Wisconsin Dollar General Store Shuts Down After Its Entire Staff Quits At The Same

It's not every day you see such a bold move! 

Trina Tribolet, who played a key role as the general manager, was among the six employees who chose to leave their jobs all at once on Friday, March 8.

Tribolet opened up about the pressures of her role, particularly highlighting the grueling schedule she endured.

As the person in charge, she was constrained by a limited number of paid hours she could distribute among her team, leading her to work non-stop, seven days a week.

In a conversation with CBS7, Tribolet shared: "Until Friday night when we walked away, this weekend was my first time off since Christmas."

The staff members all walked out at the same time. Credit: WKOW 27 NEWS

Clearly, the burnout was real for her and the rest of the staff.

Having managed the store for roughly a year, Tribolet mentioned that the idea of a collective walkout had been brewing for some time, with discussions starting a couple of months prior.

Their decision came to fruition that Friday, as they chose to leave their roles at the end of their shift, signalling their departure with notes left on the door indicating that they all had quit.

Tribolet pointed out that this decision wasn't made lightly, especially considering their connection with the regular customers.

She said: "A lot of our regulars came in there every day, and it's hard on all of us to not be able to see them every day because they brighten your day."

Despite their grievances about insufficient pay and excessive workloads, it was the store's approach to food donations that Tribolet highlighted as a significant issue, describing it as the 'last straw.'

She expressed frustration over the wastefulness she witnessed, especially regarding items that could still benefit those in need.

Dollar General does participate in food donation initiatives, adhering to guidelines that unfortunately result in only a fraction of potential donations actually reaching those in need.

Tribolet vividly illustrated the heartbreak of this policy: "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."

The staff were unsatisfied with hours, pay, and food waste. Credit: WKOW 27 NEWS

"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."

With the store left unattended the following morning, it remained closed for roughly three hours, a clear indication of the sudden staffing void.

In response, a spokesperson from Dollar General stated that the store has since been staffed with new employees and emphasized the company's dedication to creating a supportive work environment.

They asserted: "Dollar General is 'committed to providing an environment where employees can grow their careers and where they feel valued and heard'."

Regarding the concerns raised about the food donation policy, the company's PR team clarified that their practices align with the standards set by Feeding America.

As for Tribolet, she's looking forward to a well-deserved mental break, while her former colleagues have begun embarking on new professional ventures.