When Walmart allegedly refused to reimburse a female fleet driver for ill-fitting uniform garments, she brought a civil lawsuit. Now, women are joining a class actions case that claims Walmart uniforms amount to “blatant sex discrimination.”
“Months before the lawsuit was filed, Ms. Webb was fitted for company-provided pants, which she now has,” Walmart spokesman Randy Hargrove reportedly stated. “We continue to review our clothing offerings for male and female drivers. We take these allegations seriously and will respond in court as appropriate.”
Diana Webb reportedly joined Walmart in July, 2020, as a delivery driver. The standard uniform required by the free world’s second-largest retailer provided her clothing that did not fit properly. Uncomfortable, but trying to meet the corporate expectation, she purchased items that closely resembled the mandatory clothing in her size. After requesting reimbursement, the big-box retailer declined, and a class-action lawsuit was filed in Alabama.
“This request was denied by her supervisors, and (Webb) was told that if she was reimbursed, Walmart would have to reimburse all female drivers and that they declined to do so,” the lawsuit reportedly states. “For female drivers, it is impossible to wear the men’s pants provided by Walmart specifically made to fit only male employees due to anatomical differences between the sexes. Female drivers are therefore required to either suffer discomfort or purchase and launder their own pants, out of their own pocket, with no option for reimbursement in order to fulfill Walmart’s employment requirements.”
Although many employers typically provide or reimburse for conforming clothing, federal law does not necessarily require it. For example, the Fair Labor Standards Act only calls for reimbursement if the expense would cause the worker to earn less than minimum wage. The general rules surrounding uniforms and costs do not necessarily fit neatly into the situation with Walmart’s women drivers. That may be why this class-action lawsuit focuses primarily on gender discrimination, insisting women are being handed clothing that conforms to men’s bodies.
“I believe Walmart is discriminating against women truck drivers and possibly other female employees who are required to wear uniforms,” Webb reportedly stated. “Walmart is providing and cleaning uniform bottoms for the men, while the women are expected to either wear men’s bottoms or purchase and clean women’s bottoms on their own.”
That statement puts the legal challenge in the domain of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. To its credit, Walmart far exceeds trucking industry demographics for women employees. Upwards of 54 percent of its 1.5 workers are female. The male-dominated trucking industry is estimated to have only about 10 percent female CDL holders. And estimates of 7-9 percent up from 4.6 percent in 2010.
“Walmart is committed to providing our private fleet drivers with various clothing options to meet our guidelines,” Hargrove reportedly said. “No associate, male or female, is required to wear company-provided pants.”
Sources: thetrucker.com, cbsnews.com
What a bunch of assholes. I’m a retired driver and use too haul into their distribution centers. I’m glad I finally retired
I think Walmart should really purchase clothes that fit women in that men they are very uncomfortable and they don’t fit a lady like they do a man anyways and they also discriminate about who can ride with them I think if you have been dating a man for seven years just because you don’t live together she should be able to go as long as she signs whatever paperwork needs to be signed saying that they will not sue anybody they really need to fix that situation also
That’s the problem. Walmart should pay this poor poor womens car house credit card food and medical bills so
She can fill entitled to work for such a good company bless her heart
Exactly. Maybe if the driver owned the truck and trailer and was responsible for all expenses. Walmart might agree to that Is this possible
I’ve seen the men wal mart drivers lots of fat ass lands, no wonder the pants don’t fit maybe they need to start a driver fitness program
Come on Wal-Mart, one size doesn’t fit all, geez get with the program,women don’t wear men’s clothing, unless u join army
“Upwards of 54 percent of its 1.5 workers are female.” I would think Wal-Mart had a lot more employees than that.
I thought Walmart’s standard uniform was blue jeans? Doesn’t blue jeans fit everyone? Regardless of gender?
I thought Walmart’s standard uniform was blue jeans and a collar shirt. Doesn’t blue jeans fit everyone regardless of gender?
This issue is NOT going to help Walmarts recruiting dept. This is not a way to fix such an easy problem. Just purchased woman and mens clothing. What’s so hard about that? Oh well???
That’s the problem. Walmart should pay this poor poor womens car house credit card food and medical bills so
She can fill entitled to work for such a good company bless her heart
Averrit has clothing for men and women. I’m sure the uniform provider can obtain what’s needed.
I see a lot of the drivers in a uniform shirt and jeans which is acceptable as long as they’re in good repair. Hell I wear the George line , stretch/ boot cut and they are the best jeans I’ve owned for driving.
$14.95 off their shelf.
Ahhh, boo hoo. How much do these women gross in a year at Walmart ?
Buy your own pants !! There’s people out here that make alot less money and have to buy all their clothes. Walmart will be looking for a way to get rid of these cry babies if they win or lose their lawsuit. These women may regret crying over something so little.