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An audit by Wal-Mart of 128 stores and over 25,000 employees has reportedly revealed thousands of labor violations at the Arkansas-based retailing chain, including 1371 violations of child labor laws, 60,000 missed breaks and16,000 skipped meal times, primarily in violation of state labor laws. The July, 2000 internal audit was apparently distributed to high-level company executives but has now come to public attention through lawsuits filed against the company, which employs more than 1.2 million U.S. workers.

Wal-Mart has disputed the validity of the study, noting, for instance, that the audit does not reflect whether employees may have worked through lunch in order to be able to leave early. Wal-Mart said in a statement, “We have been aggressive in implementing new processes to ensure that associates are paid for every minute they work, and receive breaks and meals as scheduled. We also have procedures to ensure that employment and work schedules of minors at Wal-Mart are in strict compliance with the law.'

Wage and hour class actions are currently pending against Wal-Mart in a number of states; a situation that will be updated in future issues of The Employment Law Strategist.

An audit by Wal-Mart of 128 stores and over 25,000 employees has reportedly revealed thousands of labor violations at the Arkansas-based retailing chain, including 1371 violations of child labor laws, 60,000 missed breaks and16,000 skipped meal times, primarily in violation of state labor laws. The July, 2000 internal audit was apparently distributed to high-level company executives but has now come to public attention through lawsuits filed against the company, which employs more than 1.2 million U.S. workers.

Wal-Mart has disputed the validity of the study, noting, for instance, that the audit does not reflect whether employees may have worked through lunch in order to be able to leave early. Wal-Mart said in a statement, “We have been aggressive in implementing new processes to ensure that associates are paid for every minute they work, and receive breaks and meals as scheduled. We also have procedures to ensure that employment and work schedules of minors at Wal-Mart are in strict compliance with the law.'

Wage and hour class actions are currently pending against Wal-Mart in a number of states; a situation that will be updated in future issues of The Employment Law Strategist.