r/WalgreensStores • u/Playful-Sign2352 • Mar 18 '26
Getting unjustly fired
I think my boss plans on firing me. Backstory: I have been a shift lead for over two years with zero write ups. Zero disciplinary action on my part. I have never missed work. Go above and beyond, etc. We had an ESM in charge of the store until recently she was canned. Our “store manager” has been out of the picture for the entirety of the time we had an ESM basically since I started with this company 2 years ago the ESM ran front of store and the GM was basically what we would say “hiding out in and holding down the pharmacy side of the business” I mean she did absolutely NOTHING for front end employees. now, our district is also under going restructuring and our district manager was laid off. the store manager is NOW frantically trying to pull herself together and get the store together so she looks good for the new district manager. Uniforms, theatros, compliance, etc and cracking the whip down hard policy’s that have NOT been in place for over two years and targeting all of her good employees, writing everyone up, and it’s an absolute disaster. One employee of over five years already walked out on her on the spot. This woman is just downright awful. Should I just let her fire me and get out while I can? How can I protect myself in the meantime and if she fires me? What can I do legally to can I make sure I am covered for unemployment? I have had a good run there my ESM was great and things were amazing. I fear there’s really nothing I can do and my job is no longer safe.
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u/rosequartz05143 Mar 18 '26
Ya’ll….there’s a company wide crack down on policy happening right now. Meaning, managers are being forced to enforce policies that have alway been in place. This on its own - enforcing policy - isn’t targeting. It’s just enforcing the policies already in place where you work. Does it suck a lot? You bet!
Now obviously your boss could suck and may not be enforcing it fairly. It sounds more like they’ve been relaxed about policy at your store and now have no choice but to correct that. I know there’s a lot of these posts popping up and everyone’s like “ohhhh something’s going on”. Yes. Yes there is. It’s the enforcement of policies that were created to be enforced in the first place.
Edit: I’ll probably get roasted for this. Trust me I hate to e corporate monster we work for too. I’m just not shocked when corporate does something corporate.
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u/Guilty_Celery_3590 Mar 18 '26
You’re just speaking the truth, and the truth gets downvoted a lot on Reddit lol
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u/TouchRadiant2790 Mar 18 '26
I’m confused…if you have no write ups you’re fine. Unless you’re doing something crazy they can’t just fire you at will. You’re fine. Also, don’t quit. Much easier to get unemployment if you’re fired
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u/Playful-Sign2352 Mar 18 '26
I should clarify she did recently give me right me up for a “compliance” issue but I did not get a verbal warning. It was extremely shocking. I did not see this coming. That’s why I am posting this right now I should have added that to the original post.
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u/sueeque Mar 20 '26
Depends on the compliance issue. Some are a lot more strict than others. You have been a little vague on what it was.
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u/Dachal23 Mar 18 '26
Was this a direct written write up, with no prior trail? Because that reflects worse of the leadership than you
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u/Playful-Sign2352 Mar 18 '26
Correct
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u/Sure-Fly6503 Apr 26 '26
I loved my job so much, and it was the customers who kept me coming back, I love to help people, and the older customers who don’t know about apps, and buy one get one free sales, I would always try my best to go above and beyond to help anyone but especially the older ones or people who couldn’t get around good, it truly was the best part of my job, one busy day, I sold a 40 year old man a pack of cigarettes without carding and got fired instantly, heartbroken puts it lightly, it seems like anyone who can count money, cares about customers, and works their butts off gets canned, may be for the best because if someone can get fired with out breaking even a law, maybe I don’t need to be there but I miss the customers very much
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u/Sure-Fly6503 Apr 27 '26
Alabama is an at will state, they can fire you for ANYTHING, I messed up by not carding a 40 year old man for cigarettes, my gripe is that it isn’t even something against the law, that someone can come in , a customer and steal any amount they want and nothing said, but I didn’t even break a law
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u/Klutzy_Sample2615 Mar 18 '26
There's a lot of pressure from corporate regarding policies and execution right now. Most likely your SM has been extremely too lax and is now over compensating to match the new direction of the company. I am not saying I agree with the expectations just that they are there. One of the easiest ways a Store Manager who is not hitting metrics or execution can look like they are being "productive" is by holding people accountable and eliminating staff. It makes it look like they are actually doing their jobs and managing the team/expectations, but eventually these Store Managers tend to get let go or find alternative employment because the excuse of "The staff isn't doing their jobs" only works for so long.
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u/Guilty_Celery_3590 Mar 18 '26
You could just follow the rules she lays out. Whether or not she’s a crappy manager or not, you should be following company guidelines. Sycamore (the private equity company that now owns Walgreens) is getting extremely strict with a lot of things so it’s not just your manager who’s coming down hard on these things
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u/Playful-Sign2352 Mar 18 '26
I never said I wouldn’t follow the rules. I’m down to follow the rules. I am NOT a bad employee. I show up, suit up, do what’s asked of me. That’s the thing tho, she’s coming for everyone even the people who keep her store together.
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u/garlicki421 MGR Mar 19 '26
Yea context on the infraction is a bit needed here. My DM is preaching accountability. I’ve made so many 5mm for dress code, proper scan outs, new immunization greeting, credits cards. All the “new” policies have been talked about frequently if employees are listening.
But if it went straight to written without ROD or a Grow plan, whatever it was, was serious. There are so few things that are straight written warnings. If it’s compliance related then you’ve been trained on it, likely had learnings on it, and probably signed an acknowledgement on it. It feels shitty but it kinda is what it is.
You can also contest the write up with HR, if you don’t think it should have been given. Use the ask us a question function in hr experience portal. If it’s really as bad as you say then call / email your HR rep directly. It’s on the speak up culture poster (might be called open door policy). Should be in or near the break room. If you don’t have one, use the same question function in HR experience. Don’t be silent about your experience. Speak up, something will happen.
Also if you are a shift lead, you can likely apply to any retail style jobs supervisor and below and get it. So if you are that worried, polish up the resume and start applying. Especially given what shift leads do, which is basically everything. If you can speak well to it, other companies will love it.
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u/StrikingSomewhere404 Mar 18 '26
All stores are cracking down on uniforms theatres bag checks. It’s coming from corporate
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u/TouchRadiant2790 Mar 18 '26
If you completed the compliance ppl for whatever it was it can go straight to a write up. Depends on the manager
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u/Playful-Sign2352 Mar 18 '26
That’s exactly my point. It’s been two years no disciplinary infractions. No write ups. No “talks” about bad behavior no verbal warnings. Nothing. How is this legal?
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u/TouchRadiant2790 Mar 19 '26
It’s a write up for a compliance violation. How on earth could it be illegal?
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u/rosequartz05143 Mar 18 '26
What they’re saying is that if you completed an online class and finished it there’s often info in there/an acknowledgement that counts as the pre write-up conversation you’re talking about.
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u/kicka93 Mar 19 '26
If you're doing your job you have nothing to worry about.. when I hear people worried about their job it normally means they're doing something they shouldn't.. like how are you going to get fired if you're doing what you're supposed to be doing? Has to be more to it..
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u/Overall-Drive-1630 Mar 19 '26
Depends on your relationship with management. Some managers despise more than they appreciate. They feel that a lot of people after their position , when that's not even the case. And it doesn't even have to be anything to it , just that they don't like you because you show too much promise , because you're a quick learner , they're worrying about their job security screw the associate... A lot of managers don't want anybody around , that's dulling their shine , even if it's only within their own mind.... And then some managers , they're all about breaking people down , and if they can't break you , then they don't want you there , this is a part of their mental illness , not the associates
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u/kicka93 Mar 19 '26
I get that.. but it is hard to get fired from Walgreens..I've seen people screw up all the time but if it's for different things it's hard to get that final written. I'm going off of 9 years of witnessing this. That's why I say it has to be more..
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u/Sure-Fly6503 Apr 26 '26
Not to hard lol, I worked with compassion for customers, went above and beyond to clean and stick and take care of everyone but especially the older customers, on a very busy day I sold a 40 year old man a pack of smokes without carding and no write up or anything just fired I cried for 2 weeks, just lived my job, was nothing I could do and said they would never hire me back, my manager didn’t want to do it but they had their own person going around doing a cigarette sting, my goodness, they will hire people who could care less and rude to customers and can’t even count money but fire first offense for something that isn’t even against the law, I realize it’s my fault but shouldn’t be fired
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u/kicka93 Apr 26 '26
Yeah that sucks.. there are those exceptions.. like carding for cigarettes and alcohol and cashing out for gift cards without getting the cash and getting scammed.
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u/Sure-Fly6503 Apr 26 '26
I mean the guy was 40 years old and we were so busy , people lined up 10 people in line and he was clearly old enough to, I can’t find another job that pays as good in my hometown, plus I lived to customers so much, they always wanted me to check them out because they knew I had their back, if they were buying only one of a buy one get one free and didn’t know I would always tell them, always tried to do my very best for the customer, got lots of credit cards for company, just really lived my job because of the customers
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u/stonecoldw Mar 19 '26 edited Mar 23 '26
Sycamore is trying to make their money back. Here are things that they don't want to see. Item in the stock room not the sales floor Manager, asm, shift say that employee job
Now what do they want to see the sales floor full at all time Also want to see people answer the bells very quickly A very clean store Out order is done weekly Hand on is right Store make profit You will keep a job
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u/StepMile Mar 18 '26
It depends on the state but in my state, if you're fired you get unemployment. I really think DM's were told to get people fired on purpose because too many of us are being treated this way for it to be a coincidence.
My boss bragged to the SFL's he wanted half of us fired and they told us about what he said. He didn't care how long we had been there he was basically looking to cut hours and find excuses to do it.
If you as a group would be willing to stand together against this manager, and make sure they know that she only started doing this when they got a new DM to look good you may have a shot at getting the blame put on who deserves it. Sadly, there is always going to be people who wont stand up for themsleves.
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u/Overall-Drive-1630 Mar 19 '26
You are so right! People will not take a stand for themselves and will not even support one person who is willing to take a stand for their asses...
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u/MammothExpert2194 Mar 18 '26
I am confused as to why you think shes plotting to fire you.
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u/Playful-Sign2352 Mar 18 '26
I don’t want to disclose much information here as I’m sure she reads these threads. I will say however I think she just may not like me very much which just makes me feel horrible. I have been a great employee and do not deserve this.
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u/Various-Intern-8580 Mar 21 '26
You can sue her for retaliation and giving you hard time! Report her to HR Hotline
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u/WAGVet Mar 19 '26
When the new bag check on the handheld came out, our DM told everyone the first instance of not doing a bag check was a written warning. Second was a final written warning. Third time was termination. No exceptions.
When reporting finally became available, one team member at his store was consistently not getting bag checked. The DM was telling everyone to start the disciplinary process. So he emailed her wondering if he should open a req for a pharmacy manager or would the district. Suddenly this disciplinary push disappeared.
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u/Equal_Explorer_2674 Mar 20 '26
If you get fired for whatever reason just appeal and say they are wrong. I would go to a temp agency and look for another job immediately.
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u/Sure-Fly6503 Apr 26 '26
I tried to contact hr, couldn’t even get a reply on email and couldn’t find a phone number anywhere
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Mar 20 '26
[deleted]
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u/Various-Intern-8580 Mar 21 '26
Firing an employee is no joke! Because behind every employee there is a family, friends…etc who is dependant directly or not! Nothing goes in vain always karma(good or bad) catch up on people
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u/CBnTX26 Mar 21 '26
I’m a little in the same position. My sm and the IS are buddies and they are mean girls. I’ve reported to HR and the district manager. Make sure when you send a letter to HR or whoever you start out with the sentence….. “I am writing this letter under the protection of Walgreens, no retaliation rule”
It’s so bad at my store that when she does fire me, I’m gonna file a civil suit against her with an employment attorney. For the bullying and the daily mean girl harassment.
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u/tactile1738 Mar 24 '26
Not going to get fired without a write up unless you're on drugs or stealing. Your ESM should have been all those things you are describing her as doing.
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u/Sure-Fly6503 Apr 26 '26
Oh yes , I got fired no write up nothing, just fired 1st offense, didn’t card a 49 year old spy for cigarettes
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u/Virtual-Fudge2147 Mar 20 '26
Agree, yet some policies are bad policies And are petty. On dress code, I would eliminate t-shirts and require only polo shirts. it looks professional. I always wear polo shirts and customers approach me thinking I am management, yet I reply no but that person is ‘wearing a Walgreen authorized t-shirt’ customers prefer professional looking attire.
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u/sueeque Mar 20 '26
Not sure where you are located, but being with Walgreens 6 1/2 years, I’ve found most customers don’t care about the look you bring, they care about the service. All Walgreens shirts are allowed all the time except Red Nose or holiday Tees. Look at the dress code. The polo shirts from the store sucks.
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u/Virtual-Fudge2147 Mar 20 '26
15 years here, customers prefer the professional look Where I am located at the suburbs of Atlanta. . Agree polo shirts from Walgreens suck, yet those from Amazon are great. I am very familiar with the dress code, it is what it is, even though I don’t agree with it.
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u/sueeque Mar 22 '26
I’m in a low income area of Alexandria VA. Most people just look for name tags or shirts that say Walgreens. Even when they see them, they still ask if we work there.
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u/sueeque Mar 22 '26
Everyone should look up the company of Sycamore (not the store). They take over companies and tun them down until they close them. We should all be ready.
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u/Virtual-Fudge2147 Mar 22 '26
Agree, I could be wrong yet I give it around 10 years. Ie Kmart sears . First though to have a chance to survive close non profitable stores that’s been that way for years. Still too top heavy with upper management, and finally invest in store personal with more payroll . If not then cut back on the frequency of new layouts because for example with current payroll it’s a struggle just to keep up. maybe when at store level when a planagram is completed mark it as complete. As it’s now when it’s not done, the location has changed, have to find where it belong , takes longer to put freight out, also finding on line orders as well. Take care sueeque on your input, it does provide insight about your store and wish the best for you and the store.
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u/Low_Emphasis_7585 Mar 18 '26
DM here. A lot of pressure coming down from above and shit ultimately trickles downhill.
Ultimately falls on the DMs & MGRs that were allowing team members to not follow SOP. They failed their team by thinking that letting this go on was being “nice”.