PTFing so hard!
Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you all, my adoring fans. I got a job as an accountant shortly after I started at Walmart. I wanted to keep both jobs, so I could fill my evening hours, and to bring home a little extra cash. But I found I just couldn't work two jobs - too mentally draining I guess. My accounting job is a lot more challenging and pays a lot better, so I kept it and dropped Walmart. I only worked at Walmart for 4 weeks.
Leaving was interesting. I walked in to give my immediate notice, 15 minutes before I was supposed to start my shift.
- I talked to a CSM (like a head cashier). He was really disappointed and actually whined, "But I really liked you...!" I got the feeling he had been looking forward to working with a little higher caliber cashier.
- The department head (the CSM's boss) instantly became very sympathetic. She said I needed to go do what I was made to do, and if I ever wanted to work there again just look her up.
- On the way out I ran into a fellow cashier (an older lady) on her way in for her shift. I gave her the news and she was really happy for me. We talked a long time and she told me about her other job as an administrative assistant to a local college president. She thought I would do great as an accountant and wished me the best
Nobody was upset that I wouldn't be working my shift that day.
In 4 weeks at Walmart I didn't really get to know anyone very well. I don't have any stories of the type you all are hoping for. The people I worked with all seemed level-headed and sensible, although I don't know why they choose to work at Walmart. I think most of them could probably find better jobs somewhere else.
The customers were a different story. They ran the gamut from ultra-poor to ultra-wealthy (or as far as I could tell). We had young kids, elderly people barely able to walk, mothers with restless kids. I was surprised how many people still paid with paper checks. I also saw a lot of cash, credit cards, WIC, EBT, and Walmart Pay App. We got shoplifted from a lot. The managers told us we were not allowed to interrupt a shoplift in progress. We could ask if they needed any help, but that was it. All those shoplifters were on camera, and Walmart pursues shoplifters after the fact.
One time I was working the self-pay lanes, and there was a group of four teenage boys buying a bottle of cough syrup. We have to check ID for cough syrup. So I did - he was old enough - and I cleared the transaction. Five minutes later the CSM warns me that there are four teenage boys in the store trying to buy cough syrup, and if I see them I need to check all four of their IDs. Apparently they are making a game of getting away with cough syrup for some in the group who were underage. Oops.