Walmart restricts employee travel and cancels upcoming conference over coronavirus concerns
- Walmart is restricting employee travel for at least the next two months, the company said Thursday in a memo to employees.
- The company is restricting all cross-border international travel to business-critical trips, but will continue some domestic travel.
- The company will also limit meetings and has canceled an upcoming conference in Dallas, the memo said.
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Walmart sent a memo to employees on Thursday restricting travel due to coronavirus concerns.
The company said it is restricting all cross-border international travel to business-critical trips, but it will continue some domestic travel related to "essential operations," which includes trips to stores.
Walmart is also limiting some meetings and canceling an upcoming conference in Dallas, the memo said.
"Let's be selective about which group meetings occur during this period," the memo said. "In the US, we are cancelling the Walmart US Customer Conference (formerly Year Beginning Meeting) that was scheduled to be in Dallas next week. It seems best to cancel given the size of that meeting, plus the benefit of having our store managers present in their stores during this time."
The company said it would hold a virtual form of the conference instead.
Employees will continue to gather in groups for meetings in Walmart's offices, but employees should not travel for those meetings, the memo said.
"As always, if you're not feeling well, please don't come to work," the memo said. "In the coming weeks and months, as the world learns more about this virus, we will evaluate our response and keep you informed."
Here's the full memo.
We continue to prioritize the safety of our associates, customers and business partners as we monitor the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) around the world. Out of an abundance of caution, we are sharing additional guidelines pertaining to travel that are effective immediately. We expect these guidelines to be in place for at least the months of March and April, so plan accordingly. We'll continue to provide updates as things develop.
Specifically, we are providing guidance on:
- International travel - We are restricting all cross-border international travel to business-critical trips. This applies to all the markets in which we operate. Any such trip must be approved by the Executive Council member for your area or your in-country CEO for International. We will of course make proper arrangements for associates on international travel to return home safely. If you're currently traveling, work with your management and travel team to plan your return.
- Domestic travel - In the U.S., we will continue domestic travel related to essential operations, which includes store and club visits. However, we will restrict less essential travel related to conferences, trade shows and other events. Consult your leadership team if you have questions about a domestic travel decision. Outside of the U.S., each country president will establish or alter their domestic travel guidelines as appropriate.
- Group meetings - Let's be selective about which group meetings occur during this period. In the U.S., we are cancelling the Walmart U.S. Customer Conference (formerly Year Beginning Meeting) that was scheduled to be in Dallas next week. It seems best to cancel given the size of that meeting, plus the benefit of having our store managers present in their stores during this time. We will have a virtual form of the meeting to share some key points. Within our offices, we will continue to gather in groups for meetings (e.g. Town Hall meetings); however, we don't want you to travel for them. Let's use video conferencing or call in rather than travel.
As we shared last week, all associates should take preventive measures to stay healthy. As always, if you're not feeling well, please don't come to work. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren't available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
In the coming weeks and months, as the world learns more about this virus, we will evaluate our response and keep you informed. More information for associates in the U.S. is available on OneWalmart. Associates in our international markets should visit Passport. These pages will be updated frequently.
Thank you to our associates who are doing an exceptional job of serving our customers and communities around the world during this unusual time.
