A Dollar General store in Mineral Point, Wisconsin, faced closure after its entire staff resigned on Friday, March 8th.
Tribolet, a staff member as well as the general manager, has quit after overwork and a low salary.
Trina Tribolet, the store manager for roughly a year, attributed the walkout to a combination of factors.
She, along with the other five staff members, felt significantly underpaid and overworked.
Additionally, Tribolet had been working seven days a week and was burdened with limited pay hours for her team.
She also emphasized that the decision wasn't made lightly.
They valued their customers but ultimately felt undervalued and burned out. Discussions about a walkout had been ongoing for months, culminating in their joint resignation at the end of their Friday shift. A note left on the door informed customers of the closure.
Additionally, the manager was disturbed by how much of the food they were ordered to throw out.
While staffing and compensation were central issues, the company's food donation policy became a final tipping point.
Tribolet expressed frustration at the significant amount of edible food, nearing its expiration date, being discarded as per company guidelines.
Donating this food to pantries wasn't an option, highlighting a perceived disconnect between company policy and social responsibility.
“There have been tears that have been shed over the fact that we’re throwing away coffee that is not expired, but it’s close,” Tribolet said.
“Or you’re throwing out a box of Lucky Charms that you know there’s a whole bunch of kids that would love to eat those, but you can’t donate them out because you’re supposed to throw them away," she continued.
The store remained closed for approximately three hours on Saturday due to a lack of staff.
Dollar General confirmed the closure but offered a different perspective. A company spokesperson emphasized their commitment to employee well-being and career growth. Regarding the food donations, their public relations team clarified that they follow established guidelines set by Feeding America.
Tribolet intends to take time for mental recuperation, while other former staff members have already found new positions.
Watching the video below:
