Check these 14 items in your employee handbook to ensure they comply with new laws and regulations
Learn walmart with free interactive flashcards. Choose from 500 different sets of walmart flashcards on Quizlet. Get the latest exclusive associate discounts, Walmart stories, and more delivered right to your inbox monthly. In January 2018, Walmart announced plans to increase the starting wage rate for all hourly associates in the U.S. To $11, expand maternity and parental leave benefits and provide a one-time cash bonus for eligible associates of up to $1,000.
Posted by Katie Yahnke on January 30th, 2019Every business, no matter the size, should have well-drafted employee handbooks. However, it is very important that those handbooks are updated annually to ensure that they are in compliance with any new or changed federal, state and local laws, as well as with any court decisions that could impact your business.
Here is a list of suggested issues and updates that should be looked at and included in your handbooks.
14 Updates to Your Employee Handbook for 2020
- Your social media and digital data policies. If your handbook includes a policy that’s too restrictive it might not hold up in court. Handbooks must make it clear that employees have no right to privacy while accessing social media at work. Employees should not download apps onto a device that also contains employee information.
- A policy regarding posting or saying negative things about the workplace or recording anything in the workplace.
- Update or include a paid leave policy. Your state may have changed or added rules about paid leave.
- If you don’t have one, include a weapons policy. If you do have one, you may need to update it. Many states now allow gun owners to keep a licensed firearm in their cars in your parking lot. If your state does allow this, it’s important to have a strong policy about bringing firearms onto your premises.
- The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) states that companies must protect their employees’ free speech rights. Handbooks can prohibit employees from revealing confidential business information, but the text should avoid any language that could be interpreted as infringing on free speech.
- You should also have a policy providing the same maternity leave to men as you have for female employees.
- You may want to consider including a policy that allows you to fire someone for off-duty conduct violations related to their involvement in political protests and other forms of demonstration.
- Your handbook should state that witnesses and others (whistleblowers) who participate in a retaliation claim will be protected. It should also state that the company cannot promise confidentiality for people who make retaliation complaints.
- You should state in your handbook that employees may not work overtime without advance permission from their manager and that they will be disciplined if they do not do so.
- You may want to include a policy stating procedures for correcting a mistake in the event of improper payment to or deductions from an employee’s pay.
- If desired, you can have a policy that prohibits employees from discussing salaries.
- Include information on how you will treat a worker who is not eligible for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or who has exhausted such leave. The employee may be eligible for leave under the American’s with Disabilities Act. (ADA).
- Handbooks should specifically mention where e-cigarettes can be used, treating them like any other tobacco product. For states where marijuana use is legal, the handbook should clearly state that employees should not be under the influence of legal drugs that impair them while on the job.
- A 2015 U.S. Supreme Court Decision held that states must recognize same-sex marriages. As a result, companies must provide the same health and retirements to same-sex couples that they offer to other wedded individuals. Laws and regulations are still evolving regarding the employment rights of those in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Make sure that you work with your legal team and use your handbook to express the intention to treat all employees equally regardless of their marital status, sexual orientation or sexual identity.
If you haven’t updated your employee handbook or HR manual recently, you need to put this at the top of your to-do list to protect your business. It is also a good idea to include legal counsel to review all new policies or updates. And be sure to distribute the updated handbook to every employee.
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Marketing WriterKatie is a former marketing writer at i-Sight. She writes on topics that range from fraud, corporate security and workplace investigations to corporate culture, ethics and compliance.Related Resources
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Case Management Selection at Allstate: Part 3
With Walmart’s massive popularity, you might have considered having a franchise ofthe biggest company in the world in terms of revenue. That said, how much does a Walmart franchise cost?
Walmart Franchise – Is There Such A Thing?
Actually, there is no such thing as a Walmart franchise per se. All of its superstores and branches are company-owned and operated. However, you can still have the chance to “own” part of it if you buy some of its stocks.
Another option is getting a franchise of other businesses that you can put up inside Walmart’s one of many stores. That’s the closest that you can get to having a business connected to the retail giant.
Further, taking advantage of Walmart’s popularity will always be a nice idea. This is by putting up your business in front or inside of its operating stores. However, prepare for large investments since most probably, rentals and other requirements in putting up a business anywhere near a Walmart location would cost a fortune.
Costs of Setting Up a Franchise Inside Walmart
You won’t be paying a Walmart franchise startup fee. But, as previously pointed out, just being mentioned in the same breath as Walmart would be a huge advantage for your business.
The benefits of setting up a business inside the many stores of the company include:
- A captured market
- Less competition
- High-traffic location
Note that Walmart would help you find a strategic location under its roof. This assistance would definitely have a positive effect on your business as you will most probably be placed where foot traffic is very high; making Walmart’s loyal clientele notice your business, and hopefully, patronize what you have to offer as well.
The majority of franchises’ startup costs range from $50,000 to around $200,000. The lowest price, on the other hand, is $10,000, while the most expensive could reach up to $5 million. The specific types of business and their prices include:
- Home-based or mobile concept: $10,000
- Fast food restaurants: $250,000 to $1 million
- Full-service restaurants: $750,000 to $3 million
- Auto repair and maintenance facilities: $200,000 to $300,000
Aside from the startup costs, you would also need to settle the franchise fee. The payment would allow you to use the franchisor’s brand and to receive assistance with setting up your business.
Franchise fees usually run about $20,000 to $50,000. However, more established brands could charge as high as $100,000 or more if you are getting a master franchise or the kind where you solely have the right to supply for a particular area and not just one store.
Fast Food Franchises
Some of the most popular and most profitable franchises found inside Walmart stores are McDonald’s, Dunkin Donuts, and Subway.
The following are some pertinent information regarding the franchise of these fast food establishments:
McDonald’s
- Initial McDonald’s franchise cost of $45,000
- Startup cost of around $1,314,500 to $2,306,500 (40% must be paid in cash and the balance through financing)
- Monthly service fee equivalent to 4% of gross sales
- Franchise term is typically 20 years for traditional locations
Dunkin’ Donuts
- Building costs of $19,500 to $580,000
- Site development costs of up to $325,000
- Initial Dunkin’ Donuts franchise cost of $40,000 to $90,000
- Continuing franchise fee of 5.9% of gross sales
- Continuing advertising fee of 5% of total gross sales
- Franchise term is typically 20 years
Subway
- Startup cost of around $100,050 to $342,400
- Initial Subway franchise cost of $15,000 (only $5,000 for satellite restaurant)
- Ongoing royalty fee of 8% of gross sales
- Advertising fee of 4.5% of gross sales
Fill the form below to get personalized quotes and information on franchises you would be interested in –
Additionally, you should comply with the minimum financial requirements of the franchise you wish to venture into. Usually, a company requires a specific amount of liquid assets and net worth before it can consider your application. This is the case with Subway franchise requirements, which have a liquid cash prerequisite of $30,000.
Another establishment that is probably on top of a businessman’s mind is a coffee shop. Ever wondered how much does a Starbucks franchise cost?
Unfortunately, the company doesn’t offer franchising, unless you live in another country. The best you can do if you’re in the US is to open a Starbucks licensed store.
Service Franchises
You can also consider franchises that are serviced-based like Cellairis. The business has an established relationship with Walmart. Its stores offer repair services for mobile devices and electronics.
The cost of buying a Cellairis franchise includes:
- Startup cost of around $36,810 for a cart to $373,575 for inline or full-store
- Initial franchise fee for a kiosk: $20,000
- Initial franchise fee for an inline or full store experience: $25,000
- Initial royalty fee for a kiosk and inline: $800 per month or 3% of gross sales
- Initial royalty fee for a full store experience: 4% of gross sales
- Liquid cash requirement of $50,000 or can obtain financing of at least $80,000
If a particular establishment or its products or services are still not well-known to many, a great way to boost your sales is by putting up a branch inside Walmart. Take the case of Seva Beauty, which specializes in brow shaping, waxing, and facial hair removal.
- Startup cost of $55,050 to $212,700
- Initial franchise fee: $25,000
- Walmart entrance fee: $10,000
According to a franchisee, getting people to patronize its business was a bit hard at first. After all, threading, at that time before it entered Walmart, was not a familiar niche. However, it helped that he has put up a branch in Walmart.
Its location made it easy for customers to enter the store and see what services it offers. It was also an advantage as Seva already had a strong relationship with the retailer company.
Sub Shops Franchises
Aside from setting up a franchise in Walmart, you can also buy sub shops stationed inside the retail store.
One of the platforms to find franchises for sale is BizBen.com. For instance, the website has a list of sub shops in San Diego sold for prices ranging from $34,000 to $375,000. The initial list includes:
- YogurtLand: $375,000
- Asian Fusion Quick Service Restaurant: $34,000
- Upscale Coastal Juice Bar Café: $375,000
- Frozen Yogurt and Sandwich Shop: $59,000
Businesses also continue to partner with the retail company. For instance, Philly Pretzel Factory had set up shop in Walmart locations in Virginia in 2014. Five of the retail stores are located in the Richmond area.
The company has been franchising since 2005 and has around 110 units located in Walmart stores.
Another franchise that recently partnered with Walmart is Marco’s Pizza. The store is located at the Urbana Walmart Supercenter and has been operating since September 2016.
Walmart Realty
The initial process of acquiring a space in front or inside Walmart includes:
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- Review the Landlord and Tenant Handbook. You should first ensure that your business complies with general operating requirements.
- Review available spaces. Walmart Realty has a list of available leasing space you could choose from. Most rates are negotiable.
- Fill out the new tenant business summary form. You should supply the company with your franchise details. You would then send your accomplished form to [email protected]
If you have a vending machine, Walmart also offers a space for that. The company’s Automated Consumer Services group would make sure you’d acquire a vestibule location that has high traffic.
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