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.

Explore other reviews about Walgreens

5.0
Feb 4, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Flexible, not too many things to do, focus on your job, great customers, fun, free products. Working with customers. The area lead was amazing. It went down hill after she left.

Cons

The got rid of the position in many stores

3.0
Jun 25, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Can be a fun environment. All in whom your staff is. Operating photo was fun and building projects for the customers. Learning about pharmacy operations.

Cons

Work life balance and low pay for what is expected. Not having enough payroll to effectively run a store. My store ran FE on a 320 hour a week budget. That was barely enough to get buy and meet the expectations put out by the company. I was never able to keep a full leadership staff. When a leader called out, I had to stay. There were days I was called away from my own dinner table. SM's were forced to be in the pharmacy for more than half of their day regardless as to what is happening in the FE. I worked over 50 hours a week and barely got to spend time with my family. If I wasn't at the store I was getting a phone call and having to go back to the store.

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All