Final answer:
The question surrounds Walmart's practices concerning employee relations, highlighting illegal actions against protesting workers and gender-based hiring discrimination, illustrating ongoing difficulties in labor rights and corporate responsibility.
Step-by-step explanation:
The discussion pertains to Walmart and touches upon various employment-related controversies the company has been involved with over the years. One significant issue arose in 2013 when the National Labor Relations Board found Walmart guilty of illegally penalizing and firing workers who participated in labor protests and strikes. Additionally, Walmart has had to address gender discrimination grievances, paying substantial sums in back wages and compensatory damages due to sex-based hiring practices. Notably, in Kentucky, Walmart compensated women who were denied jobs because of their sex, and Walmart had to pay out a $20 million settlement for a sex-based hiring discrimination lawsuit involving a physical ability test used nationwide at their grocery distribution centers. These cases underscore challenges faced by employees in the post-industrial, service economy of the U.S. and reflect broader trends in labor rights and corporate accountability.