The financial compensation associated with onboarding sessions at the retail corporation Walmart constitutes a key point of inquiry for prospective employees. These introductory sessions, generally termed “orientation,” involve the dissemination of company policies, procedures, and expectations to new hires. Whether such sessions are remunerated is a common concern among individuals beginning their employment with the company.
Clarifying the compensation structure for orientation provides transparency and fosters positive employee relations from the outset. Historically, employment law and company policy have dictated the payment for mandatory training, including orientation. The rationale behind this compensation is that the employee’s time is being utilized for the benefit of the employer, and therefore, should be paid at the employee’s agreed upon hourly rate.