"You're are nothing with out your people" but why are we all treated as expendible - Store Manager CVS Health Employee Review

3.0
13 Oct 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

CVS makes alot of smart moves financially. You most likely have more job security in this industry. It is possible to be promoted if you play the game right. Creativity and being proactive are highly regarded. You have virtual creative freedom when it comes to merchandising and sales building ideas. CVS seems to promote a more community feel to each of its stores. Stores are warmer and friendlier than other corporate drug stores out there. CVS store employees can seem like a close knit family of sorts. You know whats going on in your employee's lives and you honestly care.

Cons

Most employees are thought of to be expendible. You are given more tasks and less payroll each year. Customer service is supposed to be number one but the payroll constraints negatively affect it. You seem to do less managing than in other retail industries. You spend your time consumed with tasks which cannot be delegated because of the hours constraints. "Sucking up" seems to the best way to get promoted. Senior management does too much negative micromanaging. You do not always get the respect, pay and acknowledgement that you deserve. Stores are open on holidays, weekends and nights...consider CVS your home away from home.

Explore other reviews about CVS Health

5.0
12 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good first job but stay focused to move up

Cons

Pay is okay compared to other

5.0
13 Dec 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I learned a lot working there as far as how to run a business as well as how to develop a team. I had one of the most successful teams in the company ranking as the top store year over year in two separate markets, one in the Northeast one in the Southeast. I was a paragon winner with the company as well. My most recent DM was very supportive. I genuinely thank them for the opportunity and the knowledge that I acquired while working with them.

Cons

Work hours were excessive. To be successful hours worked were borderline slavery. While I willingly worked them to be successful, the week you didn't you were immediately behind. Vacations were almost non existent due to constant visitors from corporate stopping in to do reviews. Holiday weeks were paid 4 days regular 1 holiday and you worked all 5. The facade of the stores looking great when these people stop by versus the reality of the business is polarizing. There were always teams of people and excessive expenditures of payroll thrown into stores prior to their visits. While I understood the need to make an appearance, it was always will always be a backwards way off thinking. Company preaches quality of life for their clients while quality of life for their employees is non-existent. As a "manager" in your average store you will be "managing" a total of one person during your shift, with a total of 10 people at location. Location open hours will exceed total payroll hours ie Sun-Sat 7am-10pm = 15hrs per day x 7 days x 2 people = 210 hrs which excludes the need to have a person unload deliveries that come in during non opened hours. Your budgeted hours will be approximately 208 hrs. I will only mention that during the month of December that there are extended hours for the stores but no budgeted hours to accommodate. Stores are held to strict shrink targets with little to no control over external theft. Remember 2 people at location, if four people enter to steal there is nothing you can do to stop them. These are facts not personal prejudices.

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