How Walmart Tracks Annual Leave: Inside Their HR and Holiday Systems
Introduction
Walmart, the world's largest private employer, needs robust systems to handle HR and annual leave for its staff. With hundreds of thousands of employees in the US alone, Walmart combines well-known HR software with its own custom tools. Here, we explore exactly what systems Walmart uses for daily HR needs and for managing staff time off.
Key Findings
- Walmart’s main HR platform is Workday
- Annual leave (Paid Time Off, PTO) is tracked using the GTA (Global Time and Attendance) Portal, accessed via OneWalmart
- Me@Walmart app offers scheduling, clock-in, and leave request features
- AI-powered HR chatbots support employees with leave and policy questions
- Systems work together to offer a smooth, digital experience
Analysis
HR System: Workday at the Core
Walmart uses Workday for large parts of its HR work—including payroll, managing staff records, and performance reviews^2^6. This is a cloud-based system trusted by many global businesses. Employees use Workday to check payslips, update details, ask for leave, and manage benefits.
Leave Management: GTA Portal and Custom Tools
For tracking annual leave (PTO), Walmart relies on the GTA (Global Time and Attendance) Portal^10. Staff can ask for time off, check balances, and get approvals through this site, which lives inside the OneWalmart staff platform. Leave entitlements and requests are handled here, based on Walmart’s rules about tenure and accrual.
The Me@Walmart app brings clock-in, scheduling, and leave management into one mobile platform. This app is designed in-house and supports store workers on the go, allowing them to see holiday balances and request leave without using a desktop^2.
To make things easier, Walmart has also built an AI-powered chatbot, My Assistant, that can answer leave questions, check allowance balances, and help with simple HR tasks.
These platforms tie together—data from a leave request in the Me@Walmart app feeds through to the GTA Portal and Workday. This gives staff and managers a joined-up view of their annual leave and reduces mistakes.
Why These Systems Work for Walmart
Managing leave for a workforce of Walmart’s size is difficult. By combining a major HR platform with tailored tools, Walmart balances the stability of established staff holiday software with flexible solutions aimed at retail needs. Staff get immediate answers to leave questions and can make requests anytime, while team leaders watch balances and workflows stay accurate.
Conclusion
Walmart’s approach to HR and leave management shows the power of building on proven tools like Workday, while also developing custom apps and portals. Their use of the GTA Portal for annual leave, linked with Workday and their Me@Walmart app, means that all leave is tracked, managed, and approved through reliable systems. Staff have easy mobile access as well as helpful AI features. This blend of software solutions lets Walmart efficiently manage annual leave for its massive, distributed team.
For companies seeking a similar seamless approach, choosing the right staff holiday software can make all the difference.