General Discussion

Originally posted by Balter

Hey MMORPG,

I'm only 17 and i work Part time at Walmart. I switched a shift of mine (i work in foods) with a girl who works in another department. My manager told me i can't do that because "girls cant lift" (you generally need to stock milk/eggs)

I thought of this as sexist and innapropriate.

What does MMORPG think? and should i do anything about it?

In your opinion, can the girl in question lift?

Originally posted by Waterlily

Originally posted by Gazenthia

Originally posted by Waterlily

 

No, I have been studying anatomy for long enough to know there is no difference. The clavicle is slightly wider in males sometimes but that doesn't impact lifting.

Instead of telling stories based on 0 research and with 0 knowledge of the subject, it would have been much easier to just have admit that you were wrong.

 

My mom also says you're an idiot.

 

That's the argument of someone who doesn't have one. Next time you talk about a subject you know nothing about, just keep it to yourself.

I don't really care who or what you mom is, she could be mickey mouse for all I care.

As you yourself pointed out woman have less muscle developement and heavy lifting is a risk factor to back injuries - what is heavy to one person is not heavy to another.

Poor posture is also a risk factor and, in addition to normal poor posture, the selection of clothes (bras and shoes) women often choose puts pressure on the lower back and alters their posture.

Being over-weight and where it is carried on the body can also contribute to back pain, and here i'll remind you that what is 10 lbs to one person is not 10 lbs to another.  Also i'm not just talking about fat but breast size too.  "Large breasts affect nearly 1 million American women."

So as you can see it's not so foolish to suggest that women are more susceptible to back injuries than men.

Originally posted by baff

Originally posted by Balter

Hey MMORPG,

I'm only 17 and i work Part time at Walmart. I switched a shift of mine (i work in foods) with a girl who works in another department. My manager told me i can't do that because "girls cant lift" (you generally need to stock milk/eggs)

I thought of this as sexist and innapropriate.

What does MMORPG think? and should i do anything about it?

 

In your opinion, can the girl in question lift?

IMO she IS capable of lifting the milk crates (they arent THAT heavy, maybe 20lbs each)

Just for the record, if you work at Walmart, part of the hiring process is letting employees know (even and ESPECIALLY cashiers) that they may be required to lift up to 50lbs of wieght.  Its part of the application and interview process.

The only time I could see them not wanting a woman to "lift" heavy objects in a Wal-Mart environment would be if they were hiring her for unloading the trucks -- which they wouldn't if they were concerned about her lifting stipulations.

Even stockers and cashiers are required to lift at least 50 lbs as part of their job requirements -- to not do so would not be fulfilling what they were hired to do.  So for your manager to say she's a woman and couldn't lift and thereby not giving you a position because of which this would be sexism indeed.

If you are more qualified for the position then that should determine why you are placed there.

Originally posted by maskedweasel

Just for the record, if you work at Walmart, part of the hiring process is letting employees know (even and ESPECIALLY cashiers) that they may be required to lift up to 50lbs of wieght.  Its part of the application and interview process.

The only time I could see them not wanting a woman to "lift" heavy objects in a Wal-Mart environment would be if they were hiring her for unloading the trucks -- which they wouldn't if they were concerned about her lifting stipulations.

Even stockers and cashiers are required to lift at least 50 lbs as part of their job requirements -- to not do so would not be fulfilling what they were hired to do.  So for your manager to say she's a woman and couldn't lift and thereby not giving you a position because of which this would be sexism indeed.

If you are more qualified for the position then that should determine why you are placed there.

 

Yeah but there is a difference between lifting something, lifting something occasionally, and lifting something constantly.  It sounds like this guy is a stockman in the dairy department so he needs to lift 26 lbs constantly.

More info is needed.  What does the girl normally do at Walmart?  What sort of employee is she?  How much do you think she weighs?  What sort of build does she have?  Is her job as physically demanding as yours?

Are you the only dairy stock person on your shift?  Why do you want to make the switch?  Did you ask for the day off and were refused by your manager before hand?

Your manager may be sexist, or may not want to criticise an employee infront of another employee, or may just not want to have to explain decisions to a 17 year old - some people are just that insecure.

For all we know the OP may of pressured the girl into the switch because she has a hard time dealing with conflict and the manager knows it and made up an excuse for her.

Originally posted by maskedweasel

Just for the record, if you work at Walmart, part of the hiring process is letting employees know (even and ESPECIALLY cashiers) that they may be required to lift up to 50lbs of wieght.  Its part of the application and interview process.

I'm guessing that the actual reality is they will never seriously be asked to do that. Almost every cashier I've seen at wal-mart would find it impossible to lift 50lbs. Not difficult, impossible.

Originally posted by Gazenthia

Originally posted by maskedweasel

Just for the record, if you work at Walmart, part of the hiring process is letting employees know (even and ESPECIALLY cashiers) that they may be required to lift up to 50lbs of wieght.  Its part of the application and interview process.

 

I'm guessing that the actual reality is they will never seriously be asked to do that. Almost every cashier I've seen at wal-mart would find it impossible to lift 50lbs. Not difficult, impossible.

But its part of the hiring process nonetheless. I worked at walmart for about a year, in 2 locations.  One as a cashier, and one unloading trucks.  Cashiers have to be able to lift items like large dog food bags, cases of water, paint cans, etc.  because its a loss prevention tactic.  If someone hides a DVD under a case of water because they know they won't pick it up then they've just lost money.

As for stockers, the same goes for them, if they can't lift the product they're stocking consistently -- or at all -- then they're not worth the money they're paying for them.  The could find someone that could do the whole job for the same amount -- and probably will... walmarts turnover rate is ridiculous.

I agree with the general consensus here. I do not find it overtly sexist, although, it certainly could be. If it was indeed a 'safe' comment and was not aimed at offense, then it could have been said better, such as, "I do not want women lifting because of X, Y and Z reasons."

Blessings,

Originally posted by Balter

Hey MMORPG,

I'm only 17 and i work Part time at Walmart. I switched a shift of mine (i work in foods) with a girl who works in another department. My manager told me i can't do that because "girls cant lift" (you generally need to stock milk/eggs)

I thought of this as sexist and innapropriate.

What does MMORPG think? and should i do anyth