I was fired from Walmart in June. It was a very hairy situation, and tonight I decided to reapply. With that, I decided to send the Store Manager a letter with my intentions. I plan on delivering it to him personally. I do not need hecklers, people who are going to say "F*** Walmart" or anything else. I need input. I need to know if this is something that I can hand him with confidence, or something I should delete. I loved my job, and I want it back. So please, if you can, help me.Here is the letter I plan on giving him:
Dear Brian,
As you can remember, I’m sure, I am not very good at speaking in person, although I am improving on that. I would like to thank you for meeting with me after I was terminated in June, and thank you for your time. I would also like to apologize to you, and the company as a whole for the issues that occurred while I worked there. I would like to apologize for any forth-comings on my part, and try to explain my feelings to you. The reason for this is that as of this evening, I have reapplied for a 3rd shift position at your Walmart store. The 90 day waiting period was up on August 13th, and after thinking for quite some time about it, I know that Walmart is the right choice for me. I may not have made all of the correct choices while working there, but since my employment has ceased every day is filled with regret. I have spent my entire life looking for a job I was comfortable with. I have struggled with Anxiety Disorder for most of my adult life, and it makes many things hard for me, working being a large part of this. Two years before I applied and was hired at your company I started working on my disorder. I refused to let it hold me back in life because I was missing out on so much. When I was called in for an interview at the end of January, I gathered my strength and walked into that office. It was the hardest thing I have ever done. I’ve never sat through an interview before for a job, I have always gotten my jobs in “lucky” ways that didn’t involve that type of situation. I made it through, and was hired, and that was one of the single most important days of my life. Not only did I have a full-time job, but I had conquered another step in overcoming my disorder.
Around the time I was hired, I found out that I had Diabetes. I was very sick, very often, and was treated with compassion on this subject. I missed many days of work, from the beginning, all of which I regret, however all of which could not have been avoided. Each day I missed was documented with a doctor, as I was in the emergency room each time. I was coached for missing work, and told to fill out FMLA paperwork. I did have this paperwork filled out by my doctor, and it is still on file with Walmart, however, when being told that I needed to have this filled out, I was not told that it would not be accepted. Only after I had gotten the paperwork filled out, was I told that it would not excuse any of my absences, even though there was documented paperwork of a serious medical problem. Around this time I started having issues with my anxiety again, and I did go into the office and speak with 2 managers about an issue with another employee. I was very upset, and crying. In large part of my disorder, I have a hard time expressing what I want to say with words, which is why I am writing you this letter. I have certain triggers which set off panic attacks. The beginning of these is crying without reason. It is not something I can control, or that I know will happen. I had thought that I was over this stage of my medical problem, and during this time in the office I let my managers know that I was dealing with anxiety problems. It was not affecting my work, however I will say that the medication my doctor placed me on for the Diabetes was. It made me very, extremely sick, and the hormonal imbalances it caused started to trigger my anxiety quite constantly. (I am no longer on this medication) I tried to deal with this the best way I could, for my career with Walmart. I can say from the bottom of my heart that I loved my job, and I worked as hard as I could. I had one incident prior to the incident that caused my termination, and it was resolved in the office. I never said no to the managers, about anything. If they wanted me to work in a part of the store, I did it, and most often, I loved it. I loved that they could count on me to rotate throughout the store any where they needed me, and I loved that I could learn in an environment I was so comfortable with.
Throughout my time at Walmart I not only was a stocker, I also had the opportunity to clean up the store, the opportunity to celebrate a baby shower, and the opportunity to make friends. All things that are very hard for a person in my position to do in normal life. I began to learn all different parts of the store, each one with its new challenges, new people, and new products. I absolutely loved it. During my 90-day evaluation, this was brought up. I was commended on the fact that I was willing to work anywhere in the store I was needed at any point of time. This was a source of immense pride for me, a very large feat for someone who has been overcoming a very large disorder on her own. I took everything the managers said to me that day and improved myself a bit more, hoping that with my next evaluation I would hear that I had improved much more.
A few weeks went by, and my birthday happened upon us. This is an extremely hard day for me. My father committed suicide on December 25th, 2003 and I do not have an opportunity to spend time with my family on my birthday, or holidays (now). During my interview, I made it perfectly clear that I could not work on Christmas, Christmas Eve, or my birthday, as these are very high trigger days for me. Because I was doing so well with my anxiety, I decided to work on the night of my birthday. One more milestone for me, and one more big step as well. When I came into work, my anxiety was at an all time high, and I should have spoke to management right then and there. However, I decided to move forth with the night in hopes that it would ease away as it had done so many times in my first few months of employment. After clocking in, I realized that I did not know where I was working. At this point in time, I looked to find that I would be working in a completely new part of the store, “Produce.” I’m not sure if this was a birthday present, or a challenge, a sort of task to see how well I would do in such a different part of the store. I barreled into my task with determination and fervor, determined to get it right, to do my job, and help this part of the store in any way that I could. Immediately upon starting work, I asked questions, I listened, I paid attention, and learned as much as I could while I worked. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. I made several mistakes, and soon my mind could not process what I was supposed to do next. I tried to settle down during my first break, and barrel back in with the same confidence, but it was not there. I was worried about not doing my job correctly, and not only holding back a part of the store that was in the front line (the first thing people see when they walk in the door) but placing more burden on my co-worker. The produce truck came, and after we unloaded I took my lunch. During this time, I interacted with other co-workers who had worked in that department, and tried to ask as many questions as I could while not interrupting their free time in the same aspect. Armed with new information, a full stomach, and renewed energy, I went back out to Produce and tried to start over. At this point in the night, I realized that I needed to leave this section of the store. I was not being productive, and my anxiety was hitting a peak. After much deliberation, I decided to go to the office, very confident in the open-door policy, and speak with my manager. I was afraid to explain why I needed to be moved, but I needed to have the courage to explain my feelings, and so I walked back to the office with as much strength as I could muster and hoped for the best. The “best” is not exactly what happened. With a co-worker standing very near behind me, I started to ask my manager to move me from produce to a different part of the store. When he asked why, I simply stated that I did not feel up to working in a new part of the store tonight, and that I would like to be moved some where else, that I was feeling very stressed out, and making mistakes. Instead of talking to me about this, privately, I feel as though I was openly berated for a better explanation. I was told, in plain terms, that my explanation was not good enough. Then I was told that I did not like working in any part of the store. I did not understand this, as a few weeks prior, I was so openly praised by all management on my ability to be moved to different parts of the store without much complaint. It was no secret I did not like working in grocery, but I worked in grocery with out a problem or complaint when asked. I was asked several more times in quick succession why, why, WHY I couldn’t just go back and do my job. At this point in time, I felt very, very uncomfortable. My co-worker was still standing behind me, very close behind me, standing, and listening. I feel as though if this were handled a different way, the outcome would have been different. However, it was not. After asking me again, several times, why I couldn’t just do this one thing, I was asked why I was going to cry. At this point in time, I was not crying, and boldly stated “I am not going to cry.” My triggers began, and I promptly said goodbye and walked directly into the handicapped bathroom. As I was walking away, both the manager, and the co-worker were laughing.
I spent the next fifteen minutes in the bathroom dealing with a panic attack. After its completion, I realized I needed to leave. Here is where I made my biggest mistake. I was afraid to be seen by anyone, my manager in particular, because I had indeed been crying, and you could very well tell that’s exactly what I had been doing. I raced to the clock, punched out, grabbed my things, and zig-zagged my way to the front door, and left. Only then did I realize exactly what I had done. Rather than call my manager, (which I should have done) and try to explain, or speak with a different manager, or even wait until morning and talk to you, I left it alone. I don’t know why. But I did. I will regret this for a very long time. I realized that I would be in much trouble the next time I went to work, but I went in anyway. I contemplated never coming back, but I realized that I loved my job so much that was not a choice for me. At the end of the first work-day back, I was pulled into the office and told what was going on with my job. There was no mention of the conversation in the management office, in fact, it was not even brought up. I was almost fired on the spot, but I decided to tell my side of the story. I thought because there was a witness, I would be okay. I was told that it would be investigated, and told that these managers knew nothing about the conversation, only that I had left. Once again, I regret leaving, I regret it 1,000 times over! But it that situation, I felt that I was alone, and that the one person who I was supposed to be able to speak freely to was not able or willing to listen.
After the investigation, I was once again pulled into the office by the same manager that the incident occurred with. I was told he was investigated for harassment, which is something I never wanted, nor asked for. I apologized to him, and told him I did not think he was harassing me. I don’t believe it was harassment, however I do believe that for someone to know an employee has not only a medical condition, but for that person to be of higher authority, and for them to have heard the problems I was having, and still act in a very unprofessional (in my opinion) way, should have at least been noted when the decision was made about my employment. I knew I was getting fired, and did so with grace. I did not object, (which looking back, may have been a mistake), I did not cry, whine, or complain. I accepted what had happened, however I could not live with leaving the only job I have ever known so comfortably, so lovingly. As I left that day, I left with great sadness inside of me. Walmart may only be a job to some people, but that job started to change my life. It gave me not only hope, but the realization that I could work, just like any other normal person, I could earn for myself, support myself, and even a disorder so crippling as my own was not going to hold me back. For the first time in my life, I was learning to handle life, relationships, friendships, people, and I was growing to finally respect myself. In my 21 years on this earth, I had never grown a great self respect because I was never able to do things I needed to do with my life. I was learning life skills, which is more than anyone, or any job, has ever given me before.
After waiting a few days, I decided that I could not let this job just float away because of an incident such as this. That was my first contact with you. I was confident I would be able to explain what exactly happened, show you just how much I cared about my job, this company, and possibly gain a second chance. After setting up an appointment with you, I spent the next 3 days preparing myself, what I was going to say, and how I was going to give you the confidence that I was a quality employee who would be a valuable asset to Walmart. When I walked into the office that morning, I froze. I thought that if I was open about my problem, completely open about my disorder, I would not be allowed to come back for fear I would have problems on the floor. That is not, and never will be, the case. I do not have problems with customers, or co-workers in public situations. Being berated semi-privately while under duress did indeed cause a problem, but never, ever on the floor. I remember repeating what happened to you, several times. That’s all I could think of to say. I remember telling you that my electricity was going to get shut off, in an attempt to show you how desperately I did indeed need this job, but I couldn’t push myself to show how much I needed this job emotionally. Quite frankly, I was a nervous-wreck of a fool, and didn’t do much to help my situation at all. For that, I apologize. I wish I could have said more, done more, but at the point in time, I couldn’t, and the past cannot be changed. I needed you to know how much working there had changed my life, and I couldn’t put it into words. I felt foolish. I had already made a fool of myself once, and I didn’t feel as though exposing my feelings again would help me. But, I digress. What has been done, is done, and I can only say this:
I have reapplied to the company, to your store in particular (1571). I know the store, I remember my job, my duties, and the hard work that I need to put forth to show I appreciate every aspect of my job. I am asking you for a second chance. I am still learning to overcome (as a whole) my anxiety as its something I will have to deal with for the rest of my life, however, had not had a panic attack, or problem since that day. I have learned new ways to cope, and learned how to express myself. I now know that if one person cannot understand, there are many more. I realize that leaving the store is NEVER going to solve a problem, and talking to a manager, or managers, or even you, Brian, is the route that needs to be taken. I am not having any emotional issues that would hinder my work in any way, nor medical. I am no longer taking medications that make me sick, and have become a very strong individual over these few short months. I feel that I would make a great member of the third-shift stocking team if only given a chance. I will work hard, and complete any task given to me. If there is ever a problem, I will come to people within my Walmart, people who are there to help me. I wish I could say there will never be a problem again, but I do not lie, and I will not say something I cannot guarantee. I can guarantee this, I will never take my job for granted. I will never, ever put my job at risk again. I will be the best employee you could possibly have, and I will make you appreciate the fact I am once again working for you. I will bring my all to this company, and help to keep the store top-notch and something that every employee can be proud of, including you. I am ready to make something of myself, ready to take this on, and prove what an exemplary employee I can become. I can only do this with your help. I need you believe in me, as an employee, and as a person. I need you to allow me this second chance at your store, not only a second chance with my employment, but a second chance in moving forward with my life. I cannot imagine having this chance anywhere but Walmart #1571. I hope you read this letter, and take it to heart. I hope you can understand where I am coming from, and where I need to be. I have a passion for this job, a passion that isn’t often seen, especially in retail employees, and I can guarantee you will not regret rehiring me.
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
(my signature is going to go here)
Toastiebear
I can be reached at (xxx) xxx-xxxx
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Should I give this to the store manager? Do you have any constructive advice or critiques?
Comments (52)
I totally understand what you are attempting with this letter, but personally, I wouldn't submit it. My best suggestion is to apply at another store that is near you.
My fear is that you have opened your heart to someone that really isn't going to give a darn. You walked out of the job without giving anyone notice and that will always be something that is remembered.
Be honest when and if you get an interview with another store, but keep it simple. All any manager really wants to know is that you are going to do your job. While your health issues are important to you; it matters very little to a manager.
Good luck and I hope I haven't offended you.
That letter is WAY too long. I honestly wouldn't spend the time to read it if i was the store manager.
@gwacemom@momaroo - Agreed, applying at another store is the best option here i think.
i didn't even read it. way too long.
Getting your job back is going to be difficult since this is a recession and jobs are in high demand. You've made a good case on why you like working there and need your job, but I'm not sure if you made your case on why they need you, which is just as if not more important.
I suggest talking to some job counselors before taking action with this letter. They should be able to provide some good input. You can find counselors typically at your State unemployment office, or they should be able to give you info on where to go. Sometimes the local colleges provide this service too.
Good luck.
I think applying at another store is a bad idea. Walmart will have you in there system. Getting fired most likely means you will not be hired somewhere else.
I say rewrite the letter but keep it short and to the point. They know what went on, they know why you were fired. One or two sentences should recap that, rather than 6 or 7 paragraphs. A manager will never sit down and read that whole letter. I say two paragraphs at most. Briefly recap why you were fired, and then explain why you want the job. Promise the world and maybe you'll get lucky.
I agree..you definitely need to shorten it; it's lengthy!
However, I read it all, and I feel compelled to tell you that I am surprised that you have anxiety over speaking to people! Your letter is so eloquently written. I hate to admit this, but I'm kind of a snob when it comes to writing and often critize, but wow..you did such a good job expressing yourself. If I were the manager, I would be more than happy to offer you your job back. I just hope your former manager doesn't have to deal with a lot of flack from any higher ups regarding hiring you back.
You seem to really love your job, and I commend you for that! Few people can say that about their jobs, myself included. I wish you tons of luck!! If it's not too much trouble, let us know how it goes.
I went through nearly the same thing when I started working at Target. I had been on suicide watch just three months prior to applying, and working there has been almost therapeutic. I can't imagine working anywhere else. If this letter doesn't work out(which it should!) you could always apply at Target. Having Walmart on your application would be a HUGE plus, and you sound like someone who is made for that kind of work :)
I would break up your paragraphs. Make it visual appealing. If he see's all of that mushed together he's going to get frustrated.
I agree with the person above who said try another store.
I've dealt with bosses that looked me straight in the eye with a hospital note saying I had health problems and they didn't give a crap.
You did a great job expressing yourself, but honestly, use your passion somewhere else. Maybe you might be better appreciated. In all retrospect, good luck!
The holiday season is coming up so they might rehire you...
I think you should take out all the information they already know and just state simply why they should rehire you, the progress you have made... that kind of stuff.
Also try not to say things like "I do not lie." Your character should speak for itself without you having to say what kind of person you are.
I tried to read this from the perspective of a manager considering a potential employee, and to be honest, I couldn't get through your entire letter in one read, I got 3/4 of the way through, and I kept searching for a reason why at all I should consider you. A manager wants very few things from their employees, hard work, positive attitude, dependability, and personal responsibilty. I understand you have issues that you are dealing with, and that they limit your performance. I understand what it means to attempt to overcome a problem others don't normally have. But the manager is going to read this letter and see your issue as a convenient excuse and a possible liability, instead of as a personal struggle that you have overcome in a way that gives you personal strength and traits that make a good employee. Your letter contains many successes, and it reminds them of your failures as well. After every failure, you blame your personal issues. Those issues probably are the cause or a factor of those failures, but what the manager wants to hear these words. "I take responsibility for my failures, and this is what I learned and why those failures won't be repeated. I will probably make a mistake in the future, and I will try to resolve that mistake to the best of my ability." In this letter, I just don't see that. Sorry.
I think it would be good if you could edit this a bit. It is far too long.
@xsimplepleasuresx@xanga - Yes, I agree. That would be a great way of getting the right message across.
As another person with panic disorder, I understand what you're going through, but even I couldn't read the whole thing. Like others have said, it means a lot to you, but the manager isn't going to care that much past the fact you couldn't handle your duties and you walked out without notifying anyone. Apply to another store or try to get rehired there, simply stating that you have further seeked treatment for an anxiety disorder and feel better.
I agree with everyone else. I'm sure you can get the same message across by shortening the letter. I think it's also far too personal and I feel like that may be a problem.
cut it down to 8 sentences.
best advice ever
when are you planning on turning it in? i think it's important to give thourough details of what happened, but also to show that you're able to handle the job and what things you've learned from this incident. i have more tips so if you'd like to hear from please message me
I would cut it off. It's too long and the longevity of the note makes me feel as if you're just coming up with excuses and/or meandering from your main point.
Just use the first, according to you, 7 sentences. Although I'd break them up into correct sentences. You have run-ons the size of marathons. Don't talk at all about your mental disorders...
It's not a good way to get your job back.
Good luck!
I'm an editor - that's what I do for a living - and the first thing I would say is: the letter is much, much too long. Though I appreciate what you are trying to do, you must cut the letter by at least 75% if there is any chance that it will be read in its entirety.
Think about what you are trying to do with your letter: do you want the manager to pity you? Or to see why things went awry the last time you worked there? I think the most important thing is to show them how motivated you are, and what you have done to overcome your problem. Be specific! For example, when you say you have been "working on" your issues, what does that mean? Are you in therapy? Do you have support at home?
Make sure you don't go into too much detail about all the things that happened at work and don't talk about your anxiety disorder so much - it just emphasizes the fact that you may NOT be able to do your job properly. Just explain briefly how you are planning to deal with these types of situations in the future. The main thing is to show your manager how motivated you are to do a good job. Four short paragraphs should be enough to do that. Good luck!
I wish you the best of luck....I am glad I am not the only person who doesn't think Walmart is evil. Out of my retail jobs, Walmart was the best one!
Definately shorten it. Don't go into too much personal details. Just explain in a few sentences what your problems are and how you are fixing them/dealing with them so that they will not affect your job performance. The manager doesn't want to hear your whole life story. Managers tend to be heartless a lot of times.
That is quite a story you tell there. I have worked for Wal-Mart myself and can see why you would want your job back. I will be direct in saying that I would never give that letter to the Manager. It will not help you get your job back, and will probably succeed in making the situation worse. I am a Dep. Director with employees under me. If I received that letter, I would not rehire the person that gave it to me. That is just how it is. It makes you sound like a liability. If you are intent on working at this store and not another store in the area I would write another letter. Leave out all the (wo is me stuff) and focus on the facts of the story, your desire to work there, and your dedication while you were employed there. Keep the letter simple. Hope everything works out for you but remember that all things happen for a reason.
That letter is far too long. Remember that the person you are sending this to is a hiring manager and not a therapist. In my opinion, this letter does little other than highlight your emotional instability and make you seem like a liability to the company. I doubt that the manager would really care about your feelings or that he would even finish reading the letter as it is now.
Were I in your position, I would find another work environment similar to Walmart where you can start fresh, with no negative feelings or memories following you through your work day. If you do find it necessary to send a letter I would shorten it to no more than a page, and base it more on the facts of what happened rather than your feelings. Managers are busy people and will likely have little time to read anything much longer. Remember than Walmart is a corporation and is probably not too concerned with the feelings of one former employee.
I wish you the best of luck in finding a position that works for you. But from the sound of things, Walmart is definitely not that place. I'm surprised you would want another chance to work there after the way they treated you in the first place. Good luck.
VERY long. And the one paragraph is like an essay in itself.
I hear where you're comin from. I don't disagree with the letter, but I would leave a lot of the personal things, i.e, your dad, out of it. It's up to a manager to distance themselves, they're not there to make friends. Keep it straight to the point.
You are clearly very dedicated, but I agree with all the other comments. You need to shorten the letter and focus less on your problems, while focusing more on what makes you a valuable employee. I really do hope you get your job back, especially since it's done you so much good.
However, applying at another store will be useless. All that Walmart will know is you walked out without notice, were fired, and that was that. They will not care about why it happened, only that it did.
That's a long letter. It sounds like you were unfairly dismissed. Clocking out early just the one time should be insufficient cause to be fired. Don't Walmart have procedures for this?
It's outrageous that you got fired for clocking out early unauthorised once and 2 conversations with a manager who can't recall the first conversation.
Workplace managers and personnel people are seldom ever concerned with feelings and emotion. They only care about the job being done as cheaply as possible. Because of this, the recipient of your letter may not understand your feelings.
Say in the letter only what needs to be said. If the recipient of your letter already knows details of your past at the company, then just stick to the facts about the past. Generally it's best for a letter to be one page long.
Good luck