Reading response - Essay Example

Reading response What are the central points of Olssons argument and how does she respond to counterarguments? Olsson expresses concern over the way Wal-Mart Corporation has managed to create a culture of mistreating employees. The conduct of maltreating workers in the retail stores is a cultural responsibility that every manager and other leaders have to promote to secure their jobs within the company. Olsson reveals that the multinational retail corporation has silent laws communicated to all branch managers across the world.

The silent laws majorly peg on targets that the company gives its branch managers. Usually, the management of the company in Arkansas calculates working hours of each branch based on targets. It is usually upon the branch managers and leadership to design time to ensure achievement of given targets. The strict targets compel managers to set employees on long working hours. Since the management does not provide money or measures for compensating the overtime workers, the extra service goes free.

To Wal-Mart, unpaid overtime is just good for the company does its employees favor, “Working unpaid overtime equaled saving your job.” Besides subjecting workers to unpaid overtime, the business also discriminates and abuses women. Despite women being the majority employees, few hold management positions. The company also limits the freedom of workers since it counters attempts for unionization rapidly. The management is usually ready to do anything possible to prevent unionization, “Wal-Mart hired a consulting firm named Alpha Associates to develop a union avoidance program.

”Olsson responds to counterarguments by presenting facts of surveys or history of Wal-Mart retail store. For instance, Olsson counters the company’s claims of training promoting women by referring to a 2001 survey conducted by Wal-Mart executive. The survey showed that female managers get lower pay than men in the same positions do. In terms of history, the management of Wal-Mart prefers delinking the different branches to crush relations. However, Olsson recommends that the workers can only succeed in their fight only if they mobilize all branches.

What are the central points of Mallabys argument and how does he respond to criticism?The central theme of Mallaby for writing the article is to fault any views that seem to place Wal-Mart in bad pictures. According to Mallebye, Wal-Mart provides health cover to its workers, and plots to contain costs of health care in the future. Mallabye is so defensive to the company to an extent of proposing that Wal-Mart attack billboards, newspapers, and any press that is tarnishing its name. Mallabye claims that Wal-Mart is the best company considering its struggle towards protecting shareholders by ensuring hire returns every year.

According to Mallaby, Wal-Mart participates in many consumer improvement programs such as the $200 billion allocated for assisting consumers. Mallabye also claims that the allegations that Wal-Mart Company suppresses pay to the associates are false. in response to criticisms, Mallebye attacks each claim straightway without giving room for justification. Regarding the issue of suppressed pay for Chinese workers, Mallebye comments that “But no study has shown whether Wal-Mart’s tactics actually do suppress wages in China or elsewhere, and suppression seems unlikely in poor countries.

” Regarding health insurance, Mallabye calls the critics enemies who infringe the growth of Wal-Mart. Mallabye points that having 5% of Wal-Mart’s employees on Medicaid program is not a matter to cause problems since the company is responsible for any other additional charges.What do you believe? Should Wal-Mart workers have the opportunity to unionize?It is important for competitive, noble, ethical, democratic employers to allow employees to form unions. Workers form unions exercise their rights of expression and association.

The unions usually help in bargaining for workers with employers and government agencies. Workers at Wal-Mart are in urgent need for unionization. The level of abuse that the employees have undergone in Wal-Mart is disheartening and can kill hopes of otherwise futuristic individuals. Through unionization, the workers will be able to influence power to challenge any opposition and resistance of the workers effectively. Works citedOlsson, Karen. Up Against Wal-Mart. 2003. .Mallaby, Sebastian. Progressive Wal-Mart. Really.2005. . Skeptics may object: Planting a Naysayer in your test.