#9. Wal-Mart Stores
Taking advantage of its workers.
It wouldn't be a most-hated list without Wal-Mart, the retailer that's synonymous with giant stores, low prices, killing off mom-and-pop stores and worker grievances.The company has paid hundreds of millions of dollars over the years to settle suits alleging it locked workers inside stores, forced them to work through breaks and worse.
Yet those payouts could pale next to a class action suit claiming the company discriminated against women on pay and promotions. The company has said it does not think the claims made "are representative of the experiences" of its female workers. But lawyers say damages could run into the billions of dollars. Given the company's track record, who would even bat an eye?
Last updated July 02 2010: 11:38 AM ET
