What associates should know about Walmart occurrence and attendance policy

The attendance policy uses a 5-point system, with points docked for tardiness or missing shifts, and reaching 5 points within a rolling 6-month period can lead to disciplinary action, according to materials summarizing Walmart’s occurrence system. The same guidance says the point system resets every six months, giving associates a periodic clean slate for their attendance balances.

The policy counts lateness, no-call/no-shows, and early departures as occurrences. As the Original Report summary puts it, the guide "describes how occurrence points are typically accrued for lateness, no‑call/no‑shows, or early departures." A third-party explainer states that "each absence may count as an 'occurrence,' which could lead to disciplinary action if it exceeds a certain threshold."

The system is presented as applying beyond hourly staff. Uploads-ssl Webflow notes the system "applies to management staff" as well as hourly associates, while Walmart internal COVID guidance provides tailored steps for hourly associates and OTR drivers. The internal Q&A instructs: "Hourly associates and OTR drivers: • Report your absence each day as you normally would. • Contact Sedgwick if: – You’re going to be out for more than three days; – You’re choosing to self-quarantine, isolate, or care for a family member [...]" The same internal material also notes that "Salaried associates and OTR drivers may be eligible for family care pay and a leave of absence."

There are explicit exemptions for protected leaves. Uploads-ssl Webflow states "Certain types of absences, such as those related to family or medical leave, military caregiver leaves, or serious health issues, are exempt from [...] disciplinary action and do not incur any penalties," and it adds that "Walmart must comply with federal laws that protect employees from unfair discrimination." The site also references paid time off and protected PTO policies and warns that carryover and cash-out rules may differ for salaried and hourly associates.

COVID-era guidance in an internal document labeled "COVID FAQs | 02.24.2021 Confidential – Internal Use Only | ©2021 Walmart Inc" says "The attendance occurrence policy will be waived for associates who are placed on an approved COVID-19 leave for absences due to COVID-19–related concerns, symptoms, or illnesses." That same document instructs associates that "All associates are required to call into their facility and report their absence as they normally would until their leave of absence is approved."

The COVID FAQ fragments include differing Sedgwick contact thresholds. One passage reads "Contact Sedgwick if: – You’re going to be out for more than two weeks for a self or mandatory quarantine; or – You’ve been diagnosed with COVID-19." Elsewhere the document repeats "Contact Sedgwick if: – You’re going to be out for more than three days..." and "Associates should contact Sedgwick if they’ll be out for more than three days." The document also uses Level labels for quarantine designations, including "Level 1 self-quarantine" and an incomplete fragment, "Any associate who fails the Walmart Health Screening and is required to quarantine for more than three days can report their absence to Sedgwick for a Level 2 paid" that requires clarification.

Practical steps flagged across the sources are concrete. Uploads-ssl Webflow lists ways to check points: "ask their manager, check their paycheck stub, log in to the GTA Portal, or review their attendance record online." Outside commentary urges proactive communication: "This system encourages workers to communicate proactively about any potential issues affecting their ability to report for duty" and advises that "For now, it's crucial for smart employees to track their points and show up on time."

The documents reviewed contain truncated language and internal-date markers that warrant confirmation. The Me Walmart COVID FAQs show both the three-day and two-week Sedgwick triggers and are dated 02.24.2021; the Webflow text truncates the outcome of "Reaching 5 points within a rolling 6-month period." Associates should confirm current thresholds, the exact disciplinary steps after 5 points, Sedgwick contact rules, and the full definitions of Level 1 and Level 2 leave with Walmart HR or Sedgwick.