Getting sick is inevitable, but calling in sick at work can induce anxiety, especially if you work for a large retailer like Walmart with strict attendance policies. Don‘t worry – this comprehensive 3000+ word guide will walk you through everything you need to know to properly call in sick at Walmart in 2022 without getting penalized.
Step-By-Step: How To Call In Sick at Walmart
When you need to miss work at Walmart due to illness, injury, or medical emergency, follow these steps:
1. Call the Absenteeism and Attendance Hotline
- Call 1-800-775-5944 to reach Walmart‘s 24 hour call-in line
- Have your Walmart ID Number, date of birth, and store number ready to verify your identity
- After providing your information, you will get a confirmation number
2. Notify Your Store Manager
- Stay on the call – it will transfer you to your store manager
- Give the confirmation number you received to your store manager
- If you can‘t get through, call the store directly and speak to any manager on duty
3. Call In Advance
- Try to call at least 3 hours before your shift starts so managers can find coverage
- If you wake up sick, call ASAP – even if less than 3 hours notice
4. Follow Up if Needed
- Call the store 1-2 hours before your shift if you haven‘t heard back after calling in
- Confirm they received notice and have coverage for your position
5. Explain Prolonged Absences
- If you‘ll be out 3+ days, request a medical leave of absence
- Contact Sedgwick at 1-800-492-5678 to start leave process
That covers the key steps to correctly call in sick at Walmart. Seems simple, but it‘s important to follow proper protocol to avoid attendance penalties. Let‘s look at some common questions employees have about calling in sick.
How Much Advance Notice Does Walmart Require?
Walmart wants associates to provide at least 3 hours notice before your shift when you call in sick. This gives managers sufficient time to call around and find someone to cover for you.
For example, if your shift starts at noon, you would need to call in by 9am at the latest.
Of course, unexpected illnesses happen, and you may not always be able to provide 3+ hours notice. Here‘s what to do if you can‘t reach the 3 hour cutoff:
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Call ASAP if you wake up sick. Don‘t worry if it‘s less than 3 hours before your shift. Emergencies happen and managers understand that. Just call the 1-800 number and your store manager right away.
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Call immediately if you get sick on the job. Don‘t tough it out if you start feeling ill while at work. Notify your manager immediately so they can send you home. No need to call the 1-800 line from work.
The 3 hour rule is primarily for scheduled shifts you know you can‘t work that day. While Walmart strongly prefers as much notice as possible, getting in touch quickly when a same-day illness arises can help avoid penalties.
Key Dates to Avoid Missing
Walmart tracks call-ins on certain "key dates" throughout the year when stores are busiest. Calling in sick on a key date without advance notice can lead to extra penalty points.
Here are some examples of Walmart‘s key dates:
- Major holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Years
- Busy weekends like Black Friday weekend, Back-to-School season
- Special store events like inventory or visits from corporate executives
Your best bet is to avoid calling out sick on key dates whenever possible. Make back-up care plans in advance if you have health issues that could flare up.
If you do absolutely have to call in on a key date due to emergency, be extra diligent about calling both the 1-800 line and your store manager directly to explain the situation.
Using Your Paid Sick Leave
Many Walmart employees receive paid sick leave as part of their benefits package. This allows you to take paid time off for medical reasons. Here‘s an overview of how it works:
- You earn 1 hour of sick leave per 30 hours worked
- Accrued sick leave rolls over year to year
- Full-time employees earn ~7 sick days per year
Paid sick leave policies are set at the state level based on local labor laws. Currently, Walmart provides paid sick leave in these locations:
States With Walmart Paid Sick Leave
| State | Hours Earned Per 30 Worked | Annual Accrual for FT Employee |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 1 | 40 hours |
| California | 1 | 24 hours |
| Connecticut | 1 | 40 hours |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 40 hours |
| Maryland | 1 | 64 hours |
| Michigan | 1 | 40 hours |
| New Jersey | 1 | 40 hours |
| Oregon | 1 | 40 hours |
| Rhode Island | 1 | 24 hours |
| Vermont | 1 | 24 hours |
| Washington | 1 | 40 hours |
Check if your state is listed. If so, you can use accrued paid sick leave hours to get paid for missed shifts due to sickness or medical visits.
Walmart vs. Other Retailers – Paid Sick Leave
| Company | Paid Sick Leave Offered? |
|---|---|
| Walmart | Yes, in select states |
| Costco | Yes |
| Target | Yes |
| Amazon | No |
| The Home Depot | No |
Avoiding Penalty Points
When you don‘t show up for a scheduled shift without calling in, Walmart issues “points” against your attendance record. Here‘s how it works:
- No call/no show: 1 point
- Call in late: 1 point
- Miss part of shift: 0.5 point
- Miss key date: Up to 3 points
Get 6 points over a 6 month period and you will be terminated. So it‘s critical to call in correctly to avoid these penalties.
You should never receive points for sick call-ins as long as you:
✅ Call the 1-800 line at least 3 hours pre-shift
✅ Notify your store manager about your absence
✅ Don‘t miss a partial or full shift without proper notice
Sometimes managers forgive late call-ins if you have an emergency. But your best bet is sticking to the 3 hour rule.
Walmart Attendance Policy vs. Other Retailers
| Company | Allowed Call-Ins Per 6 Months Before Termination |
|---|---|
| Walmart | 6 call-ins |
| Target | 4 call-ins |
| Home Depot | 3 call-ins |
| Lowe‘s | 3 call-ins |
Walmart offers slightly more flexibility than competitors when it comes to call-ins. But repeated flouting of the attendance policy can still cost you your job.
Calling In Sick Long-Term
If you require extended time off work due to illness or injury, you‘ll need to request a formal leave of absence that goes beyond 3 days.
Here are the options for long leaves:
- Personal leave: Up to 12 weeks off for important personal reasons
- Medical leave: For your own serious medical condition
- Family leave: To care for sick family members
To get the ball rolling, call Walmart‘s leave management partner Sedgwick at 1-800-492-5678 or start your claim on mySedgwick.
You‘ll need documentation from your healthcare provider outlining your medical situation and expected recovery timeframe. Sedgwick will guide you through the steps to get your leave approved.
During medical leave, you may qualify for partial pay replacement through short term disability insurance. Check Walmart‘s leave policies for details.
FAQs: Calling In Sick at Walmart
Let‘s round out this guide by answering some frequently asked questions about calling in sick:
How many sick days do Walmart employees get?
Most full-time Walmart employees earn approximately 7 sick days (56 hours) per year. Part-time staff earn sick time proportional to the hours they work.
Can you get fired for calling in sick too much at Walmart?
You won‘t automatically be fired for frequent call-ins if you follow proper notice procedures. However, consistent attendance issues could result in termination down the road.
What if I feel sick during my Walmart shift?
Notify your manager immediately if you start feeling ill while working. They will likely send you home without penalty depending on the circumstances.
Who can I call if my store manager doesn‘t answer?
Try the assistant store manager, personnel manager, or any salaried manager if your store manager is unavailable when you call in.
What if I can‘t call and just miss my shift?
No call/no shows lead to penalty points. If you forgot to call in, reach out to your manager immediately to explain. They may forgive the violation if it was an honest mistake.
Can I call in sick from the Walmart app or website?
Yes, you can submit sick call-ins through OneWalmart. But a phone call is preferable since you can directly alert your store manager of your absence faster.
In Conclusion
Calling in sick at Walmart is simple – just dial 1-800-775-5944 at least 3 hours before your shift, provide your employee ID, then notify your store manager. Give plenty of notice on key dates, use paid sick leave when applicable, and avoid penalties by following policy. This guide covered everything you need to know to call in sick at Walmart properly. Now you can focus on feeling better!
