What A Surprise: Wal-Mart Board & "Gender Identity And Expression" Don't Mix
by: Autumn Sandeen
Fri May 23, 2008 at 16:00:00 PM EDT
http://pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=DB2B59D2D0D4C7421E40D87949B727FB?diaryId=5505 (http://pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=DB2B59D2D0D4C7421E40D87949B727FB?diaryId=5505)
Call me less than flabbergasted, but Wal-Mart is opposed to a shareholder proposition to add gender identity and expression to their non-discrimination policy. On page 54 of their 2008 Proxy Statement begins their response:
WAL-MART'S STATEMENT IN OPPOSITION TO
PROPOSAL NO. 4
WAL-MART'S Stockholder Proposal 4As one of the world's largest private employers, we place diversity at all levels, from our Board to our Associates, among our top priorities. Our dedication to a diverse workforce is well known, and we believe our actions demonstrate that we work hard to implement our Equality of Opportunity Policy. That policy states that "Wal-Mart will not tolerate discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, sex, age, sexual orientation, religion, disability, ethnicity, national origin, veteran status, martial status or any other legally-protected status." In view of the wide reach of this policy, we do not believe a change to our Equality of Opportunity Policy is needed to ensure that our Associates at all levels are treated fairly and with respect.