Going forward after being fired

[RxMckenzie]

Does anyone have any advise about how to find work after being fired? As a new grad with absolutely no retail experience I was hired as a floater for Walgreens. My 2-week training was cut short because of sign-in issues and the trainer being on vacation for half of it. After that, I was put in some the busiest stores in the district and made a several errors during the first couple of months. At Walgreens your errors stay on your record for a year. I could not improve fast enough and often times I was pressured to go faster rather than I felt comfortable. If I was on the phone with a doctor or nurse I would hear huffing and puffing as a sign of frustration from managers and from technicians. Over time I grew thicker skin and errors became few and very minor, but my last error involved a inaccurately typed warfarin prescription and I was let go. Should I mention this during interviews or lie? The job market is very hard right now and I don't want to miss any opportunities.

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[sosoo]

one pharmacist i know sued cvs for wrongful termination and got huge rewards for it. so u should have a talk with a lawyer. his case was a lot of customer complaints, not meeting metrics, etc. his wait time for customers were 1+ hour. he totally deserved the termination, still he either won the lawsuit or settled it with cvs. but everyone's case is different. walgreens is a big company so there's a chance they'll give u some money, enough to open your own pharmacy. seek legal advice from a lawyer.

 

[rph3664]

Sosoo, are you a troll? Unless she can proven blatant discrimination, she doesn't have a chance.

 

[Sparda29]

Say you got fired but for not being as fast as they want. Look for jobs at independents.

 

[Gombrich12]

my last error involved a inaccurately typed warfarin prescription

That is scary. I know some chains have a process that double checks on narrow therapeutic index drugs.

 

[sosoo]

Sosoo, are you a troll? Unless she can "proven" blatant discrimination, she doesn't have a chance.

i dont see why she cannot "prove" that the error was stress related, and that walgreens was creating a stressful work environment. a good lawyer should be able to find an argument and enough research should get a case going.

 

[bacillus1]

Sosoo, are you a troll? Unless she can proven blatant discrimination, she doesn't have a chance.

She should still talk to an employment lawyer. Initial consultation is often free. Just see what the lawyer says.

 

[Hope1974]

Never tell any potential employer u got fired. Never tell any one u got fired for that matter, cept ur close friends n fam. Don't put Walgreens on ur resume. And no, the other employer cant find out, unless u tell them. if u work somewhere for a long time, and get fired, u can always say I was interested in further professional advancement, or google, what to say, but always keep it short, don't stutter. U worked 2 weeks, I wouldn't even put it on my resume, don't put it on u resume. Forget about Walgreens. Consider it a blessing. Look for something else. What u experienced can happen to anyone. U'll be fine, take it from an expert in that area.

 

[rxgolfer]

Never tell any potential employer u got fired. Never tell any one u got fired for that matter, cept ur close friends n fam. Don't put Walgreens on ur resume. And no, the other employer cant find out, unless u tell them. if u work somewhere for a long time, and get fired, u can always say I was interested in further professional advancement, or google, what to say, but always keep it short, don't stutter. U worked 2 weeks, I wouldn't even put it on my resume, don't put it on u resume. Forget about Walgreens. Consider it a blessing. Look for something else. What u experienced can happen to anyone. U'll be fine, take it from an expert in that area.

I swear someone told me they can just look at your records of some sort and they will know your employment history and tell if you're lying.

 

[Lnsean]

OP, I feel your pain. I work for Walgreens, and the under staffing is reaching critical levels.

 

[SoylentGreen]

Before lying on your resume, check out https://www.theworknumber.com/ and see what it says about you. It's like a credit check for your employment history (in fact, it's run by one of the credit bureaus). You can bet your prospective employer will look at it or something like it.

Mine has every paycheck I've earned since working for Pizza Hut in 2002 listed on it. So leaving a job off my resume would probably not go over well.

 

[kkittens]

Never tell any potential employer u got fired. Never tell any one u got fired for that matter, cept ur close friends n fam. Don't put Walgreens on ur resume. And no, the other employer cant find out, unless u tell them. if u work somewhere for a long time, and get fired, u can always say I was interested in further professional advancement, or google, what to say, but always keep it short, don't stutter. U worked 2 weeks, I wouldn't even put it on my resume, don't put it on u resume. Forget about Walgreens. Consider it a blessing. Look for something else. What u experienced can happen to anyone. U'll be fine, take it from an expert in that area.

Depends on what type of background check the employer uses. Some background checks will show all previous employers.

 

[RealityRx]

It's good to show that you've had experience. Just polish it up a little. Where it says "reason for leaving" put down relocation, divorce, pregnancy, whatever... No one is going to get into messy personal details in an interview. They will be evaluating what they see sitting in front of them.

(And screw Walgreens for putting you in that situation. It may be a minority opinion, but I had a much kinder experience with CVS over the years.)

 

[RxMckenzie]

Before lying on your resume, check out https://www.theworknumber.com/ and see what it says about you. It's like a credit check for your employment history (in fact, it's run by one of the credit bureaus). You can bet your prospective employer will look at it or something like it.

Mine has every paycheck I've earned since working for Pizza Hut in 2002 listed on it. So leaving a job off my resume would probably not go over well.

 

[RxMckenzie]

Thanks. I will definitely look into this. A district manager at another Walgreens district told my boyfriend that legally Walgreens can not give out reasons for letting you go. They are afraid of getting sued for slander.

 

[RxMckenzie]

It's good to show that you've had experience. Just polish it up a little. Where it says "reason for leaving" put down relocation, divorce, pregnancy, whatever... No one is going to get into messy personal details in an interview. They will be evaluating what they see sitting in front of them.

(And screw Walgreens for putting you in that situation. It may be a minority opinion, but I had a much kinder experience with CVS over the years.)

 

[RxMckenzie]

Thank you for the advice. I just had a phone interview with Walmart. They actually asked this question. I told them I didnt like floating anymore. I don't think they bought it.. I am a terrible liar.

 

[RxMckenzie]

one pharmacist i know sued cvs for wrongful termination and got huge rewards for it. so u should have a talk with a lawyer. his case was a lot of customer complaints, not meeting metrics, etc. his wait time for customers were 1+ hour. he totally deserved the termination, still he either won the lawsuit or settled it with cvs. but everyone's case is different. walgreens is a big company so there's a chance they'll give u some money, enough to open your own pharmacy. seek legal advice from a lawyer.

 

[RxMckenzie]

I appreciate your advice, but I'm not looking to sue anyone. It was my own fault for letting people rush me when I know I should have taken my time. It's the price I paid for not having the courage to speak up sooner.

 

[RealityRx]

I am a terrible liar.

It's an acquired talent🙂

(In general but not always) they do not care about us, so don't feel guilty about saying whatever you have to. There is a reason why you got screwed the way you did, you just won't find out in this lifetime. Use it to your advantage to make you stronger, and you win in the end.

 

[PharmDstudent]

Thank you for the advice. I just had a phone interview with Walmart. They actually asked this question. I told them I didnt like floating anymore. I don't think they bought it.. I am a terrible liar.

That's definitely better than being a great liar! 😍

 

[Misaenator]

Walgreens sucks ass. Same goes for Walmart

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[Sunshine98]

It's the price I paid for not having the courage to speak up sooner.

Even if you did speak up what are the odds someone would do something about it? Ive spoke up several times through the years and I got labeled as a "troublemaker", someone who doesn't give people a chance, and now Im a ventor. Why? because I take on more and more, while other RPh's and techs get away with doing less and only take advantage of what I do. Went to DM...and nothing. So don't blame yourself. Its all down to the $. They don't care who is doing what as long as its being made and they don't get sued. I just wished I could get a way with doing less, but if I do, something gets said on my eval about it. I always laugh too...since it comes from someone who is lazy and I can work circles around.

 

[PharmDstudent]

Even if you did speak up what are the odds someone would do something about it? Ive spoke up several times through the years and I got labeled as a "troublemaker", someone who doesn't give people a chance, and now Im a ventor. Why? because I take on more and more, while other RPh's and techs get away with doing less and only take advantage of what I do. Went to DM...and nothing. So don't blame yourself. Its all down to the $. They don't care who is doing what as long as its being made and they don't get sued. I just wished I could get a way with doing less, but if I do, something gets said on my eval about it. I always laugh too...since it comes from someone who is lazy and I can work circles around.

That's a death sentence where I work...

You must submit to those bean counting tyrants... or else!

 

[genesis09]

One thing to remember, Walgreens is way more generous when it comes to errors than Wal-Mart. To actually get fired for errors, takes about a year at Walgreens. They look at your errors over a rolling three month period, and if it is above a certain amount, you can get written up. Not all errors are equal, though. They consider wrong refill to be minor and stuff like wrong patient to be major. After you are written up, the three month period begins fresh. If no improvement, then second write-up, then third and finally, you are fired. If you are clean for a year, you'll start all over at the first write up. My district was one of districts which piloted this program and only a handful of people, less than five, have been fired due to it. Most don't beyond the first oral write up.

 

[RealityRx]

Ive spoke up several times through the years and I got labeled as a "troublemaker"...

I have gone to battle in the past as well. "Patient rights", "tech rights", "pharmacist rights". Whatever. No one cares. The best you can do is dance the fine line between saving your own ass, and playing nice with the cast of the day. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. The first loss is the hardest, but you become numb to it over time. I'm at the point where if a plane isn't flying into my pharmacy on the 110th floor, and I am not being forced to decide whether to jump out the window or go down with the ship, I've had a decent day as a pharmacist.

 

[Sunshine98]

That's a death sentence where I work...

You must submit to those bean counting tyrants... or else!

No choice. I tried and there is nothing I can do. Yeah, I could go higher, above my DM, but my gut tells me the odds of anything happening are slim. You would think someone with experience and loyalty to make a company $ would mean something, but it doesn't. If anything they would probably find a way to get rid of me because I cost too much compared to a new grad so they could save on payroll. And yes I am trying to get out of my situation, but its just hard as I cant relocate a long distance due to being a caregiver. So its just keep my mouth shut, accept it...until I can find an opening somewhere else so I can be free.🙁

 

[Sunshine98]

I have gone to battle in the past as well. "Patient rights", "tech rights", "pharmacist rights". Whatever. No one cares. The best you can do is dance the fine line between saving your own ass, and playing nice with the cast of the day. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. The first loss is the hardest, but you become numb to it over time. I'm at the point where if a plane isn't flying into my pharmacy on the 110th floor, and I am not being forced to decide whether to jump out the window or go down with the ship, I've had a decent day as a pharmacist.

I hear ya. No one cares. And its sad. Where Ive had to take on so much ( ie doing tech's work and RPh's work) even had techs complain on me. And Im the one that gets pulled to the side😡. But is anything done about techs slacking? RPh not putting in extra hand when we are short? Putting in more effort? Nada. I haven't played all my cards so to say. But can say my DM has showed his full hand. All around, bad situation....and I feel like Im a sitting duck being the one who has to take on more as if my license is being put in jeopardy while its acceptable if others do less. Hence now all I can do is wait......check in from time to time at other places until I can find something else.

Which is why I say to RxMckenzie...don't put yourself down for not having courage. If anything be glad you are out of that situation. Good luck!

 

[RealityRx]

Hence now all I can do is wait......check in from time to time at other places until I can find something else.

Are there any long term care joints in your area? I've part timed at both Pharmerica and Omnicare. Don't get me wrong, there's a reason they are always hiring. You will be surrounded by a group of lazy pharmacists that should have retired 20 years ago. But its a pay check and not retail.

 

[asian pharm]

Sunshine98, I am assuming you are in FL from your screenname........Are you in FL?Which Disitrict?

 

[Sunshine98]

Sunshine98, I am assuming you are in FL from your screenname........Are you in FL?Which Disitrict?

Not in FL....just love the Sunshine 🙂

 

[nextyearrx]

Are there any long term care joints in your area? I've part timed at both Pharmerica and Omnicare. Don't get me wrong, there's a reason they are always hiring. You will be surrounded by a group of lazy pharmacists that should have retired 20 years ago. But its a pay check and not retail.

How was your experience at Long Term Care Pharmacy?? I am trying to find a job at Long Term Care pharmacy!!

I feel the retail setting is so stressful!

 

[Ackj]

Before lying on your resume, check out https://www.theworknumber.com/ and see what it says about you. It's like a credit check for your employment history (in fact, it's run by one of the credit bureaus). You can bet your prospective employer will look at it or something like it.

Mine has every paycheck I've earned since working for Pizza Hut in 2002 listed on it. So leaving a job off my resume would probably not go over well.

That's kind of scary actually. Why would information about how much you've made every single week be available? I thought the only things that could be verified/disclosed by previous employers were your dates of employment, not your salary.

 

[SoylentGreen]

Thank you for the advice. I just had a phone interview with Walmart. They actually asked this question. I told them I didnt like floating anymore. I don't think they bought it.. I am a terrible liar.

I doubt they bought it, because who would leave a job over something like that without having something else lined up? You could always say you were taking care of your ill parents or something if you want an unverifiable lie that doesn't make you look bad.

 

[21PharmD]

Does anyone have any advise about how to find work after being fired? As a new grad with absolutely no retail experience I was hired as a floater for Walgreens. My 2-week training was cut short because of sign-in issues and the trainer being on vacation for half of it. After that, I was put in some the busiest stores in the district and made a several errors during the first couple of months. At Walgreens your errors stay on your record for a year. I could not improve fast enough and often times I was pressured to go faster rather than I felt comfortable. If I was on the phone with a doctor or nurse I would hear huffing and puffing as a sign of frustration from managers and from technicians. Over time I grew thicker skin and errors became few and very minor, but my last error involved a inaccurately typed warfarin prescription and I was let go. Should I mention this during interviews or lie? The job market is very hard right now and I don't want to miss any opportunities.

I am terribly sorry about being released from your job. I am just curious did they give you any warnings or anything? If you don't mind me asking what are some examples of the mistakes you have made? Were any of the patients harmed by the these mistakes? We all make mistakes, and while you shouldnt be proud of that you shouldnt beat yourself up about it. With regards to some of the managers and the technicians being upset with you for not being quick enough, you shouldnt really be too concerned with that they really dont have much of a clue as to what is involved in pharmacy, with the exception of a pharmacy manager. Has any pharmacy manager directly communicated with you about your performance? It seems unusual that they would have just fired you without any sort of warning or suspension or write up? Did you speak directly with the district supervisor, if so did he cite specific examples of what had gone wrong? Were all of your mistakes over the year and a half you worked for them taken into consideration when they made the decision? I really feel for you as this can happen to anyone of us considering the circumstances they placed you in. Moving forward Just try to use the experience you learned from that job to better yourself for the next one, and remember we are all pulling for you good luck!

 

[RealityRx]

That's kind of scary actually. Why would information about how much you've made every single week be available? I thought the only things that could be verified/disclosed by previous employers were your dates of employment, not your salary.

Theworknumber.com is similar to Experion or Equifax. Its a for profit service used by companies to give info upon request to banks or state agencies for things like loans or disability benefits.

You're right- the only info one employer will give to another is date of service, and job title. Ever.

 

[BMBiology]

Thank you for the advice. I just had a phone interview with Walmart. They actually asked this question. I told them I didnt like floating anymore. I don't think they bought it.. I am a terrible liar.

just tell them:
(1) you had a great experience at Walgreens but you recently got engaged so you had to move to be with your fiance who is currently doing a residency at XYZ location or
(2) you had a great experience at Walgreens but you met some random guy at a bar who you fell in love with so you had to move in with him at ABC location.

Everyone loves a love story!

 

[Misaenator]

just tell them:
(1) you had a great experience at Walgreens but you recently got engaged so you had to move to be with your fiance who is currently doing a residency at XYZ location or
(2) you had a great experience at Walgreens but you met some random guy at a bar who you fell in love with so you had to move in with him at ABC location.

Everyone loves a love story!

Shallow much!? Need a more convincing story here

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

 

[BMBiology]

Shallow much!? Need a more convincing story here

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

Apparently you have a cold and broken heart

 

[BidingMyTime]

To the OP, hiding your work history or out and out lying is a bad idea. You want to tell the truth....just in a way that sounds more favorable to you. In your case you could say, "I was put into a high-volume store. as a new grad I was unprepared for the workload, and thought it best to move on."

In the future....I would advise that its better to be fired for being too slow, then being fired for making mistakes that could potential kill someone.

 

[Misaenator]

Apparently you have a cold and broken heart

Say what? You have no idea what kind of person i am, yet sitting behind the keyboard and point your finger at me saying sth called "i have a cold and broken heart"? Get outta here.

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[rph3664]

To the OP, hiding your work history or out and out lying is a bad idea. You want to tell the truth....just in a way that sounds more favorable to you. In your case you could say, "I was put into a high-volume store. as a new grad I was unprepared for the workload, and thought it best to move on."

In the future....I would advise that its better to be fired for being too slow, then being fired for making mistakes that could potential kill someone.

A better way to say it is that you recognized immediately that you were not suited for the job.

Over the years, I've had two jobs that I considered walking out on in the first week, and found out later that I was not the only person who considered doing so, or actually did. I lasted 2 months in one, and 4 months in the other. I guess the only benefit to either one is that the money I earned enabled me to retire earlier than I would have had I not worked there.