Wal-Mart is a great place for one-stop shopping. The many sections allow you to purchase a wide variety of things in the same location, which ultimately saves money on gas. Unfortunately, Wal-Mart is not known for its exemplary treatment of its employees. In some ways, Wal-Mart blatantly goes against the themes of Catholic social teaching, but in others, the coporation indulges lessons of the church (probably without even realizng they're doing so).
1. Life and Dignity of the Human Person -- Wal-Mart does not always uphold the dignity of each individual. They tend to look at employees as a massive group, rather than unique individuals with personal needs.
2. Call to Family, Community, and Participation -- The store is actually very good at involving various members of the community. I have been at Wal-Marts that employ people with special needs as their greeters, and the large amount of job availability gives teenagers and other minorities a place to earn some cash. Since Wal-Mart sells a wide variety of products, the store appeals to all members of families with different interests.
3. Rights and Responsibilites -- Sadly, Wal-Mart does not always allow people their justified rights. I overheard a cashier talking to her co-worker about her request to come to work later on Sundays. She said her manager told her she would probably be fired for making that request. To me, this desire does not seem unreasonable in the slightest--everyone deserves a day on the weekend to sleep in and be with their family or friends.
4. Option for the Poor and the Vulnerable -- As I mentioned earlier, Wal-Mart is very efficient at employing different types of people (even people who may not be able to get a job at another mass retailer).
5. The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers -- This is probably the main issue people have with Wal-Mart--they just treat their workers unfairly. Although they may hire many people, they don't allow those same people flexibility or an input once they begin working. Many over-time hours go unnoticed, women and minorities are denied management positions, and requests for holidays/time off are constantly shot down.
6. Solidarity -- Wal-Mart is a coporation that has the power to bring people together. I believe the store can bring families together because it caters to all hobbies and interests. The management should work closer with the employers to ensure fair wages, and attmept to make Wal-Mart a more just place overall.
7. Care for God's Creation -- Wal-Mart can go either way with this principle. In a way, they care for God's creation by providing nourishment and other necessities for families. However, they also do not treat their employees in the most just manner.
Personally, I would not apply to work at a Wal-Mart, because I feel as if most large enterprises clump their workers together into one group, rather than consider indiviual needs (I also don't like the vests . . . blue just isn't my color).
I will probably think twice before I get wrapped into the "lowest price" claim that Wal-Mart is famous for. After watching the documentary, I felt so deceived! I automatically assumed that Wal-Mart had the lowest prices for most objects. I am also more aware of how the employees are treated, and I do feel somewhat reluctant to shop at Wal-Mart for most of my basic needs. Honestly, I will continue to shop at Wal-Mart because my family has been going there for so long, and has saved a lot of money by doing so. Hopefully in the future, Wal-Mart will embody justice and equality as well as good buys and a variety of products.
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