According to many sources and the allegations in the class action lawsuit decided in its favor in 2001, Wal-Mart systematically discriminates against women in its management training and promotional practices; it has illegally refused to hire disabled job applicants; it pressures employees not to unionize; and it has knowingly hired illegal aliens by the hundreds (Cram, 2005; Pea, 2011). That class action suit was decided in Wal-Mart's favor strictly on procedural grounds having to do with the classification of plaintiffs; the merits of the claims were never adjudicated (Martin, 2011).

Detrimental Effects on American Society

The detrimental effects of Wal-Mart's business practices actually extend far beyond those individuals who have (almost) no choice but to work for the company. Specifically, because Wal-Mart chooses to pay its workers such low wages, most of them are eligible for state and federal public assistance programs meant for individuals living at or near the poverty level (Cascio, 2006; Cram, 2005; Pea, 2011). Thousands of Wal-Mart employees receive public assistance benefits such as food stamps, housing subsidies, low-income tax credits, and health care services. In effect, Wal-Mart's business practices and choices foist the responsibility of paying for many of their employees' expenses onto...

Wal-Mart reaps tremendous profits while state and federal financial resources must take up the slack to the tune of millions of dollars annually (Cascio, 2006; Cram, 2005; Pea, 2011).
References

Cascio, W.F. "Decency Means More than 'Always Low Prices': A Comparison of Costco to Wal-Mart's Sam's Club." Academy of Management Perspectives

(August 2006). Retrieved from: http://www.ou.edu/russell/UGcomp/Cascio.pdf

Cram, J. "Ten Things Wal-Mart Doesn't Want You to Know: Find out the True Costs

behind those "Everyday Low Prices." Campus Progress (May 9, 2005). Retrieved

http://www.campusprogress.org/articles/ten_things_wal-

art_doesnt_want_you_to_know

Martin, A. "Digesting the Supreme Court's Wal-Mart Decision." The Atlantic Wire (June

21, 2011). Retrieved from:

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2011/06/digesting-supreme-courts-wal-mart-decision/39074/

Pea, J. "Wal-Mart's Business Practices Cause Systematic Economic Harm to Women in the U.S. And Worldwide: Latest PR Gambit Can't Cover Up the Truth."

Commercial Workers International Union (September 14, 2011). Retrieved from:

http://makingchangeatwalmart.org/2011/09/14/economic-harm-to-women/