Walmart 90 Day Probation In 2023: What to Expect and How to Succeed
If you‘ve recently been hired at Walmart, you may be wondering what to expect during the retail giant‘s 90-day probationary period for new employees. As an experienced ecommerce seller and manager, I know firsthand how important training, feedback, and evaluation are when bringing on new team members.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll explain Walmart‘s probation policies using insights from my own background in hiring, onboarding, and developing employees. You‘ll learn the purpose of the 90-day trial period, what happens during it, tips for successfully passing probation, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Let‘s get started!
An Overview of Walmart‘s 90 Day Probationary Period
Walmart imposes a 90-day probationary period on all new hires for most store associate and corporate positions. Most employees are subject to this policy during their first three months of employment.
The probationary period serves several purposes for Walmart:
It allows managers to provide training and observe performance before making a long-term commitment.
It‘s an evaluation period to determine if the new hire is a good culture and skill fit for the role.
It enables closer monitoring of reliability through attendance tracking.
It shows whether the employee is willing and able to meet Walmart‘s standards.
Essentially, the 90-day trial period benefits both the company and the new hire. Walmart gets to assess candidates thoroughly before offering continued employment. And associates can evaluate if the job is a good match for them.
It‘s normal to feel nervous as a new hire on probation. But seeing it as an opportunity to demonstrate your abilities can set you up for success.
What to Expect During the 90 Days of Probation
If you‘ve recently joined the Walmart team, here are some things you can expect during your 90-day probationary period:
Onboarding and Training
You‘ll go through Walmart‘s new employee orientation program to learn about company policies, procedures, and culture.
You‘ll receive initial training for your specific job role. The depth of training varies by position.
Expect to ask plenty of questions! It‘s better to ask upfront rather than make mistakes later on.
Performance Evaluations
Your manager will closely monitor and provide feedback on your performance.
Formal performance reviews typically happen at 30 days, 60 days, and 90 days.
Be receptive to constructive feedback so you can improve.
Attendance Tracking
Walmart follows absenteeism and tardiness closely for new hires.
Only call out when absolutely necessary during probation.
Always arrive on time or early for shifts. Don‘t clock in late.
Schedule appointments and errands outside work hours whenever possible.
Alert managers immediately about any situation that could impact your attendance.
By following expectations for training, performance, and attendance, you show that you are committed to success at Walmart.
Tips for Completing Probation Successfully
As a new Walmart associate on a 90-day trial period, how can you ensure you pass probation and transition to regular employee status? Here are my top 7 tips:
1. Avoid Unnecessary Absences
One of the key criteria of your probation is consistent attendance. Only call out if you absolutely have to, and avoid scheduling time off if possible.
2. Arrive on Time
Tardiness and clocking in late will be counted against you. Make sure you show up for work early or on time without exception during the 90-day period.
3. Ask Questions
It‘s better to ask questions upfront and clarify expectations than to make incorrect assumptions. Asking questions shows initiative.
4. Be Willing to Learn
Approach training with an open mind and eagerness to acquire new skills. Soak up as much knowledge as possible.
5. Stay Positive
Avoid complaining or dwelling on the negatives. Keep an upbeat, friendly attitude even during moments of stress.
6. Provide Great Customer Service
Interact with shoppers and members politely and helpfully. Go above and beyond.
7. Follow Feedback
Listen to your manager‘s constructive criticism and demonstrate improvement over the 90 days.
By following these tips, you can confirm to Walmart that you‘re worth investing in long-term.
Changes After You Pass Probation
Once you successfully complete your 90-day probationary period, here are some of the changes that take place:
- You begin accruing PTO for vacations and personal time off.
- You receive your employee discount card for 10% off general merchandise and fresh produce.
- Performance expectations remain, but you aren‘t under quite as much scrutiny.
- You enter "regular employee" status rather than probationary.
Passing probation earns you some nice job perks! But remember, you still need to meet attendance and performance standards. Don‘t let things slide after your 90 days are up.
Walmart‘s Rehire Policy After Failing Probation
What happens if you don‘t pass the 90-day probation at Walmart? Can you reapply later on?
Rehire eligibility mainly depends on why you were terminated:
If fired for attendance or other reasons unrelated to work ethic, rehiring is likely once you reapply after 90 days.
Termination for misconduct like theft means you won‘t be rehired.
If fired for performance issues like tardiness, you may need to wait 6 months to a year to reapply based on the situation.
The key is maintaining a professional attitude even if let go, so you leave on good terms.
Here are some statistics on Walmart‘s rehire policies:
| Reason for Termination | Typical Rehire Waiting Period | Rehire Likelihood |
|---|---|---|
| Attendance problems due to illness, family issues, etc. | 90 days | High |
| Tardiness, rudeness to customers, other performance issues | 6-12 months | Moderate |
| Theft, harassment, violation of policies | Permanent | Very low |
This inside look at rehiring after probation failure can help you make choices that leave the door open in the future if needed.
Probation Provides a Pathway to a Walmart Career
As a new Walmart associate, viewing the 90-day probationary period as a positive opportunity can set you up for success. By committing yourself fully to learning, performing, and avoiding absence, you can confirm your fit to managers.
If you ever have any other questions as you navigate the probation process, don‘t hesitate to ask. I‘m always happy to share insights from my years of experience managing, training, and developing star retail employees.
Remember, hard work and a great attitude during these first 90 days can lead to an amazing long-term career at Walmart. You got this!
