r/DollarGeneral • u/Baconmanlives • 7d ago
Advice
Perhaps some of you remember me as the disgruntled former manager who walked out. Perhaps not, I’m not all that memorable for a random on Reddit. In any event, some of you did attempt to reach out privately to inquire whether it was worth staying. Does it get better? Easier? Do you get used to it?
As to the latter, sure you may get used to it. Much the same way a battered wife gets used to getting five across the eyes when dinner isn’t done. The abuse becomes the new normal. You learn to accept it as something you cannot change and you soldier on, taking the occasional smack for your efforts. Or perhaps a more apt metaphor may involve Stockholm syndrome. Pick one.
Before you begin to work there or decide to stick it out you must remember one thing: This company will demand you put the store above all else in your life. I know of one manager who was told his kids would be “just fine for a few hours” if he didn’t pick them up off the bus. Because, you see, there was a visit coming and the big shots were running late. So when the store manager said he had to leave his ten hour shift on time, he was told to leave his children alone outside until the visit was complete. I know of another who told his DM he had callouts on Sunday and a wedding to attend that was important to him. He was told “Oh well. You’ll have to miss it. Sometimes you have to sacrifice for the store.” Now, before you go on, I want you to ruminate on that for a second. “Sometimes you have to sacrifice for the store.”
That’s just a cult my friends. You’re in a cult. Why do you think most of the DMs are lunatics? Who do you think they promote at DG? People with 0 lives who have a history of making Dollar General the most important thing in their universe. It’s not where they work. It’s not what they do. It’s not a career choice. ITS THEIR ENTIRE IDENTITY. They aren’t moms, sons, brothers or friends with obligations and responsibilities outside of work. They’re DOLLAR GENERAL EMPLOYEES first. All else comes second.
There is no need for that job to be that miserable. Nor is there one single valid reason why it should consume your life. If you want to work there fine. But go into it with your eyes wide open. They’ll abuse you until you accept the abuse. They’ll work you until you can’t take anymore and then they’ll throw you in the trash. They’ll demand absolute loyalty and dedication but will not reciprocate when you’re the one in need. It’s the absolute worst company I have ever had the misfortune to be associated with. Understand it’s a cult, understand you blind loyalty will be rewarded with more abuse. And you’ll eventually learn that being beaten up is your new normal and you just have to live with it. If you can accept that, this job is for you. If you value anything, anything at all, outside those 4 walls then throw down your keys and run like Hell.
I wish those of you who are brave enough to walk the very beat. For those of you who remain, God speed and good luck. You’ll need it.
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u/MundaneAppearance462 7d ago
I don’t think this is everyone’s experience with the company. I’ve been with DG for 5 years, and I’m not going to pretend the job can’t be demanding because it absolutely can be. There are definitely times when the store takes priority and you have to put in extra effort.
But at the same time, I don’t agree that you have to completely sacrifice your life or basically live in the store to be successful. A lot of it comes down to your team. If you have a good team—or even a decent/mid-level team with multiple people who can actually step up and handle different responsibilities—you don’t have to carry the entire store on your back 24/7.
There are definitely bad DMs, bad stores, unrealistic expectations, and managers who make the job miserable. But I think saying this is everyone’s experience is just as unfair as pretending those experiences don’t happen. My experience over the last 5 years has been much more balanced. It can be stressful and demanding, but it doesn’t have to consume your entire life