Grocery store chain charges employees $2 to wear shorts during heat wave: 'Where does the money go?'

Author image for JR Atkinson
JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Jun 26, 2024 3:00 PM EDT

Having to wear a work uniform can be incredibly annoying. It makes it harder to plan for your day (e.g. if you're going to go out after work, you have to bring a change of clothes and change there), it makes you feel like less of an individual, and sometimes, the uniform is hot, uncomfortable, and unpractical. And when the summer months roll around, the stakes get even higher. There's nothing worse than being trapped in itchy, constrictive clothes when it's hotter than blazes outside. Plus, it makes you irritable, which makes you worse at your job, and everybody ends up suffering. 

That's exactly what happened to the employees of a huge chain who found themselves in the middle of a heatwave. And instead of leading with kindness and support, their employer made them pay… literally. Read on for the details and be glad you don't work at this particular place. 

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  • 01
    LEADER Based on 2017nd image study of Un ges residents Thousands of ROLLBACKS across the store. RICE EADER Collback $448 398 Price 98 Price Price 8288 Paper & Cleaning Tr Low Pric
    via Hanson Lu
  • 02
    Having to pay to wear shorts at Walmart during a heat wave in Maine
    via u/LaurieIsNotHisSister
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    Bag your Chemicals Anyone Corn on cob PLU# 4078 can wear shorts until $2 a day Sunday if they pay to CMN!! Payments are made at Service Desk Last week providing cups for water. Bring a water bottle and take it home daily!
    via u/LaurieIsNotHisSister
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    We are experiencing some crazy heat in the 90's with high humidity. Today alone the heat index is forecasting 110°. $2 a day to wear shorts during a heat advisory is disgusting. This is the Walmart in Augusta, ME.
    via u/LaurieIsNotHisSister
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    Also, check out the bottom where they are no longer providing CUPS for water during the summer. I won't generalize Walmart as being out of touch but this particular location sure is.
    via u/LaurieIsNotHisSister
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    • bostonpoppy 5 days ago If the company policy says ok to shorts, I'm not paying anyone, I'll wear shorts. If it says pants then everyone wears pants... treat your slaves better.
    via u/bostonpoppy
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    languid-lemur. 5 days ago They are totally missing the boat on this one. They should also charge customers for wearing shorts.
    via u/LaurieIsNotHisSister
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    • Shartriloquist 5 days ago I'd get myself a pair of jorts, not pay, and insist they're their own separate category of clothing entirely if confronted. Where does the money go? Walmart? Charity on Walmart's behalf so employees can pay for a corporate tax break?
    via u/LaurieIsNotHisSister
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    Cerda Sunyer 5 days ago Can you wear a skirt free of charge?
    via u/LaurieIsNotHisSister
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    Faux-Foe 5 days ago Former Walmart slave here. Yes. You can wear a skirt/kilt for free.
    via u/LaurieIsNotHisSister
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    Vendevende 5 days ago • Other than notifying OSHA and alleging the employer is imposing potentially illegal fees for health and safety security, I'm not sure what recourse your friend has.
    via u/LaurieIsNotHisSister
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    Objective-Giraffe-27. 5 days ago I work at a warehouse and they have a giant cooler full of ice and bottled water as well as frozen treats in a freezer, free anytime you want. It's really not hard to provide the simplest accommodations for
    via u/LaurieIsNotHisSister
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    workers, and it's completely ridiculous that a multi billion dollar company has complete disregard or even basic respect for employees. Walmart I refuse to spend one dollar there and haven't for years.
    via u/LaurieIsNotHisSister
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    LaurieIsNotHisSister OP. 5 days ago You get free cold drinks and treats, and this location won't even supply cups.
    via u/LaurieIsNotHisSister
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    TBGusBus 5 days ago Yall worried about the shorts and payment and missing the "we are too cheap to offer disposable water cups" part
    via u/LaurieIsNotHisSister
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    castiboy 5 days ago I know disposable cups are a staple of corporate culture, but they're a terrible waste.
    via u/LaurieIsNotHisSister
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    An actually good solution would be to either have reusable cups or just give a company branded water bottle to each employee. They do it with uniforms, they could if they wanted to.
    via u/LaurieIsNotHisSister
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    Snarky_McSnarkleton 5 days ago Private employers just don't give a anymore. They let their cruelty hang out for all to see, and we're supposed to thank them for it.
    via u/LaurieIsNotHisSister
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    SoloMotorcycle Rider ⚫ 5 days ago I worked at the first supercenter in Scottsdale, AZ during that store's infancy. They tried some horse like this. I think I was the only one who told. the management to eat because I'm wearing shorts in the summer time. I DGAF. It's - hot! At least it's a dry heat. It's still hot as !
    via u/LaurieIsNotHisSister
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    Themodssmelloffarts. 5 days ago I'd wear the pants, faint from heat stroke, go to the ER, and milk some sweet sweet worker's comp.
    via u/LaurieIsNotHisSister
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    LaurieIsNotHisSister OP. 5 days ago All the employees should "pass out" at the same time. Complete work stoppage.
    via u/LaurieIsNotHisSister

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