Global Ethics Office

Now more than ever my dad built
Walmart for these times.
-Rob Walton

When Sam Walton founded Walmart, he instilled many principles and values within the company, three of which became our 3 Basic Beliefs to which we remain firmly committed.

• Respect for the Individual
• Service to the Customer
• Striving for Excellence

The Global Ethics Office promotes Walmart’s ethical culture to all stakeholders globally.

Our Statement of Ethics gives our associates a reference guide to help them make ethical decisions.

View Statement of Ethics

Download Statement of Ethics

Guiding Principles

• Always act with integrity.
• Lead with integrity, and expect others to work with integrity.
• Follow the law at all times.
• Be honest and fair.
• Respect and encourage diversity, and never discriminate against anyone.
• Work, actions, and relationships outside of your position with the company should be free of any conflicts of interest.
• Ask your manager or the Global Ethics office for help if you have any questions about our Statement of Ethics, or if you face an ethical problem.
• Inform the Global Ethics office about any suspected violations of our Statement of Ethics.
• Reveal and report all information truthfully, without manipulation or misrepresentation.
• Cooperate with and maintain the private nature of any investigation of a possible ethics violation.
• When involved in an ethics investigation, you should reveal and report all information truthfully. You should present all the facts you are aware of without personal opinion, bias, or judgment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Walmart create the Global Ethics Office?

The office was formed to promote Walmart’s ethical culture to all our of stakeholders around the globe. Stakeholders include our associates, customers, shareholders, suppliers, and other companies and individuals we do business with. We serve as a guide and resource for ethical decision-making.

We provide a confidential reporting system for violations of our Statement of Ethics, and oversee any resulting investigations of those violations. Our office also leads a continuing education program for our associates to help sustain our ethical culture.

Does the Global Ethics Office replace Walmart's long standing Open Door Policy?

No, our Open Door Policy is the most direct way for any associate to voice any concern or issue. The Global Ethics Office provides an alternative, confidential resource for answering questions or reporting a suspected ethics violation.

What is the difference between an Open Door issue and an ethics issue?

The Open Door is available to raise both ethics and non-ethics related issues. An ethics issue is one that pertains to our Statement of Ethics.

How do I contact the Global Ethics Office?

Please visit our Helpline Contact page.

Are contacts with the Global Ethics Office confidential?

Yes, if you request confidentiality, we will make every effort to honor your request.

Are contacts with the Global Ethics Office anonymous?

Yes, if you request anonymity, we will make every effort to honor your request. In some cases, however, it may be necessary to reveal your identity to fully investigate the concern.

Who may contact the Global Ethics Office?

We encourage all of our stakeholders to contact the Global Ethics Office with questions or to voice their ethics concerns.

Who answers the Global Ethics Helpline?

The Global Ethics Helpline is available to associates around the world 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is equipped to handle most local languages. The helpline is staffed by an organization not affiliated with Walmart, and to the extent possible (and in conformity with local regulations), callers may not have to give their name. In all cases, associate privacy will be respected to the fullest extent possible under the law.

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