Why is it so degrading for optometrists to work at Wal-mart?

[jlaha]

You were predicting he would hate working at walmart soon. That is a judgement, a rather negative and pessimistic one. It's almost like you are HOPING this will come to pass. When you accuse Walmart of being unethical, but don't provide specifics, I think it is reasonable to conclude you really cannot discuss the issue intelligently. All I have seen you do on this subject is point to articles you have read, agree with others in here who are anti-Walmart, and submit your philosophy minor as evidence that you know what you are talking about. I don't understand why you take the time to respond to me if you aren't going to attempt to provide any specific proof that walmart is evil. Nobody has to just take your word for it.

I've been following this post, and I don't really have a set opinion on whether or not Wal-Mart is good for optometrists, or America. Financially speaking, I do see it as a way to make good (or great? -- how much can one expect anyway) money as an optometrist if you enjoy working in a commercial environment. I suppose a lot of it has to do with the bottom line either way you cut it.

Whether or not Wal-Mart is good for America overall can be answered by PBS's Frontline.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/walmart/

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[Bob_Barker27]

I've been following this post, and I don't really have a set opinion on whether or not Wal-Mart is good for optometrists, or America. Financially speaking, I do see it as a way to make good (or great? -- how much can one expect anyway) money as an optometrist if you enjoy working in a commercial environment. I suppose a lot of it has to do with the bottom line either way you cut it.

Whether or not Wal-Mart is good for America overall can be answered by PBS's Frontline.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/walmart/

Bill Moyers who hosts Frontline is a notorious left winger, as is PBS in general. Socialists hate large corporations in general because they don't like capitalism, so it's hard to believe anything they say about Walmart.

 

[drjs]

This is not a direct response to the last thread just more of my thoughts. I have to admit that I do not know what is going to happen down the road with regard to working at Walmart. It has only been half a year and who is to say if the managers are going to slam me with much higher rent and required advertising at the end of my first year. However I provide the store with something they could not do without: an OD working there preety much full time willing to take a contract on a store that has not had contracted OD since it opened a few years ago. The manager was pretty much begging me to come on board instead of having an OD drive in once a week from an hour away. I hold the trump card. If they lose me, they will lose money. Am I worried that they are going to play hardball with me at some point? Somewhat, in fact I am almost positive they will, but I can and will remind them of the OD shortage in the area and my willingness to walk if need be. So to anyone worried about going on board with Walmart: you should ideally work in an area where they really need you otherwise I can safely say that corporate BS will ensue. If you think Walmart is bad, try working at the Pearle Vision and Lenscrafters I worked for part-time: in sharp contrast, their managers were downright vicious at times with regard to pushing sales. In the end, retail is retail; it usually comes down to numbers with all retail managers, but the minute anyone or anything begins to infringe upon your ability to practice independently, run for the door! Me included should that day come.

 

[Richard_Hom]

"... I hold the trump card. If they lose me, they will lose money. Am I worried that they are going to play hardball with me at some point? Somewhat, in fact I am almost positive they will, but I can and will remind them of the OD shortage in the area and my willingness to walk if need be. ...

Dear drjs,

I think that your situation is probably ideal and will remain so until conditions warrant. I also believe that your sense of security should be tempered. I'm presently in corporate business and there is no person in a company who is absolutely indispensible. So long you are providing a benefit, then you will enjoy your success. Suppose the following occurred: you decided that you needed to take some days off for one or more reasons. The store advised against it and you do so anyway. I think, then, that your "trump card" will just be filling out a 'pair of two's".

I am not arguing, therefore, the wisdom of practicing in such a location. What I do argue is your sense of security because you think that you're indispensible.

IMHO of course,
Richard

 

[drjs]

Of course I understand what you are saying. There is the possibility at any time that things will not work in my favor, but in my opinion, that is not very likely to happen as long as I treat management with the professionalism that they deserve and that I receive in turn. Is there a possibility that I will be fired if I blatantly disregard their warnings and decide to take a vacation against their wishes? Of course! However that would be highly unprofessional and something I am very unlikely to do. As I said several threads ago, nothing in life is black and white. I do have the upper hand in this situation and if they ever choose to act against their better business judgement and decide to play harball, I can walk. I have no false sense of security, just a good understanding of supply and demand and what they want the most: money. My prescriptions fuel their specs sales. I am young and all too willing to move (they already know this) and I will go where the opportunity is. Good luck to you in your professional endeavors! This will be my last thread for a while as I have about a billion referral letters to write! See you later.

 

[Tom_Stickel]

An update on Wal-Mart, worker's paradise. It has been said that Wal-Mart can't be doing much wrong in labor practices because doesn't settle cases and wins most of them. I'd pointed out a few examples of legal setbacks for Wal-Mart and their questionable treatment of employees.

An interesting new example is Wal-Mart agreeing to settle with the federal government for 100K-200K over violations of child labor laws. Ooops. I guess they'll have to be content with forcing their suppliers to buy from Chinese manufacturers who violate labor standards.

Tom Stickel

 

[Bob_Barker27]

An update on Wal-Mart, worker's paradise. It has been said that Wal-Mart can't be doing much wrong in labor practices because doesn't settle cases and wins most of them. I'd pointed out a few examples of legal setbacks for Wal-Mart and their questionable treatment of employees.

An interesting new example is Wal-Mart agreeing to settle with the federal government for 100K-200K over violations of child labor laws. Ooops. I guess they'll have to be content with forcing their suppliers to buy from Chinese manufacturers who violate labor standards.

Tom Stickel

Tom,
I assume you are talking about the following: "In January, Wal-Mart secretly settled federal charges that it violated child labor laws more than 20 times in three states, including allegedly allowing workers under age 18 operate dangerous machinery like cardboard balers and chain saws"

Personally, I don't see anything wrong with a 16 year old operating a chain saw unless the kid is legally ******ed. My dad taught me how to use a chain saw when I was 10. If a 16 year old is capable of driving a car, surely a 16 year old can operate a chain saw without cutting off various body parts. I don't know much about cardboard balers, but unless the teenage worker did a nosedive into the machine, I doubt it's that "dangerous". According to the story, this only occured in 3 states, so these appear to be isolated instances, and not conclusive that the corporate policy of Walmart is to violate child labor laws. I suspect Walmart employees are trained not to violate such laws. Poor oversight by the local management of a few walmart stores does not prove walmart as a company is evil. I want to take this opportunity to post some of the positive awards Walmart has received over the years, since all we get from most optometry students is negative attacks on Walmart. Enjoy.

2004

Fortune magazine placed Wal-Mart in the top spot on its "Most Admired Companies" list for the second year in a row. Wal-Mart was included in the annual Hispanic Corporate 100 by Hispanic Magazine.
In a poll sponsored by Careers & the Disabled magazine, Wal-Mart was recognized as one of the best companies in the nation for providing a positive working environment for people with disabilities. Wal-Mart was honored with the "Corporate Patriotism Award" which is sponsored by Employer Support for Guard and Reserve and presented to a company that exhibits exceptional dedication to raising awareness and support of U.S. service members and their families.
Wal-Mart was named one of the "Top Ten Companies for Asian Americans" by Asian Enterprise magazine, the largest Asian American business-focus publication in the country. The publication's "Celebrating Asian Entrepreneurs Awards Committee" selected the top ten to showcase corporations that have documented records of responsible and conscientious business practices.
DiversityBusiness.com named Wal-Mart on of the top corporations for multicultural business opportunities. Latin Trade Reader named Wal-Mart among Latin America’s 25 Most Respected Employers.
Vista Magazine included Wal-Mart among its Top Family Friendly Companies for Hispanics.
2003

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., has been recognized as the "Largest Corporate Cash Giver" by Forbes magazine. The magazine cited The Chronicle of Philanthropy's annual survey based on sales and cash donations for 2002.
Fortune magazine named Wal-Mart the 1st most admired company in America.
2002

Black Collegian Magazine named Wal-Mart one of the top diversity employers in 2002. The Hispanic National Bar Association names Wal-Mart the 2002 Corporate Partner Of The Year.
Wal-Mart was presented with the Ron Brown Award for Corporate Leadership, a presidential award that recognizes companies for outstanding achievement in employee and community relations.
FORTUNE magazine named Wal-Mart number one on the FORTUNE 500 list.
2001

FORTUNE magazine named Wal-Mart the 3rd most admired company in America.
Wal-Mart ranked by Training magazine as one of the 50 best U.S. companies for providing associate training.

 

[NEATOMD]

I'm not going to be an Optometrist, but I hope my opinion is welcome.

I think that the Walmart vision care centers cheapen the profession of Optometry. In a world where optometrists already take a great deal of flack from and spend countless amounts of time and energy "proving" they're place in medicine to other proffessionals such as Ophthalmologists, these clinics serve as a strong argument that Ophthalmologists use to claim that OD's are better suited for the same category as hair dressers and discount jewelry. I personally see OD's as an invaluable part of the primary health care of patients and do not like to see them treated as mere (eye) fashion retailers but rather as the medical professionals that they are.

 

[Tom_Stickel]

Interesting link from some congressional democrats...Wal-Mart wants special government privileges to cover up labor violations before the government takes action. I, for one, am shocked. It's almost as if Wal-Mart donated massively to Republicans in the last election...

http://edworkforce.house.gov/democrats/walmartmemo.html

Tom Stickel
Indiana U. 2001