New Walmart Requirement May Cost Man with Cerebral Palsy Job of 10 Years
After working at Walmart for the past 10 years, an employee with cerebral palsy may be out of a job because of changing work requirements.
Adam Catlin, 30, has been working as a greeter at a Walmart in Middleburg, Pennsylvania, since he graduated from high school.
Catlin could stay home and collect disability pay, but instead, he chooses to work 32 hours a week at the job he says he loves.
But come April, Catlin’s job requirements will be changing as Walmart shifts the store greeter position into a “customer host” position, according to Insider.
Catlin was told that the new job description would require him to stand for the duration of his shift, lift 25 pounds, write reports and read receipts.
Catlin, who uses a walker and is legally blind, is worried he will lose his job because he cannot meet the new physical requirements.
Catlin’s mother, Holly Catlin, said the news came unexpectedly and had a devastating effect on her son who loves to work.
“His Walmart family has been a huge part of his world,” Holly Catlin wrote on Facebook, wishing the situation had been handled more delicately.
“Adam loves his job so much and does it with his whole heart. He looks forward to you and your families, especially your kiddos,” she wrote.
“He seems to know them all by name. He has always, always, had outstanding reviews and truly loves his work family, coworkers and all of management alike.”
Walmart spokesman Justin Rushing explained that the store greeter position is being changed in approximately 1,000 U.S. stores, but they are looking into how best to handle Catlin’s situation.
“We recognize this is a unique situation and it will take time to explore possible solutions,” Rushing said.
“As we phase the greeter role out of this store over a 60-day period, our store management and local human resource teams will be in regular contact with Adam and his family as we explore every available option to him.
“We will be thoughtful during the process in hopes of finding a way for Adam to stay with the store.”
Catlin’s sister is also advocating for her brother, arguing that while corporate policies understandably change over time, an employee like Adam, who has demonstrated a strong work ethic and a good attitude for 10 years, should be grandfathered in.
Liftable, a brand of The Western Journal, has reached out to Walmart Media Relations for comment but has not yet received a response. We will update this article if and when we do.
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