Wal-Mart's sick leave policy risks spreading swine flu

With swine flu in full swing, Wal-Mart's punitive sick leave policy is discouraging employees from calling in sick, lest they earn enough demerits to be fired, according to a report by the National Labor Committee.

Wal-Mart employees who miss one or more days due to sickness or other reasons, including caring for a sick child, earn a demerit point and lose eight hours of wages. Employees with more than three absences in a six-month period will be disciplined, and four demerits in six months leads to warnings that can lead to dismissal.