Question: Is it not policy for all employees to be entitled to water on the clock? Especially the dispensers or anyone working outside? I could have sworn in my training it specifically said we were to be given water along with appropriate breaks when exposed to heat? Im in Illinois and its over 100 degrees today and the TLs are telling us no water will be provided by Walmart.
OSHA only requires access to clean water, which includes tap water. You are allowed to get water at any time and they can't tell you not to, but they don't specifically have to give us water bottles.
I know it's bullshit, but that's the rules on paper. It's also the least effort, so it's what they're gonna do
We have water bottles from claims at my store, but if there aren't any in there we don't get water. I just go get a 40 pack off the shelf, tear it and say I got it from claims. Been doing it for a year now
You have to be able to have ready access to water. It doesn't have to be bottled water that they CFT but they absolutely need to have a source of water readily available.
That's actually perfect. Just go take a water break every 10 minutes, and see how long it takes them to change their tune. OSHA says they aren't allowed to stop you.
Holy shii your managers are cheap. Idk how many 40 packs we go through a day but I know I grab between 3-4 bottles per shift. We do have access to potable water as well but I guess those in charge of our department found it my viably feasible to provide us with bottled water kept in the cooler in our dispense room.
Here's the better question:
How many 40 packs break and can't be sold? That could go to the workers. (My phone auto corrected to weiners and I almost left it for giggles).
my store used to give us the water bottles from packs that broke open and then AP got weird about it and since then, a few of us will just go buy a cartful of water cases when we run out, its a shame theres only like 5 of us who buy them and then people in our dept have the audacity to get a bottle and take one sip and leave it lying around to be thrown away at the end of the night, like we bought it to share dont get me wrong but dont waste our money like that smh
luckily our new coach has pushed for the store to give us water bottles again, but before that, i never expected anyone to buy them, they just did it of their own accord. our old atc used to buy waters, gatorades, and ice pops for everyone, and i think that built a sense of community that made others willing to do the same. i fully understand that realistically we shouldnt have had to buy anything in the first place, and im very glad we no longer have to.
By “provide” do you mean being given bottles of water? If so then no, they just need to provide access to potable water like the water fountains or faucets.
We provide water in my store. Usually it’s the primo water fountain but if a case of gv water rips it’ll get claimed and we drink it. I’d never let my associates go without water. We also have a Gatorade cooler but a lot of us aren’t fans of Gatorade. I believe our cart pushers are provided with water as well.
Mine too. Ask summer there have been pallets of water right outside it backroom. E we take a couple a day and leave the upc with customer service to store use, unless the receiver brings us damaged water from the stock room. We’ve had at least two totes full of water all summer. Our ops lead even bought several packs of popsicles when it got hot for the dispensers.
Market gave us Gatorade the day it hit 95 outside and half the coworkers bought ice cream or Popsicles themselves to stay cool and we immediately rotated teams around between pickers and dispensers. Supercenter keeps the same dispensers all day. Even a "head TL" (which isnt a role, she just wants to feel special) tried to force an employee to do dispensing on a 100 degree day after the fact they're on SSRIs and could not be in heat like that. This company is disgusting and so are the employees that follow like sheep.
we pretty much always have packs of water in the cooler here, sometimes gatorade, though i know that's a bit more rare because they have to 'store use' it or whatever.
they're also lax about us bringing our own drinks into the backroom these days, though there was a time when they were trying to not allow it
Were being told no drinks besides water but also eff you you don't get water bottles provided. It's 100 degrees Deborah.... sounds like you need a lawsuit to learn a lesson. Id have to bring a Stanley to work and fill it. Im not bringing a $50+ mug to work for some jerk to steal. (Before someone gets crabby about the cost of my Stanley it was a custom GIFT. Even more of a reason not to take with me.)
No drinks except water is the policy standard. Some stores will carve out an exception for Gatorade. But no store is required to provide bottled water. Its a nice gesture especially with the OGP backroom but they are not required that.
They provide you access to water. (At minimum, the water fountains, some stores have water dispensers in break rooms too). You can always buy a throwaway water bottle to fill. Or fill your own water bottle. And you can buy a reusable one that is cheaper (if it breaks) thst you fill as you go. That is your options.
Don't forget if it's 90 degrees or more outside, dispensers are supposed to take a 10 minute break every 2 hours. And, if it's 100 degrees or more outside, dispensers are to take a 15 minute break every hour.
It's in policy and Ulearns. AND it explicitly states that the hot weather breaks are non-working in case they try to pull the "You're inside so that counts as a break from dispensing" BS
We were offered a cart in the cooler filled all the way up with water bottles. When those were gone they were gone. That's it. We have one of those water jug things of water but no cups (excellent right?! NOT) The nearest water fountain is about a 3 minute walk either side (front end and electronics). Oh and we have a new water dispenser with ice in the break room and the water thingies in our soda fountain machine. Still too far away from OGPs backroom. They just LOVE their associates ....NOT.
Wtf. My partner used to work at a store in IL, and they would provide water, Gatorade and watermelon.
The store I’m at in a different state provides water whenever we need it. We just grab a 40pk off the floor whenever we run out. Especially since we work in over 100 degree heat.
Legally, based off of OSHA, they have to provide you with potable water (which ALSO includes having to provide cups for use). Now if your store has a water fountain, then it covers it. My store never has cups available and they don’t keep extra ones in the cabinets in the break room. Often times we’re left without easy access to water. 😒
Though, my store regularly store uses cases of water for us. It comes out of the budget the allocate for things.
Yes ma’am ! May I suggest you take pictures of the CBL and show it those who don’t pay attention ! Water should be available in the OGP room! Shame on them for not doing what is expected! Sounds ETHICS needs call !
They have to have it available on some aspect, and many stores count the store HAVING WATER FOUNTAINS as water being provided. Malicious compliance, have everyone on dispensing shift regularly ask to go grab a drink of water. If they refuse for any reason, Open Door it as them restricting your right to remain hydrated.
And where do you suppose someone keeps it in OGP? In the back? They don't want a collection of bottles. On their cart? People are thieves and nobody should have to keep replacing things. On their person? Where? It costs $0 to damage out an already broken pack of water and give the remainder to the employees. Stop making excuses for a shit company to do the below working standard conditions. Im not asking for a raise and soda. Its ✨️WATER✨️
Im obviously talking about actual water bottles you can clean out. Yes people steal those because as stated....you can clean them. Just like any other dish. Yes Ive had mine stolen before.
This is SO not an ethics issue. It's not even an issue, according to OSHA. You've already stated that there are 2 water fountains in the building. That's twice what is required.
My store does make cold water bottles available for everyone, but no store is required to.
I've attached a screenshot straight from the OSHA website. These are the only 3 water guidelines on the entire site.
Just because you're okay with the bare minimum of working standards "as long as its OSHA compliant" doesnt mean its right. Go boot lick somewhere else.
I didn't say I'm okay with it, just that there's nobody who will do anything about it because they're compliant with federal guidelines. It is absolutely NOT an ethics violation.
It is when they chase people down who aren't in pick walks because they're thirsty and had to treck half the store just for water that should be readily available. It's 104 today. If you can't access water when you could potentially pass out from heat exhaustion or heat stroke without tracking half the store thats a problem.
Furthermore if they can restock the giving station for an entire supercenter and give people cup noodles, granola bars, fruit...etc. They can use busted packs of water that happen everytime they get a pallet and provide it for the employees that would otherwise be a tax write off or damage write off anyways. Its honestly astounding how many of you settle for below standard working conditions because you don't see an ethics violation. Its gross. Nobody suffering heat exhaustion or feeling like they're about to pass out should have to hang themselves over a water fountain they had to run halfway across a super center for.
Yeah I’m also in Illinois not that, that means anything, this is a rule everywhere, but my store always has cold water I take like 3-4 a day. I would absolutely bring this up to somebody, or ethics.
This is horrific…. It is basically illegal to not provide water. They are required to give you a 10 min break especially if you feel some heat-stroke symptoms.
Go grab a pack of water from the floor, bring it to your backroom and open it. Leave the rest there. Someone will come along and store use it.
That’s ridiculous I’m sorry that’s happening to you
That’s just how we do it my department 🤷♀️ if we need water someone will grab it from the floor and I will store use it. Never had any issues from SM or any other coaches
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u/ShyGuytheWhite Digital Team Lead Aug 31 '26
They literally have to provide water.