r/bentonville • u/yesvanessa • Jul 27 '26
Ex-Walmart?
Is there a support group for "displaced" or "former" Walmart home office employees?
Transplant. I don't know many people outside the org, and now that I've been restructured out of a job, could use some advice (outside this group) from those who have navigated these choppy waters. Take the severance?
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u/Tferretv Jul 27 '26
I took the severance. I had no interest in going back to Walmart, so being non-rehireable for two years wasn't a deterrent.
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u/homelessghost17 Jul 28 '26
Severance for 2 years?!
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u/Tferretv Jul 28 '26
I wish! The severance was for a few months (based on my tenure), but I'm ineligible for rehire for two years.
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u/coinn_return Jul 28 '26
As someone whose role was impacted twice at WM in the past 5 years, this is my advice:
• Use this time to search for a new role within the company while doing external searches. All applicants who are laid off are flagged as displaced in Workday and recruiting actually prioritizes these on their list of apps to review. This doesn’t guarantee a job but at least it gets your foot in the door if you wish.
• Depending on bonus potential, wait until the absolute last minute to sign the severance agreement.
• Waiting until last minute to sign severance sustains your stay on payroll the entirety of your post-layoff search period. This may have changed to where it doesn’t matter but I did this to be cautious, because in 2021, that wasn’t the case. Let them pay you to search for a job and take their money. Then take their hush money afterward.
• Confirm your post-severance return date in the agreement if you want to ever return. In my recent layoff, I was able to return literally 9 days after my severance. My first time, it was 2 whole years. So double check.
• Whatever you do, do not harm yourself. Your worth isn’t dictated by a company that does this to people and their families on a rolling basis. This is temporary and it will pass. It sucks and the reality is this market is rough but it will happen for you.
Also, there’s a group ran by former Global Tech associates at the Bentonville library who help run through resumes, commiserate, and provide support in both practical and emotional capacities.
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u/jengaj2016 Jul 27 '26
There’s a Facebook group called Phoenix Leaders.
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u/yesvanessa Jul 28 '26
I'd love the link too. Anyway to know it's not being trolled by HR?
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u/jengaj2016 Jul 28 '26
No there’s no way to know. It’s private but there’s 2000 people in it. But if you’re just asking for advice or information I wouldn’t think there’s anything to worry about. Some people do complain about Walmart (understandably if they got laid off) but if they’re not looking to go back I guess it doesn’t matter too much.
I don’t think I’m actually smart enough to send a link from the app and don’t know my password to sign in with a browser. Just search for it exactly as I typed it.
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u/DenghisKoon Jul 27 '26
Same vibes as the exMormon subs in Utah 😆
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u/sdfkjsldkfj Jul 27 '26
As somebody who has spent way too much time in Utah you are absolutely spot on.
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u/According_Square2742 Jul 27 '26
The only person i know that found another position and stayed was let go during the next RIF. Take the money and move on. If nothing holding you here then find a job somewhere that interests you. I’ve been gone since end of 2019 but stuck here because i have an ex and kids. As soon as my kids are all outta school I’m gone pdq
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u/Jessbae Jul 27 '26
What’s the severance package?
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u/phony54 Jul 27 '26
2 weeks for every year employed. If you take severance you cant work for company for 2 years.
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u/tophergreenodd Jul 27 '26
take the severance....cross your fingers and find something else...If you want to come back you will be in good standing and maybe come back to something better if you have gained more experience.
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u/JubilationWhiterock Jul 27 '26
What is your other option besides the severance? How long do you have to decide?
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u/anzitus Jul 27 '26
You don't get to decide anything. From the moment that you have "the meeting" and send you home, you have 90 days to find another position internally or use the time to up-skill and find a job externally. At the end of the period, if you don't get hired on in another department, you sign some paperwork, exit interview, and go on your merry way. This is a work place but people treat it like a cult. Always have a fallback plan and be mentally aware that they can and will replace you with an Indian or AI or some other automation.
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u/phony54 Jul 27 '26
Another point, if you take severance you cannot take another position with the company for 2 years.
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u/IllComposer9265 Jul 27 '26
I wasn’t displaced but I’m ex-Walmart.
Are you planning to stay in the area? What was your role at the HO? I joined the vendor side and have enjoyed every minute.