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  • Report:  #536805

Complaint Review: Walgreens (Janet Johnson)

Walgreens ,Janet Johnson Unfair, Inconsitent, discrimination Smyrna, Delaware

  • Reported By:
    Riki — townsend Delaware USA
  • Submitted:
    Thu, December 10, 2009
  • Updated:
    Tue, January 24, 2012
  • Walgreens (Janet Johnson)
    700 Jimmy Drive
    Smyrna, Delaware
    United States of America
  • Phone:
    3026538528
  • Category:

I ride my bike to work. it's about an hour long ride one way. I got to work at 2:58pm on December 9th. I park my bike in the photo lab where i work and i turn around and the store manager is there. before she even greets me with a hello she starts on me right away about my earrings.



I have had gauges in my ears for YEARS and i've had them since i started with the company back in April of 08. I've gone up a few sizes as well and no one has EVER said anything to me about them. I've even shaken hands with corporate staff and greeted with my gauges and they've been nothing but nice.



Well the manager comes up to me and says "you know you can't wear those right? you've got extra earrings right?" and i just stare at her completely taken aback by her random questioning. I try to explain that i JUST put it in and i only need 24 hours before i can place a normal gauge in it rather than the tapered spike used to enlarge the hole. She cuts me off and says "to the office...now!"


so we make our way to the office. I'm now sweating from the bike ride and very irritable.

She closes the door and send the SIMs out of the office for us to 'talk' (AKA she talks and i stutter and struggle to get a word in) After she was done telling me the same thing she already stated on the sales floor i begin again to explain my side. 



"I had huge gawdy glass spirals in my ears when i firs-----" (cut me off)

"Janet, can i pleas-----" (cut me off)

*crosses arms and lets her talk... she never says anything more than what was already said*



Every attempt at trying to explain myself she cut me off and told me it was irrelevant. I was in trouble about a month before that for my Septum piercing. There are at LEAST 3 other girls there with a nose ring and one traveling pharmacy tech that comes in with a huge lip ring and i was told to go home or take it out. 



When our argument was finally done she told me to go home. don't come back and she'll be talking to Skip, our district LP. i said "good. i'll be speaking with him and employee relations. you're inconsistent and unfair in your discipline and how you run your store" and then left. im still waiting for both people to call me back. 



I've done my research and found nothing on piercings. they're subtle and not gawdy... nor do they stand out and i flip my septum up into my nose so you don't see it... even though there are other ppl there with a nose ring. 



I've even talked to some Ex corporate ppl and they've told me to fight it. 



I can't be all that bad of an employee. i feel i've established myself very well within the company as a good team player... proof in the attached picture. Walgreen's World magazine



I've got two things to go on when i fight it. 

- "Lifestyle diversities"

- unfair inconsistent workplace



the company itself isn't too bad... it's the management and the lack of proper training that makes your life working for Walgreens a miserable living hell.

10 Updates & Rebuttals


Riki

townsend,
Delaware,
USA

UPDATE!

#11Author of original report

Tue, January 24, 2012

I found out later on that the manager in question was given the "voluntarily step down, or be terminated"

She's now stocking shelves (or retired). I'm still upset that I've got a "policy violation" on my record for Walgreens, but happy that SOMETHING was done with this ridiculous manager.

I violated no policies. Piercings weren't in the policy and are STILL not in the policy.


zappo

beverly hills,
California,
United States of America

May I Suggest

#11Consumer Comment

Mon, February 01, 2010

I too am familar with the "Unfair Treatment of Walgreens Employees".  They are ridiculous and we have boycotted them within our group of family and friends.  The unfair and outrageous treatment of our loved one made in a corporate environment by some looney tune was accepted as truth "WITHOUT an ounce of truth".  We are seeing an attorney.  I was amazed when I started reading how WIDE SPREAD the unfair treatment to the Walgreens employees.

I would suggest going to the EEOC, we did, the web-site lists questions, you answer them, they will advise you if you have grounds.  The EEOC is for the employee rights and if Walgreens has violated them, which it sure sounds as though they did.  I suggest you file a complaint with the EEOC. 

Good Luck to you.  All I can say is a better job (Which will be anywhere but Walgreens) awaits you.  Removed from the Walgreens environment will provide a much healthier working enviroment.

 


ErikaRussell815

United States of America

Also let go from Walgreen's for an illegitimate reason

#11UPDATE EX-employee responds

Fri, January 08, 2010

I was hired at Walgreen's in Newark Delaware in November of 2007. I worked very hard through the

holidays & into the new year. In May of 2008 my Dad was diagnosed with lung cancer. I went into 
work the day after I found out about his illness, only to realize that I should have taken the day 
off to deal with the news. I spoke to the manager (His name was Dave. Him & I had had some
issues before this.) and he told me that I needed to stay. So I asked him if I could empty totes
instead of working at the register  & he said that I was too slow emptying totes. In turn, I got really
upset & began to cry. He proceeded to call me a cry baby, told me to go home & not to come back
to work.


Riki

townsend,
Delaware,
USA

Retailiation to Walgreens

#11Author of original report

Sun, January 03, 2010

I'm all for trying to fix things... however, the 'higher-ups' will never take us seriously and instead just judge us on the "retaliation" factor. They'll claim that we're being 'sore losers' or something of that nature.

It would have to be done through professional means and not just a bunch of letters to our state or county/town government people.

If Walgreen's has gotten away with "murder" before and nothing was done... what makes you think they won't get away with it again.

At the very least... hypothetical situation:

We go to court, sue Walgreens for poor treatment to employees and we win... they're only paying us off bc they can... they make enough money that they'll pay us and leave us thinking we've won... it's happened before.

I'd love to contact our local congress and complain, but they've got more pressing things to deal with than to mess with a million/billion dollar company that could squash most competition... Walgreen's will do anything and everythign they can to keep in the lime light... and if that means APPEARING to care then... they'll do what needs to be done...

If you decide to do something, there needs to be court proceedings and/or documentation of any/all people willing to sign a petition or waver stating Walgreens has unfairly terminated or treated them...

It's a crazy amount of work to do and EVERYONE needs to be in on it or you'd get no where... fast. 

I'm not willing to pay court fees or i'd have fought harder... i can't afford to pay court fees.

i couldn't even buy christmas presents for ANYONE this year because I was fired before christmas and my last paycheck was less than $200. I'm also inable to find another job in Delaware now because of that manager... so it'll be a long time before i CAN afford to fight further.

anyone has a better or easier and less costly way of fixing this... i'd be glad to know.


Daniel

Fort Wayne,
Indiana,
USA

This is the way Walgreens has been since 2002

#11UPDATE EX-employee responds

Fri, January 01, 2010

This has been what they have been operating under since 2002 when David BONEHEAD Brenner was running the ship. (MOREOVER, PS: I HAVE EVERY RIGHT NOT TO SPELL THAT MANS NAME CORRECTLY BECAUSE HE DID NOT RESPECT EMPLOYEES) IN ADDITION, KEEP GOING BY JEFF REIN and WHATEVER THAT GUY IS NOW RUNNING THE STORE. Here is the list of ILLS by this company.

- Not Caring About Employees (Firing great employees like you and me [I was a photo lab specialist from August 2001-November 2002 and from March 2005-December 2005, in between I was the Photo Lab Specialist IN NAME ONLY, because of the store manager] and promoting bad employees who used racial slurs and foul language in their store to talk about customers [SAME STORE MANAGER], hiring teenagers who two weeks after joining, boom GONE AND EVERY WOMAN in the STORE GETTING KNOCKED UP and going on leave for 12 weeks)

- Having an INANE policy of a photo lab specialist Protecting $100K worth of eyeliner, lipstick and make-up rather than developing one role a film for a customer.

- LAWSUITS by the EEOC and the Federal Government for their handling of minority managers and for milking money out of Medicare.

- File a lawsuit against a town because they were not allowed to build in that town and wanted to circumvent the rules and laws of that town.

- Numerous lawsuits on giving wrong medication

- Then when you go to tell your experience, you will be attack by the Walgreens Lovers and Supporters on the Yahoo Message Board. Moreover, if you post your experience on the YAHOO Message Board Then Yahoo decides to delete.

While your personal address and phone number is still on the board posted by the Walgreen's Lovers and Supporters You can post numerous complaints about them on any web site The People in DEERFIELD, ILLINOIS do not care about customer and employees they only care about money. They only care about how to rip-off the customer and the almighty dollar.

Maybe it is time that we band together start telling our friends not to shop at Walgreen's, start-writing letters to all of the companies that supply Walgreen's with their stuff and tell them about the way Walgreen's treat their employees and customers. Then start telling Congressman and Senators about this both at the state and federal levels

Lets get the media involved and lets file complaints with the State AGs and Federal Trade Commission, the EEOC, start writing mass letters to the editor and publish them in the newspapers. Let us push the unions to try to unionize WALGREENS first because they need a union more than say like Wal-Mart or CVS or Mejier. Push any company we work for not to include Walgreen's in their medical plan and also encourage companies to hire Walgreen's Employees that are good (Hey, Walgreen's is trying to steal employees from other companies) This has gone on for 6 years WAY TOO MANY

It is time we screw Walgreen's and we need to start speaking with our pocketbooks, with our voice and with our feet.


Daniel

Fort Wayne,
Indiana,
USA

This is the Way that Walgreens has Operated since 2002

#11UPDATE EX-employee responds

Thu, December 31, 2009

This has been what they have been operating under since 2002 when David BONEHEAD Bruenner was running the ship. (MOREOVER, PS: I HAVE EVERY RIGHT NOT TO SPELL THAT MANS NAME CORRECTLY BECAUSE HE DID NOT RESPECT EMPLOYEES) IN ADDITION, KEEP GOING BY JEFF REIN and WHATEVER THAT GUY IS NOW RUNNING THE STORE. Here is the list of ILLS by this company.

- Not Caring About Employees (Firing great employees like you and me [I was a photo lab specialist from August 2001-November 2002 and from March 2005-December 2005, in between I was the Photo Lab Specialist IN NAME ONLY, because of the store manager] and promoting bad employees who used racial slurs and foul language in their store to talk about customers [SAME STORE MANAGER], hiring teenagers who two weeks after joining, boom GONE AND EVERY WOMAN in the STORE GETTING KNOCKED UP and going on leave for 12 weeks)

- Having an INANE policy of a photo lab specialist Protecting $100K worth of eyeliner, lipstick and make-up rather than developing one role a film for a customer.

 - LAWSUITS by the EEOC and the Federal Government for their handling of minority managers and for milking money out of Medicare.

- File a lawsuit against a town because they were not allowed to build in that town and wanted to circumvent the rules and laws of that town.

- Numerous lawsuits on giving wrong medication

- Then when you go to tell your experience, you will be attack by the Walgreens Lovers and Supporters on the Yahoo Message Board. Moreover, if you post your experience on the YAHOO Message Board Then Yahoo decides to delete. While your personal address and phone number is still on the board posted by the Walgreens Lovers and Supporters You can post numerous complaints about them on any web site

The People in DEERFIELD, ILLINOIS do not care about customer and employees they only care about money. They only care about how to rip-off the customer and the almighty dollar.

Maybe it is time that we band together start telling our friends not to shop at Walgreens, start-writing letters to all of the companies that supply Walgreens with their stuff and tell them about the way Walgreens treat their employees and customers. Then start telling Congressman and Senators about this both at the state and federal levels Lets get the media involved and lets file complaints with the State AGs and Federal Trade Commission, the EEOC, start writing mass letters to the editor and publish them in the newspapers. Let us push the unions to try to unionize WALGREENS first because they need a union more than say like Wal-Mart or CVS or Meijer. Push any company we work for not to include Walgreens in their medical plan and also encourage companies to hire Walgreens Employees that are good (Hey, Walgreens is trying to steal employees from other companies)

This has gone on for 6 years WAY TOO MANY It is time we screw Walgreens and we need to start speaking with our pocketbooks, with our voice and with our feet.


Riki

townsend,
Delaware,
USA

More to say

#11Author of original report

Fri, December 11, 2009

as for parking my bike behind the photo counter, It's a detached photo lab. it's hidden in a little corner and cannot be seen by customers and it's just me working the lab so it's out of the way. there's no bike rack outside the store and we're butted up against an old motel. The people there are KNOW bike thieves so i'm not about to lose my only form of transportation.


As for the hole in my ear being bigger...
My left hole has been at a 1/2" size hole since my start with Walgreens and my right ear was always significantly larger. I finally got the jewelry for sizing it bigger and evening it out and up until the past few weeks it was NEVER an issue with anyone whether it be a fellow associate or a customer. 

I can use the "lifestyle diversity" section under the Walgreen's information as a discriminatory factor, however when i brought this up to not only Employee Relations but also our DM that was doing the investigation, they shrugged it aside. 

The manager eventually called me back around 4:30 or 5:00p that evening and told me "As of today you're terminated." No reasons, no questions, nothing and she was very smug and peppy... It was all wrong and nothing that was done on her part was professional leading up to the final termination. 

She told the DM that i was cussing at her and being insubordinate and verbally abusive and i was NONE of these. The ONLY thing said that could count as cussing or verbal abuse was when she told me to go home and not come back during the initial "conversation" I stated "This is bullshit and i'll be calling DM and Employee Relations about the unfair and inconsistent treatment here" and i left to make my phone calls. I don't know what she told them but she has them thinking i exploded on her.

I left nothing out and have no reason to leave anything out. I feel i behaved very well for the treatment and down-talk i received during our "conversation" and my entire employment under said manager. 

Looking at my disciplinary record i was perfect until i came to that store. 

I feel that it became personal with her and that there could have been more for me to do, but i'm out of options at the moment and I'm currently reading at $0 to my name and still have rent to pay...

Makes me wonder why Delaware has so many homeless or unemployed people...


Robert

Irvine,
California,
U.S.A.

At Will..

#11Consumer Comment

Fri, December 11, 2009

Delaware is an At-Will employment state.  This basically means that they can fire you for any reason and at any time, as long as they do not violate discrimination laws.  So even if standards on piercings is not in the manual, that is not something I believe is covered under any Discrimination laws.  So unfair..possibly, but there is also probably nothing you can do about it.


I do see a possible issue and reason as to why you think you were singled out.  On this day you said...


try to explain that i JUST put it in and i only need 24 hours before i can place a normal gauge in it rather than the tapered spike used to enlarge the hole.


So this sounds like it was larger and more noticeable, perhaps even a spike compared to a regular ring.  This along with getting into an argument could have sealed your fate.  Perhaps if you had waited to do that until you had a couple of days off, nothing would have come of this issue, as you would have had the "normal" gauge back.


Unless you left more out, I would say you are very lucky in one part.  Keeping your bike behind the counter.  Most retail places do not like having employees personal property on the sales floor or where a customer may see it.  So if they let you do that without questioning, that is not a normal item.


Inspector

Tobyhanna,
Pennsylvania,
USA

Did they provide you a copy of the dress code when you were hired?

#11Consumer Suggestion

Fri, December 11, 2009

If not, you must get a copy.  But, they probably cited something else for the reason of termination.  If they did not and you were fired for the dress code violation then, you have a case against them if the dress code does not mention piercings as an infraction.


Either way, sue them for wrongful termination, assuming you did not violate any other labor agreement.

 


Riki

townsend,
Delaware,
USA

Update

#11Author of original report

Thu, December 10, 2009

Original Report:

I ride my bike to work. it's about an hour long ride one way. I got to work at 2:58pm on December 9th. I park my bike in the photo lab where i work and i turn around and the store manager is there. before she even greets me with a hello she starts on me right away about my earrings. I have had gauges in my ears for YEARS and i've had them since i started with the company back in April of 08. I've gone up a few sizes as well and no one has EVER said anything to me about them. I've even shaken hands with corporate staff and greeted with my gauges and they've been nothing but nice. Well the manager comes up to me and says "you know you can't wear those right? you've got extra earrings right?" and i just stare at her completely taken aback by her random questioning. I try to explain that i JUST put it in and i only need 24 hours before i can place a normal gauge in it rather than the tapered spike used to enlarge the hole. She cuts me off and says "to the office...now!" so we make our way to the office. I'm now sweating from the bike ride and very irritable. She closes the door and send the SIMs out of the office for us to 'talk' (AKA she talks and i stutter and struggle to get a word in) After she was done telling me the same thing she already stated on the sales floor i begin again to explain my side.  "I had huge gawdy glass spirals in my ears when i firs-----" (cut me off) "Janet, can i pleas-----" (cut me off) *crosses arms and lets her talk... she never says anything more than what was already said* Every attempt at trying to explain myself she cut me off and told me it was irrelevant. I was in trouble about a month before that for my Septum piercing. There are at LEAST 3 other girls there with a nose ring and one traveling pharmacy tech that comes in with a huge lip ring and i was told to go home or take it out.  When our argument was finally done she told me to go home. don't come back and she'll be talking to Skip, our district LP. i said "good. i'll be speaking with him and employee relations. you're inconsistent and unfair in your discipline and how you run your store" and then left. im still waiting for both people to call me back.  I've done my research and found nothing on piercings. they're subtle and not gawdy... nor do they stand out and i flip my septum up into my nose so you don't see it... even though there are other ppl there with a nose ring.  I've even talked to some Ex corporate ppl and they've told me to fight it.  I can't be all that bad of an employee. i feel i've established myself very well within the company as a good team player... proof in the attached picture. Walgreen's World magazine I've got two things to go on when i fight it.  - "Lifestyle diversities" - unfair inconsistent workplace the company itself isn't too bad... it's the management and the lack of proper training that makes your life working for Walgreens a miserable living hell.
I am now fired as of 4:55pm on December 10th. The Employee Relations and Corporate did nothing to help and i'm not unemployed and quite possibly unable to get anything from unemployment. 

Something has to be done. This is ridiculous! 

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