You’re staring at the clock. It’s 4:30 AM, your stomach is doing somersaults, and the thought of standing on a concrete floor for eight hours sounds like a form of medieval torture. Or maybe your car decided today was the day its transmission would give up the ghost. Whatever the reason, you aren't making it to your shift. If you work at Walmart, this is where the Walmart associate information line becomes your best friend and your most stressful obligation all at once.
It's just a phone number. But honestly, it’s the gateway to keeping your job.
Most people think calling out is just about letting the manager know you’re sick. At a company as massive as Walmart, though, it’s a data point. If you don't use the official channels, the system marks you as a "No Call, No Show." Do that a couple of times and you're looking for a new job. The Walmart associate information line is the automated system designed to prevent that mess, but it has its quirks that can trip you up if you’re half-asleep or rushing.
Getting the Number Right (And Why It Matters)
Let’s get the logistics out of the way first. You need to call 1-800-775-5944.
Don’t just save it in your contacts as "Work." Save it as "Walmart Call Out" so you can find it while you’re squinting at your phone in the dark.
When you dial this, you aren't talking to a human at your store—at least not initially. You’re talking to a computer. It’s going to ask for your Walmart Identification Number (WIN). If you don’t have your WIN memorized, you’re basically stuck. Every associate should have this written down somewhere other than their work locker. Your birthday and the store number where you work will also be required.
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The system is strictly automated. It’s efficient, but it’s also cold. It doesn't care that your kid has a fever or that your basement flooded. It just wants the numbers.
The Confirmation Number: Your Golden Ticket
Here is the thing most people mess up. Once you go through the prompts—selecting "sick/injury" or "personal emergency"—the system will give you a confirmation number.
Do not hang up until you have that number. Write it down. Take a screenshot of your call log and write the number in a Notes app. If the store’s computer system glitches and says you never called, that confirmation number is the only thing standing between you and a disciplinary point. Managers are human; they lose track of things. The system, however, is binary. You either have the code, or you didn't call.
Actually, it’s kinda funny how many people think just calling their department manager is enough. It isn't. While it’s good practice (and often required by local store policy) to let your lead know you won’t be there, the Walmart associate information line is what feeds into the Attendance Policy tracking.
Understanding the Attendance Points System
Walmart operates on a point system. It’s pretty straightforward, but the stakes are high. Generally, if you hit 5 points in a rolling six-month period, you’re eligible for termination.
- A standard absence is 1 point.
- Leaving early or showing up late (more than 9 minutes) is usually half a point.
- A "No Call, No Show" is the killer—that’s 2 points plus the point for the absence itself.
Using the Walmart associate information line ensures you only get that 1 point. If you have Protected Paid Time Off (PPTO), you can actually wipe that point away entirely. But even then, you still have to report the absence through the line first.
There’s a bit of a nuance here regarding "Key Event Days." Around the holidays—think Black Friday or the days leading up to Christmas—absences count for double points. If you call out on a Key Event Day, you’re looking at 2 points unless you use PPTO to cover the full duration of your shift. It’s a steep penalty, meant to keep the stores staffed when the crowds are at their worst.
The OneWalmart Portal Alternative
If you hate talking to machines, you can actually skip the phone call. Most associates find the OneWalmart portal (the wire) much easier. You log in, find the "Report an Absence" link, and click through the prompts.
It does the exact same thing as the Walmart associate information line.
The benefit of the portal is that it’s visual. You can see the confirmation number on your screen and take a clear screenshot. Sometimes the audio on the 1-800 number is grainy, or you’re in a loud house and you mishear a digit. The portal eliminates that human error.
However, technology is fickle. Sometimes the OneWalmart site goes down, especially during peak hiring seasons or major updates. In those moments, the phone line is your only fallback. It’s the old-school, reliable method that has stayed consistent for years while the apps and websites get redesigned every other Tuesday.
What Happens After the Call?
Once you finish the call, the system sends a notification to your store. Specifically, it shows up on the "PlanIT" app or the "Me@Walmart" app that managers use.
You should still try to call the store directly and speak to a member of management. This is the "professional" part of the job that the automated system doesn't handle. Telling a machine you're sick keeps you from getting fired; telling your manager you're sick helps them figure out who is going to cover the deli counter or the registers so your coworkers aren't drowning.
Don't be surprised if the store doesn't pick up. We’ve all been there. You call the fitting room or the customer service desk and it just rings and rings. If that happens, as long as you have used the Walmart associate information line and got your confirmation number, you are legally and procedurally covered.
Special Circumstances: Intermittent LOA and Sedgwick
If your absence isn't just a one-day flu, things change. For long-term illnesses, surgeries, or family care, the Walmart associate information line isn't enough. You have to deal with Sedgwick.
Sedgwick is the third-party company Walmart uses to handle Leaves of Absence (LOA). If you're going to be out for more than three days, you have to file a claim with them. This is a common point of confusion. People call the associate line every day for a week and think they're safe, only to find out they needed to start an official LOA file.
If you have an approved "Intermittent LOA" (for something like chronic migraines or a recurring medical condition), you still use the Walmart associate information line to report your daily absence, but you select the "Leave of Absence" option in the menu. Then, you have to report that same absence to Sedgwick within two business days. It feels like a lot of paperwork because, frankly, it is.
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Myths About the Information Line
One big myth is that the line is for "anonymous reporting." It isn't. If you want to report ethics violations or workplace safety issues, that’s a completely different number (the Ethics Hotline). The Walmart associate information line is strictly for attendance and reporting your status for your shift.
Another misconception is that the system "forgives" absences if you have a doctor's note. Actually, Walmart generally doesn't accept doctor's notes at the store level to excused an absence. You either have the PPTO to cover it, or you take the point. The only time a doctor's note really matters is when you are submitting it to Sedgwick for a formal leave.
Actionable Steps for Walmart Associates
Keeping your attendance record clean is about being proactive. Don't wait until you're in a panic to figure this out.
- Store the Number Now: Put 1-800-775-5944 in your phone under "Walmart Call Out."
- Keep Your WIN Accessible: Save your WIN in a secure note on your phone or keep a card in your wallet. You cannot use the information line without it.
- The 9-Minute Rule: Remember that the system tracks your punches. If you are reporting a late arrival through the line, try to be as accurate as possible about your ETA.
- Screenshot Everything: Whether you use the phone or the OneWalmart portal, always save that confirmation number. It is your only evidence if a manager forgets to code your absence correctly.
- Check Your Points Regularly: Log into OneWalmart once a week to check your "GTA Portal." This shows you exactly how many points you have and when they are set to fall off (183 days after the occurrence).
Dealing with the Walmart associate information line is a bit of a rite of passage. It's a clunky, automated reminder that you're part of a massive corporate machine. But knowing exactly how to navigate that machine is the difference between a minor hiccup and losing your paycheck. Just get the confirmation number, stay on top of your PPTO, and keep moving.