Getting sick is always a bummer, but it can be especially inconvenient when you have to deal with calling out of work. If you’re reading this article, then we’re guessing you’re probably a Walmart employee trying to figure out how to report a sick day. If that’s the case, keep reading! We have all the answers you need so that you can get back to focusing on resting and getting well.
Contents
How Soon Do You Have To Call In Sick?
Though there is no formal rule, Walmart employees are advised to call in sick at least 3 hours before the beginning of their shift. If you’d like to plan ahead, you can call in as early as 24 hours in advance.
If you do not report your absence in time, you will be categorized as a “no call, no show,” which comes with consequences which we will explain further down.
To call in sick as a Walmart employee, call 1-800-775-5944 and choose “report an absence” when prompted. To report your absence, you will need to provide your WIN (Walmart Identification Number), birthdate, as well as your Walmart’s store number.
How Many Times Can You Call In Sick?
Each time you call in sick, you receive 1 penalty point against your attendance. Once you have received 5 penalty points, you face the risk of termination. However, penalty points drop off after six months of when they’re received.
In other words, you can theoretically get away with calling in sick four times every six months. However, keep in mind that at 4 penalty points, you are ineligible to receive raises. This also means that you cannot risk receiving penalty points for any other reason.
It’s also important to note that attendance penalty points are double on holidays, so if you call out on Labor Day, Memorial Day, or any other major holiday, you will receive 2 penalty points instead of 1.
If you have been working at Walmart for longer than 90 days and have accrued PTO (paid time off), you can use this towards your sick days to receive pay for these absences.
What Happens If You Don’t Call In Sick?
If you do not call in to report your absence and you also do not show up for your shift, you will be considered a “no call, no show.” When this happens, you will receive 2 attendance “points” or penalty points that work against you. Once you have received 5 penalty points, Walmart has grounds to fire you. At 4 points, you become ineligible for your annual raise.
The good news is that penalty points expire after six months.
Does Walmart Offer Leaves During Prolonged Sickness?
If you are dealing with a prolonged illness or medical condition, you can always request a leave of absence as a Walmart employee.
To file for a leave of absence from Walmart, log into your mySedgwick account and follow the prompts to request a leave of absence or LOA. Your request will be reviewed by Sedgwick, and you will need to wait for it to be approved before your leave is confirmed. If your LOA is approved, you may be eligible for Walmart’s Paid Family Leave. Walmart offers up to 12 weeks of paid leave for eligible employees.
Leave requests should be submitted at least 30 days in advance whenever possible. If you are not able to give that much notice, you can still request your leave at any time.
How To Call In Sick At Walmart?
To call in sick as a Walmart employee, simply follow these steps:
- Call 1-800-775-5944 and select “report an absence” from the options given
- When prompted, provide your WIN, birthdate, and store number
- When your absence is approved, you will receive a confirmation number
- Write down your confirmation number using a pen and paper
- As a courtesy to your coworkers, call the Walmart store where you work to let them know you will be unable to show up for your shift (do this at least three hours before your shift begins)
If you have a WalmartOne account set up, you can also use the app or website to report your absence instead of calling over the phone. This is additionally helpful because you can report absences at any time of the day or night.
What You Need Before Calling In Sick
To call in sick at Walmart, you will need the following:
- Your Walmart Identification Number (WIN)
- Your birthdate
- Your Walmart store location number
How To Call In Sick At Walmart Out-Of-Hours
You can call in sick to Walmart any time, regardless of the time of day.
To do so, simply log into your WalmartOne account through the website or app and click “report an absence.”
Tips For Calling In Sick At Walmart
Here are some tips to follow any time you’re calling in sick at Walmart:
- Report your absence at least three hours in advance
- Always your report your absences over the phone at 1-800-775-5944 or through the WalmartOne app (even if you call your store directly, you must still report your absence to Walmart corporate)
- If you do not receive a confirmation number, assume that your absence was not properly reported and try again (your confirmation number is your record that proves that you reported your absence correctly)
- Even though you don’t have to, it’s very thoughtful to call your store directly to let them know that you will be unable to arrive for your shift
FAQs
Can you call in sick using the Walmart app?
Yes. Using the WalmartOne app, you can report an absence such as a sick day.
Can you use PTO to call in sick at Walmart?
Yes. If you have accrued PTO, you can use this to receive paid sick leave.
Will you get in trouble for missing a day of work at Walmart?
Not necessarily. If you notify Walmart of your absence, then you shouldn’t have to worry about getting in trouble. However, if you are a “no call, no show,” then you will receive penalty points and there is also a chance you will face further consequences when you return to work.
What is a WIN?
Walmart Identification Number. A WIN is used to identify a Walmart employee for things like sick leave, benefits, etc.
Conclusion
Calling in sick to Walmart is made fairly easy due to Walmart’s automated telephone and app-based sick leave reporting systems. All you have to do is call the designated number or log into your WalmartOne app any time you need to report an absence. Make sure to do this at least three hours in advance of your shift to avoid being considered a “no call, no show.”
Any time you call in sick, you will receive at least one penalty point. If you do not properly report your absence, you will receive two penalty points. Once you receive five penalty points, you can be fired. However, as long as you stick to the policy and don’t overdo it on sick days, you shouldn’t face any major consequences for calling out sick from Walmart.
