Walmart is cutting hundreds of corporate jobs and requiring most remote workers to transition back to office settings, according to sources familiar with the matter.
According to a report published by The Wall Street Journal, the retail giant is asking employees in smaller offices in Dallas, Atlanta, and Toronto to relocate to major hubs such as Bentonville, AR., Hoboken, N.J., and markets in Northern California.
The move also shows how Walmart, the largest employer in the United States with 1.6 million workers, is taking a stronger stance on remote work opportunities. While some remote work will still be permitted, it’s reported that employees will be expected to work from the office most of the time.
The news follows last year’s closure of three tech offices and the relocation of staff to central corporate hubs, according to a report published by CNBC. The company’s effort to reduce costs has also led to the closure of all 51 health clinics it opened over the past five years. These clinics were geared at expanding Walmart’s healthcare services, providing primary care and telehealth appointments.
As the largest employer in the U.S., Walmart’s work policies are influential. Its emphasis on increasing in-person work to maintain productivity and corporate culture, despite the current popularity of remote work is a predicament that could persuade how other large U.S. companies might approach job cuts or stricter RTO mandates this year.
