Labor & Employment

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Senior leadership within Walmart’s merchandising organization continues to undergo a transformation, as the retailer’s chief merchandising officer Duncan Mac Naughton on Friday announced another round of personnel moves.

New York City -- Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks, cancelled a speech he was to give Friday at The Global Leadership Summit, an annual leadership summit organized by megachurch Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, Ill., after an online petition condemned the congregation as anti-gay. The church denies the charges.

The annual event draws tens of thousands of viewers via satellite. Past speakers have included former GE's Jack Welch former president Bill Clinton.

Walmart’s policy of prohibiting employees from accepting the smallest of gratuities has been in place for a long time and for good reason. Veterans of the company will tell you that early on it was a key driver of success because there was a time when the retail industry was rife with merchants who tended to make buying decisions that were in their best interest as opposed to those of customers.

WASHINGTON — Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have announced a $3 million initiative designed to help D.C. residents get the skills and training they need to gain employment. The program will offer literacy, customer service and retail training to 2,000 District residents.

The retirement of veteran merchant John Westling was announced internally at Walmart last Friday, and in typical fashion his departure has created new opportunities for other executives as responsibilities are reallocated.

Dallas -- PeopleAnswers and Crabtree & Evelyn announced on Thursday a software licensing agreement for the retailer to use the PeopleAnswers HR solution for pre-employment screening and selection for hourly employees and store managers in its 72 stores across the United States in preparation for the holiday season.

Dallas -- SRS Real Estate Partners announced Thursday it has hired Lenny Eterno as a senior associate in the South Florida office.

Eterno will be focusing on the Miami Beach and downtown Miami trade areas.

Prior to joining SRS, Eterno worked for SRS’ affiliate, Cypress AutoGroup, LLC, where he completed transactions throughout the southeast.
 

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl's announced that its board of directors has elected John Schlifske as a new board member, effective immediately. He has been elected to a term expiring at Kohl's 2012 annual shareholders meeting and will be eligible for re-election by Kohl's shareholders at that time. He will initially serve on the board of directors' governance and nominating committee.

ST. LOUIS — Brown Shoe Company announced that it has made four strategic additions to the leadership team within its American Sporting Goods division, appointing James Hoff as VP sales across all ASG brands, Alan Vickers as VP international, Brad Little as VP and brand manager Avia and Nevados, and Jorge Cabrera as VP athletic product development.

By William F. Hauswirth, president of IntelliCorp

You review the resume, conduct the interview, pick the perfect candidate, and make a job offer. Now you have the person start immediately, right? Wrong. What you don’t know about a job applicant can hurt you. It’s not good business practice to hire just anyone who walks through your door. You need to know who they are, and their history. Don’t be a victim of deceit by simply looking at a resume or take someone’s word that they are honest and qualified.