The practice in question refers to the process of proactively assigning substitute personnel to scheduled shifts in advance, specifically within Walmart’s operational framework. For example, if an employee requests time off or is anticipated to be absent, a qualified substitute is identified and allocated to cover the shift before the absence occurs.
This forward-thinking approach offers several advantages, including minimizing disruptions to workflow, ensuring adequate staffing levels to meet customer demand, and maintaining operational efficiency. Historically, relying on last-minute replacements or reactive staffing adjustments often resulted in decreased productivity and potentially compromised customer service.