How to Quit Walmart: Step-by-Step Resignation Guide

You can quit Walmart at any time. There is no contract holding you there, no mandatory notice period required by law, and no penalty for walking away. That said, how you leave determines whether you can come back, how quickly you get your last paycheck, and whether your PTO gets cashed out.

This guide walks you through the entire process using Walmart’s actual systems, from submitting your resignation on OneWalmart to collecting your final pay.

How to Submit Your Resignation Through OneWalmart

The official way to resign is through Walmart’s HR system. You can do it digitally or in person, but the digital route creates a paper trail, which matters if there’s ever a dispute about your last day.

1. Log into OneWalmart at one.walmart.com using your WIN (Walmart Identification Number) and password. You will need 2-Step Verification if you are logging in from outside the store.
2. Navigate to Me > My Time > Leave of Absence/Resignation (the exact menu path can shift with system updates, so look for anything labeled “Separation” or “Resignation” if the path has changed).
3. Select your reason for leaving. Common options include “personal reasons,” “new employment,” or “relocation.” Your selection does not affect your final pay, but it does go into your file for rehire review.
4. Enter your intended last day. Two weeks from today is the standard expectation, though it is not legally required.
5. Confirm and submit. You should see a confirmation screen. Screenshot it.

If you cannot access OneWalmart (the 2SV lockout is a common problem for people who never set up two-step verification while still employed), walk into your store and tell your People Lead or direct manager in person. Ask them to process the resignation in the system while you are standing there. Get written confirmation, even if it is just a text message acknowledging your last day.

Do You Need to Give Two Weeks’ Notice?

Legally, no. Walmart is an at-will employer in every state it operates. You can quit today with zero notice.

But here is the practical reality. Walmart tracks whether you gave at least two weeks’ notice, and that information lives in your associate file permanently. If you ever want to come back, a no-notice resignation gets flagged during the rehire screening. Some People Leads will code you as “not eligible for rehire” based on that alone.

Two weeks’ notice also protects your PTO payout. Walmart’s policy generally requires that you work through your notice period to receive any accrued, unused PTO in your final check. Walk out today, and your store may deny the payout (though state law can override this in places like California, Colorado, and Montana, where earned PTO is considered wages).

What Happens to Your Attendance Points When You Quit

Walmart’s points-based attendance system does not pause because you put in your notice. You can still accumulate points during your final two weeks. Hit 5 points in a rolling 6-month window, and you will be terminated before your resignation date, which changes your separation status from “voluntary quit” to “involuntary termination.”

This matters more than most people realize. A termination on your record is different from a resignation, and it can affect rehire eligibility and even unemployment benefits in some states. So if you are sitting at 4 or 4.5 points when you decide to quit, be careful about calling out during your notice period.

If you have Protected PTO (PPTO) remaining, use it to cover any absences during your notice. PPTO removes the attendance point for that shift, and it will be paid out either way.

Your Final Paycheck and PTO Payout

Your final paycheck follows the normal pay schedule. Walmart pays biweekly, so your last check will arrive on the next regular payday after your final shift. There is no special expedited process for quitting employees.

PTO payout depends on your state and how you left:

• States that require PTO payout (California, Colorado, Illinois, Montana, Nebraska, and others): Walmart must pay your accrued PTO regardless of how you quit. This is treated as earned wages under state law.
• States with no payout requirement: Walmart follows its internal policy, which generally pays out accrued PTO only if you gave proper notice and worked through it.
• PPTO: Any remaining Protected PTO balance is paid out in your final check in most situations.

For details on final paycheck timing by state, check the Walmart final paycheck laws page.

Your final paycheck will be direct deposited if you had direct deposit set up. If not, a paper check will be mailed to the address on file, or you can pick it up at the store. Make sure your address is current on OneWalmart before you leave, especially if you are moving.

What Happens to Your Benefits After You Leave

Your health insurance, dental, and vision coverage end on the last day of the month in which you quit. If you resign on March 3, you are covered through March 31. If you resign on March 31, your coverage ends that same day.

After coverage ends, you will receive a COBRA notice in the mail within 14 days. COBRA lets you continue your same health plan for up to 18 months, but you pay the full premium plus a 2% admin fee. For most former Walmart associates, this runs between $400 and $700 per month for individual coverage.

Your 401(k) stays where it is. Walmart will not close your account or force you to move the money. You can leave it in the plan, roll it into a new employer’s 401(k), or transfer it to a personal IRA. There is no deadline to decide, though Walmart may auto-cash accounts under $1,000 after 60 days. More on this at what happens to your 401k when you quit.

Your employee discount card is deactivated on your last day. Using it after your employment ends is considered theft. If you earned the lifetime discount (20+ years continuous service, or age 55+ with 15+ years), your card stays active. Everyone else turns it in or destroys it.

For a full breakdown, see Walmart benefits after termination.

Rehire Eligibility: Can You Come Back?

Walmart has a rehire waiting period that depends on how you left:

• Resigned with notice, good standing: Eligible to reapply immediately with no waiting period.
• Resigned without notice: Typically a 6-month waiting period, though individual stores have some discretion.
• Terminated for attendance points: Usually a 6-month wait. Some districts require 12 months for gross misconduct (theft, violence, no-call/no-show patterns).
• Terminated for policy violations: Case-by-case. Serious violations like theft can result in a permanent “do not rehire” flag.

Your rehire eligibility code is stored in Walmart’s system. When you reapply, the People Lead at the new (or same) store can see it. You cannot see your own code, but you can ask your People Lead before leaving to confirm what they plan to enter.

Return Your Equipment and Badge

Before your last shift, return your name badge, vest, box cutter, and any other store-issued equipment. Some stores also want your discount card back, though most just deactivate it digitally.

If you have access to the Me@Walmart app, it will stop working within 24 to 48 hours after your termination date is processed. OneWalmart access gets cut off at the same time. If you need pay stubs or tax documents after leaving, use MyTaxForm.com with employer code 10108 for W-2s, or access the Walmart Alumni Portal for other records.

The Exit Checklist

Before you walk out for the last time, make sure you have handled these:

1. Screenshot or download your last 3 pay stubs from OneWalmart (you will lose access).
2. Confirm your mailing address is correct in the system (for your final check and W-2).
3. Use or account for remaining PPTO and PTO.
4. Return your badge, vest, and equipment.
5. Ask your People Lead to confirm your rehire eligibility code.
6. Note down the HR help desk number: 1-800-421-1362 for post-employment payroll questions.
7. Check whether your state requires PTO payout. If it does and Walmart does not include it, you have a wage claim.

Quitting a job is never a complicated legal situation at Walmart. It is an at-will employer. But the details around PTO, points, benefits cutoff dates, and rehire codes are where people get tripped up. Handle those before your last day, and you will leave cleanly.

For more Walmart employee resources, visit the Walmart employee hub.