Walmart's Ice Cold Appreciation Has Left Employees and Netizens Baffled
In recent times, a wave of extremely cold weather has hit various parts of the country, causing temperatures to plunge below freezing. Authorities have been advising people to stay indoors for safety, but not all workplaces shut down due to the weather, meaning some folks had to face the biting cold to make it to work.
The story behind 55 Cent noodles
Enter a TikTok video by Millzy (@hiitsmillzy), shed light on a Walmart in Rockford, Illinois, where temperatures dipped as low as -6 degrees Fahrenheit. The video showed two employees standing behind several cases of ramen noodles, with the store expressing appreciation for their commitment despite the harsh weather.
However, Millzy raised an eyebrow at the appropriateness of a massive corporation like Walmart, ranking high on the Fortune 500 list and raking in a whopping $1.67 billion daily, offering 55-cent ramen as a gesture of gratitude to employees enduring extreme weather conditions.
Walmart employees share their experiences
The comments section of the TikTok video became a space for Walmart workers to share their own experiences. Some recounted receiving meager rewards for their hard work, such as paltry bonuses or even leftovers like cold pizza. A former Walmart employee mentioned having to work on Christmas and receiving a ten-cent temu pin as a 'bonus.' Another shared the struggle of working the night shift and being fortunate if they got a leftover pizza that had been sitting out all day.
One worker reminisced about their time working in the deli, where they were compelled to cook pizza for other departments, yet they didn't get to enjoy any of it. The overall sentiment from these employees was one of disappointment, with some expressing gratitude if they received anything at all from the workplace.
Employees braving freezing temperatures to get to work
Millzy pointed out the stark contrast between the challenging conditions these employees faced and Walmart's colossal daily revenue. A company of such magnitude offering what seemed like a token gesture, given their financial standing, raised eyebrows. Millzy further claimed that Walmart took down the post featuring the ramen noodles and employees after facing significant backlash.
Millzy also explained the situation saying employees braving freezing temperatures to get to work, some without cars, and yet showing up because they needed their paychecks. Millzy couldn't fathom the idea of going to work in a city where everything else was shut down due to extreme cold, only to find a modest gesture like ramen noodles waiting as a form of appreciation. The incongruity between the harsh reality these workers faced and the seemingly inadequate acknowledgment by the company was striking.
Walmart's employee appreciation gap
In essence, the TikTok video shed light on the disparity between the challenging circumstances faced by Walmart employees in extreme weather and the perceived lack of substantial appreciation from the corporation. The ensuing conversation in the comments section exposed a broader sentiment among workers who felt undervalued despite their dedication in adverse conditions. The removal of the post after substantial criticism further emphasized the disconnect between the company's actions and the expectations of its workforce.