Success Stories:
John Payne, Mark Venz, Kris Voss
John Payne, Mark Venz, and Kris Voss have several things in common:
- They each have worked in our Windsor (Wisconsin) Distribution Center between 4 and 6 years.
- They all worked elsewhere first, but prefer working for Walgreens.
- They are well liked by staff and co-workers alike.
- They all are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. John and Mark use sign language. Kris has some hearing and reads lips.
John was the first to join the Walgreens team. He started in 2nd shift Shipping in 1999. Since then, he has worked in Picking, Receiving, and Stocking and on 1st shift. Before joining Walgreens, he took college classes and did assembly and warehouse work. But he found that Walgreens’ pay was better, and the work was more varied. According to John, “Walgreens is different . . . because I can learn all job tasks.”
John liked Walgreens so much that his friend Mark decided to try it too. Mark started in 2nd shift Picking and Stocking over 5 years ago. It took a few months to get used to the physical demands of the work, but now he is used to it. He now works on the 1st shift. According to Mark, his team members are “helpful and friendly.” Some write him notes to “let me know what’s going on.”
Kris is the newest addition. She joined Walgreens over 4 years ago. She had been working in Stocking for another retailer, but her sister told her about Walgreens’ pay and benefits. Kris has worked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd shifts in various Picking and Stocking areas. She says Walgreens is “more challenging and keeps me busy and learning more. . . I love it. Everyone is great.”
The admiration seems to be mutual. Co-worker Mary Miller says John and Kris are “very kind and considerate people with an incredible ability to work through all the challenges put before them. Mike Watson agrees. “I believe it is a great value to have John and Kris as team members. I have learned a valuable life lesson from knowing John, in that, we need to respect and treat all fellow team members as we would like to be treated. I have also learned some basic sign language, which has made me a better person, I feel.”
At first there were concerns that one of the automated trains in the building might hit a team member who can’t hear the warning horn. But this has not been a problem. John, Mark, and Kris are very aware of their surroundings. They have excellent safety records and above-average attendance.”
And the Windsor Distribution Center is a place where they can thrive. Sign language interpreters support large meetings and vital training. Instructions are written down when necessary. A TTY device is available.
Having John, Mark, and Kris on the team has been a win/win for everyone. As Ted Stehly, Human Resources Generalist, put it, all three are “a delight to have working at the Windsor Distribution Center.” And Miller explains that she has been enriched by their presence. They have “given me a new outlook as to the differences we all have and our personal struggles."
