Walmart worker says new AI scheduler favors 'clopening' shifts and no 2 days off in a row

A Walmart employee says a new AI-based scheduling system has made their schedule so bad that they have no life outside of work.

The worker said the current setup means stretches of six or seven shifts at a time, nonconsecutive days off, and repeated "clopening" schedules that leave little room for rest or personal time.

Here's what to know

According to a post on Reddit's r/Walmart, the employee said they lost the Tuesday-Wednesday days off they had after stepping down from a previous position and being moved to general merchandise. They added that a coach said the new system does not allow employees to have back-to-back days off.

The worker described their new schedule this way: "I never asked for weekends off. When i stepped down i was give tues weds off. Now im working 6-7 in a row split days off."

One commenter focused on the toll of split days off, writing, "I really don't understand what they problem is with two days off in a row but the computer scheduler has always hated it," and added, "I don't care about anything else. I'll work nights, weekends, whatever. I just want my two days off in a row. Split days leads me to burn out."

The poster also said adjusting availability wasn't a simple fix. After bringing up the idea at work, they said, "Got told I'd be moved to part time." Elsewhere in the thread, the worker added that they were "the only person without a set schedule on my team."

More background

One commenter suggested that the poster bring the issue up to the ethics committee, saying, "that's an ethics complaint."

Late-close, early-open turnarounds were another major frustration in the thread. The original poster said they were "clopening most days," and another commenter pointed to shifts like "11pm+, back at 6am?" before adding, "It was usually Friday into Saturday so not visible as same schedule."

Commenters suggested this was a common theme among supermarket employees. One commenter offered a blunt response: "Just another attempt to make long term associates quit on their own." This suggested an underhanded way to cut expensive employees.

Another reply came from a worker who said the scheduling changes helped drive their decision to leave. That commenter wrote, "My last day was Friday after almost 12 years," and said being told about a rotating schedule pushed them to quit after serving in roles including ACC TL, hardlines TL, APA, cap 2 supervisor, and support manager.

What can be done?

Some commenters suggested limiting availability as a possible workaround. One person said, "That's what I did," adding that staffing shortages at their store meant they were "still hitting 40 hours a week."

One commenter said the worker should try raising the problem with management first: "I'd talk to a People Lead or coach and state your issues." The same commenter added that if management would not listen, it "might be time to give them your walking papers after you get a new job."

Another worker said they drew a firm line on clopenings, saying they "told my coach no."

Where can I learn more?

These other Walmart stories have also focused on how workers are responding to company systems and store policies.

• Walmart says AI tools for produce could reduce waste across its fresh-food supply chain.

• At Walmart, an employee was told a customer's box request went against store policy.

• A Walmart worker shared photos of major food waste, fueling anger over discarded groceries.

• A Walmart worker said unsellable plants were trashed instead of being donated away.

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