and corporate functions in the Sam's Club division.
The restructuring will not affect individual operations at individual stores, Duke said.
"We do not make these decisions lightly, and every individual decision was carefully considered," Duke said. "We recognize this is a difficult development for the members of our Wal-Mart family who will be leaving the company."
In the memo, which was sent to media outlets after the first reports of layoffs, Duke said Wal-Mart will add new positions in divisions that are taking on greater importance.
"Some of these changes will involve reductions in Home Office positions while others will create additional management jobs elsewhere," Duke said. "And, as part of our overall store growth plan, we will continue to add thousands of jobs in our stores and clubs this year."
Wal-Mart has about 14,000 workers at its Bentonville headquarters. In all, the retailer employs about 2.2 million employees, with 46,800 in Arkansas.
Mike Duke's Memo to Home Office Workers
To: All Home Office associates
From: Mike Duke, president and CEO, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Date: February 10, 2009
RE: Organizational Changes
Dear Home Office associates:
As the new fiscal year begins, we find ourselves living in unprecedented times, and I am reminded every day of how our company is uniquely positioned to help Americans weather the economic storm. We know that millions of working men and women are relying on our low prices more than ever before, and we must continue to be an advocate for them.
Starting today, and over the next few weeks, you will be hearing from your leaders about some important changes designed to align our staffing and organizational structure to increase operational efficiencies, support our strategic growth plans and help reduce our overall costs. Some of these changes will involve reductions in Home Office positions while others will create additional management jobs elsewhere. And, as part of our overall store growth plan, we will continue to add thousands of jobs in our stores and clubs this year.
We expect the changes to impact approximately 700-800 Home Office positions including merchandising, real estate, marketing and support divisions in Walmart U.S., Sam's Club merchandising and some corporate functions. The restructuring will not impact store and club operations.
We do not make these decisions lightly, and every individual decision was carefully considered. We recognize this is a difficult development for the members of our Wal-Mart family who will be leaving the company. While the number of associates that will be impacted by the restructuring is very small compared to the 2.2 million associates we have worldwide, I can assure you that we will treat them with care and dignity and help support them during their transition, consistent with our basic beliefs and respect for the individual. If there is one constant in our organization, it is change. We are committed to our purpose of helping people save money so they can live better and we will continue to take appropriate steps to further align our support structure with our business plans. We must also challenge costs in every corner of the company in order to keep our business strong today and well into the future.
We care about our associates, especially during times like these. Thank you for everything you have done and will do to serve our customers and help make our company better.
Mike
