Walmart is one of the world’s largest retailers, with over 2 million employees worldwide. To support such a large and diverse workforce, Walmart has designed a paid time off program that is flexible and offers control to employees when taking time off from work. This program allows all colleagues to take paid time off for a variety of reasons, such as vacations, personal needs, and unforeseen circumstances. Knowing how the PTO works with Walmart is important to the associates as it helps them enjoy this popular benefit.
What is Paid Time Off?
Paid Time Off (PTO) is a perk that allows employees to take time off work while still earning their normal salary. This time can be utilized for a variety of causes, including vacation, personal affairs, and illness. PTO policies differ per workplace; some provide a fixed amount of days per year, while others offer a flexible bank of hours that employees can use as required. This strategy allows employees to plan their time off based on their unique requirements.
[Related: What is paid time off?]
Walmart PTO
At Walmart, associates have access to two types of Paid Time Off (PTO): Regular PTO and Protected PTO (PPTO). Understanding the distinctions between them is essential for effectively managing time away from work.
Regular PTO:
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Purpose: Intended for planned absences such as vacations, holidays, or personal time.
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Usage: Requires prior approval from management. Associates should request this time off in advance through the Global Time and Attendance (GTA) Portal.
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Attendance Impact: Using Regular PTO for unplanned absences may result in attendance occurrences, as it doesn’t protect attendance points.
Protected PTO (PPTO):
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Purpose: Designed for unplanned or unexpected absences, including personal illness, family emergencies, or other unforeseen events.
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Usage: This does not require prior approval. Associates can use PPTO to cover unplanned absences by submitting a request in the GTA Portal.
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Attendance Impact: Protects against attendance occurrences. When PPTO is used to cover an absence, it prevents the associate from receiving attendance points for that time away.
Key Differences:
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Planning: Regular PTO is for planned absences with prior approval, while PPTO is for unplanned absences without the need for prior approval.
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Attendance Protection: PPTO offers protection against attendance points for unplanned absences; Regular PTO does not.
Earning PTO:
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Hourly Associates: PTO accrual begins after 90 days of employment. The rate of accrual depends on factors such as employment status (full-time or part-time) and tenure with the company. Generally, the longer an associate has been with Walmart, the faster they accrue PTO.
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Salaried Associates: PTO is granted annually on February 1st, based on the associate’s position, schedule, and the anniversary they will celebrate during the plan year. This means associates may move to higher PTO amounts before their actual work anniversary.
Using PTO:
Associates can request PTO through the Global Time and Attendance (GTA) Portal. For planned absences, it’s advisable to request regular PTO in advance and obtain managerial approval. For unplanned absences, associates can use PPTO, which doesn’t require prior authorization and protects their attendance record.
Carryover and Cash-Out:
At the end of the PTO plan year (January 31st), unused PTO may either roll over into the next year or be cashed out, depending on the type of PTO and the associate’s balance. Unused PPTO typically rolls over without a maximum limit, while regular PTO may be cashed out if certain thresholds are met.
For detailed information, associates should refer to Walmart’s official PTO policies or consult with their manager or People Partner.
Frequently asked questions
Can Walmart deny your PTO?
Yes, Walmart can deny requests for Regular PTO if the absence will adversely impact business operations or if the request does not adhere to company rules and regulations. Associates should request time off in advance through the Global Time and Attendance (GTA) Portal and obtain managerial approval.
Protected PTO (PPTO) is intended for unscheduled or unexpected absences, such as personal illness or family circumstances. When associates utilize PPTO, their absences are normally authorized and do not result in attendance incidents, if the associate has enough PPTO balance to cover the time off.
It is critical for associates to understand the differences between Regular PTO and PPTO in order to successfully manage their time off and comply with Walmart attendance requirements.
Does Walmart cash out PTO when you quit?
When a Walmart associate leaves the company, the handling of their unused Paid Time Off (PTO) depends on their employment status and tenure:
Hourly Associates:
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Unused PTO: Generally, hourly associates are not eligible for a payout of unused PTO upon termination.
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Tenure of Less Than One Year: Salaried associates with less than one year of service typically do not receive a payout for unused PTO upon leaving the company.
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Salaried associates with at least one year of service are entitled to receive up to five days of accumulated and unused PTO upon termination.
It’s important to note that specific policies and rules may apply in certain states and cities, which could affect PTO payouts. Associates are encouraged to consult Walmart’s official PTO policies or speak with their manager or People Partner for detailed information relevant to their situation.
