Pros
Due to the absence of guidance and leadership, I had to quickly adapt and take initiative, which accelerated my learning in the HR field. While I was significantly underpaid, I truly value the knowledge and experience I gained during this period.
Cons
Where do I start? Despite being a Fortune 200 company, the level of unprofessionalism I experienced was astonishing. In comparison, I now work at a midsize company that operates with far greater integrity and organization. Leadership at Dollar General demonstrated a disturbing lack of transparency and fairness. Promises of promotions were dangled for over a year only to be manipulated into believing I was not worthy of advancement. I was overqualified for my role, holding a master’s degree in organizational behavior, yet received minimal recognition or compensation. The hiring process was inconsistent, allowing bias and ego to influence decisions. My supervisor openly stated he prioritized personality over skills and work ethic, which is concerning. Upper management, especially the regional HR director, was ineffective. I raised serious concerns towards the end of my tenure, but they were dismissed with little follow-up. The communication and treatment I received did not align with the company’s stated values. This systemic disregard for employee well-being is reflected in the number of lawsuits filed against the company, stemming from how employees are treated. Despite significantly improving employee engagement metrics—by over 20% in various areas—I only received a total raise of $2,000 over nearly two years, amounting to an extra $30 biweekly. A promotion I was promised was never awarded, and I was manipulated into taking on more work without commensurate pay. The workload was excessive, and there was no work-life balance. Compensation was grossly inadequate given the demands. Workplace culture is marred by bias, discrimination, and harassment that are rarely addressed effectively. Employees have little to no real voice, as leadership tends to dismiss concerns regardless of their severity. From an HR perspective, the department operates in an insular environment, with little opportunity for growth or meaningful impact. The annual HR summit is poorly organized and unprofessional, reflecting the overall lack of investment in employee development. Executives often come across as pompous and insincere. Despite holding a master’s degree rooted in scientific principles, I observed that leadership training relies heavily on superficial methods—such as watching videos—rather than evidence-based, scientifically grounded approaches. This demonstrates a lack of genuine investment in leadership development. My direct supervisor was one of the most biased and judgmental managers I have encountered. Despite raising concerns, little was done. This highlights the absence of effective HR support—what I can only describe as a failure of the HR department to serve its employees. Overall, the negatives outweigh any positives. Working here took a toll on my mental health, and I felt like I was being blamed for issues beyond my control. I strongly advise against working at Dollar General. There are far better opportunities elsewhere. The company’s low Glassdoor rating of 2.5 stars is a reflection of the overall experience.