At the downside of its uncomparable business success is Wal-Mart's hugely criticised unethical business practice. Along the years, Wal-Mart had been involved into numerous lawsuits from various walks of the society. The affected stakeholders include labor unions, environmental groups, local communities and even its own employees. In detail, controversial business conducts are observed on many different fronts, including gender and racial discrimination at workplace and overseas prison labor and sweatshops arising from questionable supplier selection.

Discrimination towards women and the disabled
As the largest stakeholders that build up Wal-Mart’s business empire, employees are of paramount importance to Wal-Mart’s success. However, over the two million employees it has worldwide, it is seen that women are treated differently than men. Over 100 female employees had submitted the unfairness treatment to the American highest court, claiming that women are discriminated in promotion, pay, training and job assignment. Evidence found supports the statements that two-thirds of the employees paid by the hour in Wal-Mart are women,and only 31% of the managers are females. Meanwhile, unfair treatment towards the disabled people were also found.Wal-Mart had first agreed an amount of $132,500 for two deaf applicants, hiring them to make corporate-wide changes in the hiring and training of new employees who are deaf or hearing impaired. But in June 2001, Wal-Mart failed to carry on with their words of the original court order and therefore was fined $750,200 for it.

Overseas prison labor arising from questionable suppliers
Wal-Mart has long been criticised for not providing adequate supervision for its overseas suppliers and has been charged for using prison labor and sweatshops. Despite the seeming strict global sourcing standards,legal violations and non-compliance of