Congratulations on your new position at Walmart! As the largest private employer in the world with over 2.3 million associates, Walmart is a place where you can build a lifelong career in retail or beyond. But before you officially join the Walmart family, you‘ll need to prove yourself during the company‘s 90-day probationary period.
For many new hires, the word "probation" sparks some nerves. But there‘s no need to worry – this is simply standard practice for most major retailers. Walmart‘s 90 day probation period is a way for both you and the company to assess if the job is a good long-term fit.
"At Walmart, our people are our greatest asset," says Drew Holler, Senior Vice President of Associate Experience. "The 90-day probation period is an opportunity for us to invest in onboarding and training to set up new associates for long-term success with the company."
With the right approach and work ethic, you can make a great impression during your first 90 days and set the stage for an exciting future at Walmart. Here‘s a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know.
Walmart‘s Workforce By The Numbers
To put the 90-day probation period in context, let‘s take a look at some key statistics about Walmart‘s workforce:
- Walmart employs over 1.6 million associates in the U.S. alone, with thousands of new hires starting every week
- The average wage for a full-time associate is $14.76 per hour, with many roles offering competitive benefits packages
- Approximately 75% of Walmart store management teams started in hourly roles
- Walmart promotes over 200,000 associates per year in the U.S.
- Over 300,000 associates have worked at Walmart for 10+ years
Clearly, Walmart offers robust opportunities for employment and career growth. However, retail roles also tend to have high turnover rates industry-wide. The average turnover rate in retail is around 60% according to the National Retail Federation. For large retailers like Walmart, that means hundreds of thousands of associates cycling in and out each year.
The 90 day probation period helps Walmart identify which new hires have the best potential to thrive long-term with the company. Those who do pass probation join a global team that enjoys competitive pay, benefits, and unmatched opportunities for advancement.
The Purpose of Probation
The core purpose of Walmart‘s probationary period is to evaluate three key things:
- Your attendance and punctuality
- Your ability to learn and perform the duties of your role
- Your fit with Walmart‘s culture and core values
Through the lens of a picky shopper, Walmart‘s standards for its associates are extremely high. As the face of the brand, associates are expected to deliver fast, friendly service and create a positive shopping experience at every touchpoint. Walmart looks for associates who show up consistently, work hard, and represent the company‘s values of respect, service, and excellence.
On the other side of the coin, your first 90 days are also a chance for you to get a real taste of what it‘s like to work at Walmart. You can see how well the reality meets your expectations, determine if you enjoy the work environment and culture, and identify potential long-term career prospects. It‘s just as important for you to evaluate Walmart as it is for Walmart to evaluate you.
"Our goal is for every new associate to end their 90 day probation period feeling excited and equipped to build a future with the company," says Holler. "For associates who ultimately decide Walmart isn‘t the place for them long-term, the probationary period allows them to make that decision quickly without a major time commitment on either end."
What To Expect In Your First 90 Days
So what exactly will you experience during your probationary period? Here‘s a general overview, though your precise journey will depend on your role and location:
Orientation and Onboarding
All new Walmart associates start with a multi-day orientation and onboarding program called Pathways. This is when you‘ll learn Walmart‘s history, culture, and core values, plus complete necessary new hire paperwork.
"Pathways prepares associates to succeed through basic retail skills training, an introduction to Walmart culture, and on-the-job learning alongside peers," says Holler. "We‘ve invested significantly in our onboarding experience to immerse new hires in our culture and equip them with the tools they need from day one."
On-The-Job Training
After general orientation, you‘ll begin targeted training within your specific role, department, and store. This may include:
- Computer-based learning modules
- Instructional videos
- Job shadowing with experienced associates
- Hands-on practice
Especially in your early days, remember that no question is too small. If you‘re ever unsure about a task or process, always ask. Your supervisors would much rather you get clarification upfront than make preventable mistakes.
According to Michelle Malashock, Walmart‘s Director of Corporate Communications, "One of our core values is striving for excellence, and that starts with a willingness to learn. We encourage new associates to be curious, ask questions, and actively look for ways to grow their knowledge and skills."
Ongoing Feedback and Coaching
Throughout your probation period, expect to meet frequently with your direct supervisor for check-ins. These brief conversations are a chance to get feedback on how you‘re doing, troubleshoot any challenges, and refine your goals.
Around your 30-day and 60-day marks, you‘ll have more formal evaluations with your supervisor to assess your progress and identify any areas for added training or support. Then your final evaluation at 90 days will determine if you‘ve passed probation.
"Frequent feedback sets up new associates for success by ensuring they understand expectations and feel supported in meeting them," says Malashock. "There should be no surprises at the 90 day mark – associates should have a clear sense of where they stand well before then."
Close Performance Management
From an HR perspective, your probationary period is when Walmart pays the closest attention to whether or not you‘re meeting the basic requirements of your role. Expect your supervisors to be very in-tune with your:
- Attendance and tardiness rates
- Ability to follow directions and complete tasks properly
- Speed and efficiency
- Customer service skills
- Teamwork and collaboration with coworkers
- Overall attitude and demeanor
Realistically, everyone occasionally runs late or makes a mistake, especially when learning a new job. An isolated incident likely won‘t make or break you. But demonstrating consistent patterns of absenteeism, poor performance, or unprofessional conduct will raise red flags that could lead to corrective action or even termination before your 90 days are up.
Tips to Ace Your Probation Period
With so much to learn in a short period, your first 90 days at Walmart may feel overwhelming at times. But with a proactive approach, you can set yourself up for success:
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Prioritize attendance. It‘s the most straightforward way to demonstrate your commitment. Be on time and avoid missing shifts whenever possible. If you must be absent, notify your supervisor as early as you can.
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Ask questions. Walmart has an incredibly supportive culture for continuous learning. If you‘re ever unsure about anything, don‘t hesitate to ask a supervisor or experienced coworker for guidance. It‘s always better to double check than to guess incorrectly.
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Focus on customers. Everything at Walmart comes back to delivering a great shopping experience. Whether or not you directly interact with customers, look for ways to positively impact their experience however you can, even if indirectly.
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Be a team player. Walmart associates succeed through collaboration, not competition. Look for opportunities to help your coworkers, lend a hand in other departments when you can, and approach every shift with a positive, can-do attitude.
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Take initiative. Once you‘ve mastered the basics of your role, look for opportunities to go above and beyond. Are there process improvements you could suggest? Could you help train a newer coworker? Do you see a safety hazard you could resolve? Demonstrating proactivity shows you‘re invested in the store‘s success.
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Pursue growth. As you get acclimated, start thinking about your future at Walmart. Read up on different career paths and talk to your supervisor about your interests. Taking ownership of your development from the beginning will help you make the most of Walmart‘s many advancement opportunities.
Above all, be patient with yourself. It‘s okay not to know everything right away. If you put in an honest effort and lean into Walmart‘s training and support, you‘ll be well on your way to passing probation.
Life After Probation
Once you pass your 90 day probation, you can officially call yourself a "Walmart associate" – but what does that mean tangibly? A few key things happen:
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You begin accruing paid time off (PTO). Both full-time and part-time associates are eligible for PTO after 90 days and can use it for vacations, appointments, family events, or unexpected illnesses.
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You get your associate discount card. Enjoy 10% off regular-priced general merchandise and fresh produce as a ‘thank you‘ for your service.
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You have access to more comprehensive benefits. Depending on your role, you may be eligible for health insurance, 401(k) matching, tuition assistance, and other perks after probation.
Passing probation also opens up formal opportunities for advancement. With over 200,000 annual promotions across the company, Walmart believes in nurturing talent from within.
"At Walmart, we‘re committed to providing career mobility for associates at all levels, whether that means promoting to store management, exploring a different function, or even moving to the corporate side," says Holler. "Passing probation is the first step in what can be a long, fulfilling career with the company."
Many Walmart executives and senior leaders started in entry-level store roles. With hard work, continuing education, and a growth mindset, there‘s virtually no limit to how far you could go.
Why Some Associates Don‘t Pass Probation
Of course, not everyone makes it to 90 days. The top reasons Walmart associates don‘t pass probation include:
- Excessive tardiness or absenteeism
- Poor job performance or failure to meet basic expectations
- Theft, harassment, violence, or other serious misconduct
- Inability or unwillingness to work assigned shifts
- Insubordination or disrespect to supervisors or coworkers
The good news is that most of these pitfalls are easily avoidable by consistently showing up, following directions, and maintaining a professional demeanor. If extenuating circumstances are impacting your attendance or performance, be upfront with your supervisor – they may be able to help you find a solution.
The outlook for associates terminated during probation depends on the reason. Being let go for severe offenses like theft is often a permanent disqualification, while attendance or performance issues may only require a 6-12 month waiting period before reapplying. In those cases, failing probation can be a valuable learning opportunity.
The Big Picture
Retail is the nation‘s largest private-sector employer, and virtually every major retailer has some form of a probationary period for new hires ranging from 30 to 180 days. It‘s a standard practice that helps both employees and employers minimize the cost of turnover by testing job fit upfront.
"For retailers, probationary periods protect the significant time and resources invested in onboarding and training new hires," says Rob Siefker, Senior Director of Customer Service at Zappos.com. "It‘s crucial for retailers to efficiently identify which associates have the desire and capability to succeed long-term in a fast-paced, customer-facing environment."
For retail workers, successfully completing probation is the first big milestone in any new role, signaling a long-term commitment from your employer. Across the industry, passing probation opens up perks like PTO, insurance eligibility, and advancement opportunities that aren‘t always available to the most junior associates.
Key Takeaways for New Walmart Associates
Transitioning into a new job is exciting, but it can also be daunting, especially at a company as big as Walmart. As you embark on your first 90 days, remember:
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Walmart‘s probationary period exists to set you up for success, not to trip you up. It‘s a learning opportunity, not a test.
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Prioritize the basics – show up on time, follow directions, provide great service, and maintain a positive attitude. The rest will fall into place.
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Don‘t be afraid to ask questions, explore growth opportunities, and picture your long-term career goals from the outset.
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Walmart is a company that promotes from within and invests heavily in associate development. Once you‘ve demonstrated your potential in your first 90 days, there‘s no telling how far you could go.
You‘ve already taken a huge, exciting step by joining the world‘s largest retailer. With curiosity and dedication, you‘ll master probation in no time. We can‘t wait to officially welcome you to the Walmart family.
