Highly unprofessional work environment - Photo Specialist Walgreens Employee Review

1.0
Oct 14, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

I once had a great Manager and EXA. They got their own stores and moved. They were consistent, reliable and highly professional that took time to actually train people how to learn and grow within their positions. Constructive criticism was always aimed to help, not hurt and encouragement was given to those who tried and put effort into the job.

Cons

You never know what you are going to get with Walgreens Management. A new "Manager" came to the store and employees dropped out like flies. Myself and others experienced getting chewed out in front of and within earshot of customers on a regular basis by "management". The whole purpose in this "manager's" philosophy was to demean her employees until they complied to her frequent nonsense and kissed up to her - even if it was a rule against Walgreens policy. So everyone was breaking Walgreens policies left and right. The "Manager" would call employees into her office on a regular basis to chew them out. On the way to the office people would joke that the particular employee that was summoned over the PA was in trouble - even some of the regular shoppers knew of this and would joke too. She would delve into these "psychological" tirades of "what is wrong with you" when you were just doing your job. The Manager made employees sign into the cosmetics register under the sign in identification of the head of the cosmetics department (when she was clocked out) so that it would look good because the store was the team leader for 5 stores for the cosmetics dept. One of the shift leads who acted as management had sex with several of the vendors. She bragged about it. She often flirted and gave out her phone number to the vendors when we were receiving shipments. It was highly toxic behavior and everyone not only knew about it but was highly uncomfortable with it. "Manager" would accuse those who questioned behavior like this of "harassment". The "manager" showed favoritism with employees she liked with scheduling and kuddos, though those who were favored didn't even like her behavior beyond the "favors". The Manager rarely walked the floor, she would sit in her office and bring in local sales people who sold potpourri, candles, etc... and visit with them and smell samples. She was often hateful in her speech and demeanor and employees were miserable around her. When I went to Loss Prevention about my problems with this manager I was asked if I was racist ("Manager" was a different race than I) and was told that she stood up for me once. The "Manager" had too many friends in the District Office for them to do anything about her outrageous behavior. The employees got the message and just shut up because eventually the "manager" found everything out and this "manager's" philosophy centered around retaliation to anyone who questioned or reported her outrageous behavior. This "manager" was the most toxic person I have ever been around and it effected everyone's job and made us all uncomfortable. She did everything within her power to stab employees she didn't like in the back. She was very young and favored the younger girls and those who were of the same "culture" of hers.

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5.0
Jun 23, 2026
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Pros

Was always able to work with my on my schedule and was always a reliable workplace little surprises

Cons

My area had a lot of scary stuff happen and a lot of time I was at the front all alone just left me feeling unsafe at times as a teen.

2.0
Jun 19, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
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Pros

Gave me decent pay. Bought us little gifts and food at holidays.

Cons

Gave away one of my paychecks to another employee and refused to reimburse me because of issues with "their bank." My RxM created a hostile work environment showing clear favoritism for employees. Eventually, HR got involved, and I was no longer scheduled with him. I did not ask for this change, and actively resented it, because now I had fewer hours, meaning less pay on top of the $500 corporate had already stolen from me. They had no interest in training me or anyone else to become certified as promised. Over and over again, they hired people, ran out the time on their licenses, and let techs choose between paying to get certified elsewhere, or losing their jobs. The only thing Walgreens was passionate about was convincing patients that they couldn't even provide their regular medications to get vaccines. Often unneeded. The "patient care" calls are blatant and illegal marketing for vaccines, since Walgreens makes it next to impossible for a patient to opt out of it. I would NEVER get my medications here after seeing how poorly everything is managed, how unethical company policies and patient health were regarded, and how mistreated the staff were.

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