Hello, today I will be reviewing an article about Walmart’s truck driver uniform policy and how it is discriminatory towards female drivers.
Check out the article here:
Www.cbsnews.com, 13 Jan. 2022, www.cbsnews.com/news/walmart-lawsuit-diana-webb-truck-driver-alabama/
Diana Webb, a female Walmart truck driver recently filed a lawsuit against the company because the uniforms were tailored to men’s bodies and didn’t fit women properly. Webb states she had to search for other clothes that were similar to the uniform that would fit her. When she asked Walmart to reimburse her for having to buy her own uniform clothes, the declined stating they would have to pay for all the females to buy their clothes if they paid for hers. Webb decides to file a lawsuit against Walmart for this sexist policy of not having an appropriate female uniform. Drivers can wear their own pants, however the men get their pants washed for free by Walmart, if the women elect to wear their own pants instead of the incorrectly fitting uniforms they also have to wash them themselves. This might seem insignificant, but it is unfair to have a service available to men while not having that same service available for men. Webb has also filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission about the blatant misogyny.
Considering the company has 54% female employees, this could lead to a significant but necessary loss for the company. Uniforms need to be provided for the female employees that are not uncomfortable and don’t fit correctly because of their different body shape. Walmart is a giant corporation, but since this sexist custom has come to public light, they will likely see a loss in business until the issue is corrected.
In my opinion, this should have never been an issue to begin with. Everyone knows men and women normally have very different body shapes, and accommodating uniforms should be provided by the company. I hope Webbs wins the lawsuit and that the company must change this policy for the inclusion of all female drivers. It is honestly ridiculous at this point that things like this are still happening in 2022. Misogyny seems to be just as rampant now as it was 30 years ago, because we are unwilling to make progress. Men refuse to give up the hold they have, and sure some things may seem petty and small, but every little straw will eventually break the camel’s back.
Unfortunately many policies such as this still hinder females from having the same privileges as their male coworkers; if the company is gonna provide and maintain proper uniforms for the men, they need to do the same for the women; anything less is unfair and discriminatory. It is no surprise to me this happened in Alabama, the south is notorious for being discriminatory to anyone who doesn’t fit into the perfect little box of straight, white, neurotypical male, and if your a women you have to know your place- and honestly, nothing disgusts me more. I am glad that this women is taking a stand to these policies that are unfair to female workers, companies need to provide equal opportunities for everyone. Walmart is a company giant, and companies like that tend to think they can do whatever they want and no one will stand up to them, well, someone did, and I wish her the best in getting a little closer to equal opportunity.
