Wal-mart in Mexico - Essay Example

Walmart in Mexico Inclusive workplace Introduction Walmart in Mexico aims at offering s with added value at lower prices in order to improve the customer shopping experience and enable customers to save. Mexico is a diverse society that comprises of Spanish immigrants and indigenous tribes and thus Walmart should embrace inclusion and diversity policies in its employment practices. According to Walmart website, the human resource management practices aim at promoting inclusion of the minorities through equal employment practices, through encouraging the employment of marginalized communities and proving a supportive work environment that encourages diversity. Level 1 Inclusion: barriers/practices The barriers to inclusive workplace in first level include discrimination, prejudice, and perception of threats to job security. One of the barriers to an inclusive workplace for Walmart in Mexico is possible discrimination that may occur on the basis of age, race, national origin, gender, disability and pregnancy. There are concerns on whether Walmart will foster the provision of equal opportunities to women and minority groups who mainly speak Spanish language. Discrimination leads to unfair terms and conditions of employment since training opportunities, promotions and compensation. Accordingly, discrimination will lead to unfair dismissals and retrenchment of workers at the company. Walmart workplace policies require some employees to work for longer hours thus creating perceptions of discrimination. Furthermore, the company is faced with instance of sexual harassment and unfair victimization and this may hinder inclusion and diversity. Walmart must address discrimination through providing equal employment opportunities in all matters of employment such as training, promotion and dismissals. The company should link the pay to performance evaluation and ensure the minority groups have access to training in order to improve their chances of career progression with the company. The company should provide the necessary facilities and equipment for the workers with disability and avoid stereotypes. The management should train all subordinates on the importance of avoiding sexual harassment or victimization that may hinder inclusive workplace. The human resource managers must encourage reporting of discriminatory complaints by the employees. Implementation of anti-discriminatory workplace policies will promote inclusion and diversity at the workplace. The individual employees will benefit from access to career advancement and promotion opportunities that will ultimately translate to increased income and benefits. The employees will be able to perceive equity and fair treatment and thus will increase their productivity since the compensation and benefits are linked to the outputs. The employees will have an opportunity to participate in the decision-making process and shares their ideas with the managerial staff. Accordingly, Walmart will benefit from cost savings due to low employee turnover, low absenteeism and low recruitment costs. The company will experience enhanced business growth and productivity due to satisfied employees and ability to retain qualified staff. Another benefit for implementation of the inclusion and diversity policy to curb discrimination is the positive corporate image that will accrue for reduction in law suits and better relations with customers. Level 2 Inclusion: corporate-community The second level of barriers to inclusive workplace includes economic pressures by the shareholders to demonstrate profitability, the limited company vision and lack of leadership to champion sustainable efforts. One of the prominent aspects of diversity at Level 2 that faces Walmart in Mexico is lack of leadership to champion and sustain efforts towards both economic and social sustainability of the operations. The company may lack experienced managers who are capable of formulating and articulating a shared business vision that will guide the subordinates towards attainment of the long-term business objectives. Accordingly, the leaders lack interpersonal, communication and conflict-resolution skills that are essential in fostering inclusion and diversity. The leaders are not committed to social sustainability of the company in Mexico since there are claims of employee mistreatment, contamination of the natural environment and inefficient use of the natural resources. The management inclusion and diversity policies must ensure that economic objectives are balanced with the social objectives in order to ensure both economic and social sustainability. The company should dedicate efforts towards conserving the environment, engaging in charitable activities and helping the less privileged members in the society. The management must train employees on communication, interpersonal and conflict handling skills in order to facilitate problem-solving and decision-making. The implementation of the above inclusion and diversity policies will benefit individuals since it will lead to enhanced job training, mentorship and improved participation of the employees in charitable activities in their rural communities. The company will benefit from positive reputation in the community, better access to markets and reduction in labor disputes. The positive corporate image will attract and retain qualified employees since the company will be able to demonstrate the strong connection between economic performance and social responsibility. Level 3 Inclusion: State/national collaborations The third level of inclusive workplace model occurs through national collaborations and some of the barriers include internally focused company vision, prejudice, stereotypes and discrimination of the disadvantaged groups. One of the barriers that hinder inclusive and diverse workplace for Walmart in Mexico is the stereotypes and prejudices against disadvantaged population groups. Indigenous groups are stereotyped as day laborers with low-wages while women are prejudiced as only good being housewives. The disadvantaged groups are misrepresented as corrupt, violent and unhygienic. The Hispanic Mexicans have been portrayed by the mass media as lazy economic contribution and cultural history is not well documented by the Western mass media. Walmart should implement inclusion and diversity policies that prohibit these unfavorable and biased opinions and encourage the employees to have an objective attitude towards the low-wage employees, casual laborers and women in the workplace. The diversity policies should ensure disadvantaged groups are respected and treated with dignity while women are accorded equal training and career progression opportunities. The company should go further to target the disadvantaged and marginalized groups in the recruitment and support the education of minority population groups in the country through offering scholarships to the needy children. The individuals will benefit from better employment benefits, job training and improved job prospects. Walmart in Mexico will gain expanded potential employee pool, increased customer relationships due to better treatment of the low-wage employees, enhanced employee loyalty and value-based corporate image that will appeal to investors and customers. Level 4 Inclusion: Inclusion through State/national collaborations The fourth level of barriers is the greed that entails unfair trade, exploitation and lack of respect for other cultures. A major barrier to inclusive workplace at this level is lack of respect for other nations and cultures since the company is headquartered in the United States. Walmart faces the risk of disrespecting the traditions, values, norms and religion of Mexican citizens in its operations or marketing strategies. Majority of Mexicans speak Spanish and the family forms the basis of social structure. Mexicans value etiquette and flexible deadlines. The company should appreciate the national sovereighty of Mexico and align the company structure, the business communication and relationships with the national culture. Walmart should demonstrate respect for the people, the national symbols, and religious groups in the society. The company must operate within the legal framework, trade policies and obey the employment laws in the country. The company must provide a safe and health working environment and all employees working in risky departments must wear a protective gear. The individuals will benefit from job opportunities for expatriates and local residents, and safe working conditions. The company will benefit from enhanced access to geographical markets within the country, improved industrial relations, positive corporate image, and better marketing activities to international customers. Conclusion Walmart in Mexico should deal with the barriers that hinder inclusive workplace through prohibiting discrimination, ensuring transformational and participative leadership, controlling stereotypes and prejudices on disadvantaged groups and finally respecting Mexico’s sovereignty and culture. The individuals will benefit from equal employment opportunities in recruitment, training and promotions, safe work environment, better incomes and higher job satisfaction. The company will benefit from higher growth and productivity, positive corporate image, better relationships with customers, accessed to expanded employee pool and possibility of expansion to other geographical markets. References: Griffin, Ricky. Management. NewYork: Cengage Learning. 2012. Hill, Charles and Jones, Gareth. Strategic Management Theory: An Integrated Approach. New York: Cengage Learning. 2009. Read More