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Walmart's elimination of greeter jobs raises concerns among disabled Wisconsin workers

Post-Crescent - 3/7/2019

March 06--Whether it's sustaining her son's disability benefits or giving him the right to work, Lynn Palladino feels like she is always having to fight for him.

Her 37-year-old son, Adam, who suffers from the effects of a traumatic brain injury, was recently told he would lose his position of Walmart greeter come April 26. Adam has worked at a Walmart in Pewaukee for 14 years.

"I didn't think this would happen," Lynn Palladino told USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin. "I am prepared for the government to continuously take away the benefits that Adam's had and to be fighting for that all the time. I'm fighting for something constantly. And now it's this."

Walmart Corp. will eliminate the role of people-greeter and, in select stores, will replace the position with a customer host to assist shoppers in a more physically demanding way.

The company did not provide USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin with a list of stores that will replace greeters with a customer host, and which stores will just discontinue greeters.

The revamped job could include requirements of being able to lift up to 25 pounds, cleaning spills, stand for long periods of time and, occasionally, climbing ladders.

The company's decision to replace the greeter role with a customer host position is part of a program it started more than two years ago, according to Walmart officials. Stores will provide a 60-day transition period for employees considering other internal job opportunities they may want to explore.

The company plans to extend the two-month transition period for disabled workers who are currently employed as greeters.

Walmart said in a prepared statement to USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin it is normal protocol for them to adjust positions and roles from time to time to improve its customer experience.

"We've recently shared our plans to change the responsibilities of the people greeter role in some stores and that involves associates with disabilities in some cases," Justin Rushing, a company communications representative told USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin in a statement. "We recognize that our associates with physical disabilities face a unique situation."

The decision has prompted legal action over the effect it might have on disabled workers. U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claims have been filed in Michigan and Wisconsin, with a third claim pending in Texas, according to National Public Radio.

Palladino said her son Adam wasn't offered the option of being a customer host. He was told the only job opening would be in the automotive department.

"What (Adam) told me is that he was losing his job and that he had 60 days to find another one," she said. "He does stand. He can lift. He's helped people put things in their cart. He has done all that stuff, but no one's offered that (customer host position) up for him yet."

Palladino said she was informed by management that the store wouldn't replace the greeter position with a customer host. She said if her son isn't given any viable options, she will consider filing a disability claim.

"For a corporation, it all comes down to numbers," she said. "Maybe the numbers are making sense for Walmart, but it's about people, too. These folks here love their jobs. They need their job. It gives them a sense of purpose and responsibility."

Melissa Borgerding, a Walmart greeter in Menomonie who suffers from fetal alcohol syndrome, said the job search for disabled persons is grueling and she was happy Walmart gave her a chance to work.

"It is hard because once (employers) find out you have a disability, they frown upon it but with Walmart ... they don't frown upon that," she said.

But Borgerding is now facing a possible layoff after being told she has until April 26 to remain a greeter and try and find another position.

A customer host position wasn't offered to her, nor was a compensation or severance package.

"(It's) challenging because I like being a people-greeter," Borgerding said. "I'm still trying to work for Walmart as of right now, but maybe in the future try to find another job. I can't afford to lose another job right now."

Last December, a complaint to the EEOC was filed regarding Walmart's decision to remove job coaches as a means of reasonable accommodation for disabled employees. Job coaches act as a liaison between a disabled employee and their employer to help perform their tasks.

"The sad part is that Walmart is ubiquitous everywhere," said Monica Murphy, a managing attorney with Disability Rights Wisconsin. "There aren't a lot of jobs in rural areas and people have found work at their local Walmart, and now all of a sudden they are losing their jobs."

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