Walmart bosses crack down on workers' infuriating habit
The habit, described by shoppers as 'infuriating' and 'rude', has also become a growing frustration for store managers.
'Everyone, no earbuds period. Stop wearing them,' one manager wrote on a break room whiteboard.
'Store leads will periodically come back here to check if anyone has them,' it added
The warning, a photo of which was posted on Reddit, told staff they would be reprimanded, then if caught a second time would have to 'be coached'.
On a third offense, the message joked darkly: 'You will be taken out back and executed (bullet between the eyes Old Yeller style).'
Despite the tough talk, many employees pushed back.
'Be thankful I give customers a smile and am genuinely helping them than worry I'm not paying attention,' one Walmart employee wrote under the post.
'I can hear the customer service phone ring across the entire store. I can hear most people trying to get my attention,' they explained.
'I'm a cart pusher and my coach is hounding me every 20 minutes to make sure I'm not wearing them,' another lamented.
'I can't wait till it's cold so I can just wear them under a ski mask.'
'I've had one in every shift for about 8 years now and nothing bad has happened because of them. Thankfully my management team doesn't care,' another agreed.
However, customers have long complained that it prevents them from being heard on the shop floor and creates an air of distance.
'Wearing noise cancelling headphones reduces your spatial awareness and is inconsiderate to others when in tight confined aisles,' one shopper moaned.
'It gets quite annoying when wanting to speak to an associate and they keep replying with "huh" or "can you say that again?"' another agreed.
'I find it really rude,' a third added succinctly.
Walmart has recently engaged in mass layoffs this year
Walmart did not respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment.
Walmart has been conducting mass firings at a number of its locations in recent weeks.
The cuts are being made in compliance with a sweeping Supreme Court decision that allowed the Trump administration to revoke work protections for half a million migrant employees.
It comes on top of official layoffs of around 1,500 jobs at the grocery chain as part of a restructuring plan to cut expenses and simplify operations.
The layoffs will hit employees who work in its global technology operations, e-commerce fulfillment, and its ad sales division Walmart Connect.
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