In October 2005, the New York Times published story detailing a Wal -Mart internal memo that outline various proposals for reducing health care costs paid for Wal-Mart employees. The memo recommended two major areas for action : increase reliance on part time workers who do not quality for health care benefits ,and seek ways to encourage healthier and discourage unhealthy job applicants and employees. The memo also acknowledged long-standing criticism of Wal-Mart's treatment of its employees and offered suggestions for a public relations strategy that would deflect criticism of these proposed change.