Walmart vs Safeway? Any input is greatly appreciated.

[Mikethenewpharmacist]

I am a new grad looking for any input from current/former Walmart/Safeway pharmacists. Any feedback is greatly appreciated. Here are some more details:

-I am new grad with a lot of student loans and a family
-Both are in remote locations about 2 hours or so away from a major city
-Both are PIC positions
-Walmart is high volume, Safeway is not
-5 total employees at Safeway, 24 at Walmart
-Walmart pay is about 15℅ higher (higher rate and more guaranteed hours)
-More days off with Safeway
Once again thanks for your input.

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[a student]

PIC as a new grad?

 

[Mikethenewpharmacist]

I don't think being PIC is very desirable these days, so they just push it on new grads. I would rather start as staff, but those the offers I have.
Thanks

PIC as a new grad?

 

[lord999]

One other question, would your family (spouse in terms of his/her life and children in terms of life and education) be ok living in either one (I'm assuming they are in different places) for the foreseeable future (~5 years)? I'd personally prioritize that even if that meant taking a crappier job myself. Both companies are fairly easy to get along with in the rural areas (yes, even Walmart). If you are the incoming PIC, realize that you're going to be doing a lot of forced OT staffing if you are in a rural area rather than having backup be sent from contract dimwits or floaters in travel, so it's a family decision as much as a personal one, I don't think the hours will be relevant if you're the PIC in either.

One other matter, you have more control over techs at Walmart than Safeway (who are union employees in certain states). You kind of have to guess what your staffing situation is like. Personally, I'd find a couple of weekdays (preferably Monday or Tuesday non-holidays) to be a discrete secret shopper at both places to see how the place works and doesn't work.

 

[Mikethenewpharmacist]

I really appreciate your input. We will be living about 45 minutes or so away from the pharmacy in both locations for the reasons you specified (schools, area, etc). The Safeway techs and clerks are union but there are only 4 people to manage, whereas I will manage over 23 with Walmart. But Walmart is closer (relatively speaking) to our families and I will make more money but I will be working more days. I was hoping people's experiences would help shed more light on the 2 places. Thanks again.

One other question, would your family (spouse in terms of his/her life and children in terms of life and education) be ok living in either one (I'm assuming they are in different places) for the foreseeable future (~5 years)? I'd personally prioritize that even if that meant taking a crappier job myself. Both companies are fairly easy to get along with in the rural areas (yes, even Walmart). If you are the incoming PIC, realize that you're going to be doing a lot of forced OT staffing if you are in a rural area rather than having backup be sent from contract dimwits or floaters in travel, so it's a family decision as much as a personal one, I don't think the hours will be relevant if you're the PIC in either.

One other matter, you have more control over techs at Walmart than Safeway (who are union employees in certain states). You kind of have to guess what your staffing situation is like. Personally, I'd find a couple of weekdays (preferably Monday or Tuesday non-holidays) to be a discrete secret shopper at both places to see how the place works and doesn't work.

One other question, would your family (spouse in terms of his/her life and children in terms of life and education) be ok living in either one (I'm assuming they are in different places) for the foreseeable future (~5 years)? I'd personally prioritize that even if that meant taking a crappier job myself. Both companies are fairly easy to get along with in the rural areas (yes, even Walmart). If you are the incoming PIC, realize that you're going to be doing a lot of forced OT staffing if you are in a rural area rather than having backup be sent from contract dimwits or floaters in travel, so it's a family decision as much as a personal one, I don't think the hours will be relevant if you're the PIC in either.

One other matter, you have more control over techs at Walmart than Safeway (who are union employees in certain states). You kind of have to guess what your staffing situation is like. Personally, I'd find a couple of weekdays (preferably Monday or Tuesday non-holidays) to be a discrete secret shopper at both places to see how the place works and doesn't work.

 

[BMBiology]

Go with the company that is most stable. That should be your main concern right now.


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[lord999]

I really appreciate your input. We will be living about 45 minutes or so away from the pharmacy in both locations for the reasons you specified (schools, area, etc). The Safeway techs and clerks are union but there are only 4 people to manage, whereas I will manage over 23 with Walmart. But Walmart is closer (relatively speaking) to our families and I will make more money but I will be working more days. I was hoping people's experiences would help shed more light on the 2 places. Thanks again.

Ok, Walmart definitely has the longevity game in play, although they close stores for strategic reasons if they don't agree with the local government. Walmart is going to be more taxing as a PIC there, but use a far, far better system than Safeway. I wouldn't say the money is worth it though, I'd probably pick a rural Safeway in your shoes myself even though they are Happiness Nazis more so than Walmart (Safeway Smile School, anyone?). Yes, Safeway is always in some kind of financial trouble in a different sense than Walmart, but Walmart cleaves through their staff by the numbers and tend to screw over long-term employees the same as Walgreens does when district management comes in. Also, Safeway is in a portfolio with a hedge fund that has basically unlimited capital, so it's not likely to be burnt at the stake anytime soon. So, I'd argue that it's where YOU would be more stable than the company, and for those reasons, I would lean toward Safeway (and I'm assuming that this is West of the Mississippi not DC/Maryland). If you are in the Big-Sky or Mountain West conference territory especially, I would lean Safeway. In AZ having longer-term experience with them both, I'd definitely choose Safeway due to Walmart's schizophrenic district management turnover in AZ.