As a new Walmart employee, you may be unfamiliar with Walmart’s Paid Time Off (PTO) Policy. Unlike most retail stores, Walmart has a very generous PTO Policy for associates.
Whether you need time off for illness, medical visits, or just need a break, PTO is a way to make sure you are paid during times you need to be away from work. If you’d like to learn more about this policy, keep reading to see what I learned!
What Is the PTO Policy for Walmart?
Walmart’s Paid Time Off (PTO) Policy allows eligible employees to take time off work to deal with health issues, family emergencies or spend time with family. PTO can be taken beginning at 15-minute intervals, and there is no cap if associates have an available balance. However, PTO must be requested as soon as possible, or Walmart can deny it.
Before requesting PTO check out the helpful information that I discovered about the Walmart Paid Time Off policy, such as who is eligible to take PTO, how PTO is calculated, and more!
What Is the Difference Between Regular PTO and Protected PTO at Walmart?
Since Walmart wants associates to have a healthy work-life balance, they offer two types of Paid Time Off (PTO)- Regular PTO and Protected PTO.
Regular PTO allows associates to schedule time off in advance to spend with their families, take care of medical needs, and enjoy the holidays without worrying if they will be paid.
Similarly, Protected Time Off has you covered if you have a family or health emergency that pops up.
In an emergency, you may be worried about how it will impact your job, but Walmart’s Protected Time Off has given associates security in times when they need to suddenly take a few days off without the threat of job loss.
PTO policies protect the needs of both the employee and Walmart by giving associates a degree of flexibility in scheduling while maintaining a staffed position.
If employees want additional information about PTO and Protected Paid Time Off, they can find it here.
In situations where an associate or a family member they care for has a chronic illness or long-term medical condition, rather than use PTO hours, associates are encouraged to apply for an approved Leave of Absence (LOA).
Associates needing additional information on LOA policy can review the videos on MySedgwick or contact a People Person at 1-800-492-5678.
Who Is Eligible To Take Personal Leave at Walmart?
At Walmart, PTO is available to hourly full-time, part-time, and even seasonal Walmart Employees. However, the rate at which PTO is earned differs with each category.
However, while seasonal or temporary employees are eligible for PTO, they only earn regular PTO.
How Is Walmart PTO Calculated?
At Walmart, accrued PTO hours are based on whether an associate is hourly or salary, the position they hold, and the length of time they have been employed by the company.
For example, if an employee has worked at Walmart for three years, they may earn PTO at a rate of 1 hour for every 11.8 hours worked.
However, employees who have worked 20 years may earn PTO at a rate of 1 hour for every 6.8 hours worked, and a more detailed schedule can be found after logging into the Walmart Employee Portal or reading the Wire.
What Counts Toward Earning PTO Hours? Can I Earn PTO While On PTO?
It may be a surprise to find out that associates can continue to accrue PTO even while using their PTO time.
PTO is earned through hourly service hours for Walmart, which includes the following:
- Regular hours worked and overtime
- Disaster pay
- Bereavement (up to 3 days)
- Jury duty
- Enhanced military leave hours
- Reporting pay
- PTO (used to replace work hours)
- Sick and personal time used when PTO has been exhausted
If I Work On a Holiday, Can I Use My PTO On That Day?
Since Walmart locations are open on many holidays, associates may be scheduled to work. However, if the associate would like to spend the day with family, they may use available PTO hours.
However, you cannot use PTO hours and be paid to work in the store during a holiday.
What Is a PTO Plan Year?
Separate from a calendar year, the Walmart PTO plan year runs from February 1st to January 31st of the following year.
Do I Lose My Accrued PTO Hours at the End Of the Year?
At the end of the plan year, up to 80 hours of PTO for FT Associates and 48 hours for PT Associates will be carried over.
Any associate with more PTO hours than these amounts will have the balance “cashed out” and paid on their first paycheck in February.
However, since this money is taxable, cash-out payments will have the exact tax requirements as your regular hourly wages.
How Do I Request PTO at Walmart?
When you need to request a PTO, you must visit the Global Time & Attendance (GTAP) portal to submit a request for approval.
Employees must notify management as soon as they are aware that they will need to request time off to ensure that there will be the availability of replacement staff.
Since this process is automated, the GTAP system will decide the appropriate type of PTO for your situation.
For example, if you take sick time, then any available Protected PTO will be used first.
Also, due to the unpredictable nature of illnesses, any sick day you request, PTO will be treated as an excused absence, providing that you have enough Protected PTO available to cover the time off.
Any other reason an associate needs PTO, including the wait time for short-term disability to begin, will be treated as Regular PTO and an unprotected absence.
How Much Consecutive PTO Can Walmart Associates Use?
When requesting PTO, associates can start requests at 15-minute intervals.
Currently, there is no cap on how many consecutive days can be requested if the associate has enough available hours in their PTO balance.
What Happens If I Need More Time Off?
If you are a full-time Walmart associate, you are eligible to use short-term disability benefits to extend your paid time off if the absence is due to your serious medical condition.
You can also apply for an LOA in situations where short-term disability cannot be used, such as the illness of a family member.
Can Walmart Deny PTO?
At Walmart, associates must request PTO as soon as they know an absence is needed. If the associate does not have enough available PTO hours, then the request can be denied.
Also, management can deny a PTO request when there is not enough staff to cover your requested absence.
Keep in mind that any absence can still be counted as an occurrence according to Walmart’s attendance policy.
If you want to know more, you can also see our related posts on Walmart’s late policy, Walmart’s firing & termination policy, and how to call in sick at Walmart.
