Quitting Dollar General: 7 Things Most Employees Get Wrong

If you have been trying to figure out how to quit Dollar General and feel like you are getting the runaround, you are not the only one. Between the solo-staffed stores, the DGME portal that barely loads half the time, and the fact that a lot of DG employees never get a proper orientation, the resignation process is full of misunderstandings.

Here are the most common myths people believe about quitting Dollar General, followed by what actually happens.

Myth 1: “You Have to Put in Two Weeks or They Won’t Pay You”

The truth: Dollar General is an at-will employer. You can quit today, right now, mid-shift if you want. They cannot withhold your pay for leaving without notice. Federal law (and every state law) requires that you be paid for all hours worked, regardless of how you resigned.

That said, quitting without notice affects your rehire eligibility. Your store manager enters a separation code in the system, and “voluntary resignation without notice” is a different code than “voluntary resignation with notice.” If you ever want to come back to DG (or any of their 19,000+ locations), the code follows you.

Two weeks is the expectation. It is not a legal requirement.

Myth 2: “I Can Resign Through DGME”

The truth: There is no self-service resignation option on DGME (webapps.dolgen.net/dgme2/) or the newer Workvivo platform (dgme.workvivo.us). You cannot digitally submit a resignation.

Here is how to actually resign, step by step:

1. Tell your Store Manager in person. If you are at a solo-staffed store and your Store Manager is not there, call them.
2. Hand them a written note or send a text confirming your last day. Keep a copy.
3. Ask what separation code they plan to enter.
4. Confirm that your shifts after your last day are removed from the schedule, so you do not get marked as a no-show.

If you cannot reach your Store Manager (this is a real problem at DG, where managers cover multiple stores), call your District Manager or the Speak Up Line at 1-888-835-5792. Your resignation needs to be entered by someone with system access, and you need documentation that you gave notice.

Myth 3: “If You Just Stop Showing Up, It’s the Same as Quitting”

The truth: No-call/no-show for consecutive shifts gets coded as job abandonment, which is different from a voluntary resignation. Job abandonment is treated like a termination for cause, and it can make you ineligible for rehire. It may also affect your ability to collect unemployment if you need to file later.

Even if you hate the job, even if the store is understaffed and your manager never answers the phone, make the call. One conversation or one text message is the difference between “resigned” and “abandoned.”

Myth 4: “Dollar General Doesn’t Pay Out PTO”

The truth: Whether DG pays out your unused PTO depends entirely on your state.

In states with mandatory PTO payout laws (California, Colorado, Illinois, Montana, Nebraska, and several others), Dollar General must pay your accrued, unused time in your final check. The company has no choice in the matter.

In states without mandatory payout, Dollar General follows its internal policy. Employees who resign with proper notice are more likely to receive a payout than those who walk out. But the policy details are not publicly documented in the same level of detail you would find at a Walmart or a Target.

Check your PTO balance on DGME under your pay information before you give notice. If you cannot get DGME to load (a constant complaint), ask your Store Manager to check for you. For full PTO details, see Dollar General PTO policies.

Myth 5: “You Lose Your 20% Discount the Second You Quit”

The truth: This one is actually close to correct. Your 20% employee discount (one of the highest in retail) deactivates when your employment ends in the system. If your Store Manager processes your separation on your last day, the discount stops that day.

What catches people off guard is that if your manager is slow to process the separation (which happens at under-staffed DG stores), your discount might technically still work for a few days after your last shift. Do not use it. Post-employment purchases on an employee discount are considered unauthorized, and DG’s loss prevention tracks it.

For more on the discount, see Dollar General employee discounts.

Myth 6: “You Can Get Your W-2 From DGME After You Leave”

The truth: Your DGME access is deactivated when your employment ends. Former employees lose access to the portal, including tax documents and pay stubs.

Download everything you need before your last day. Go to DGME > Tax Documents or Doculivery and save your pay stubs and any available tax forms. After separation, you will need to contact Dollar General HR directly for your W-2. It will also be mailed to the address on file by January 31.

Make sure your mailing address is correct in the system before you leave. If you are moving, update it on DGME while you still have access. More at Dollar General W-2 information.

Myth 7: “You Can Never Get Rehired After Quitting”

The truth: Dollar General rehires former employees all the time. With 19,000+ stores and consistently high turnover, they need the bodies.

Rehire eligibility depends on how you left:

1. Resigned with notice, no issues: Eligible almost immediately.
2. Resigned without notice: Short waiting period, often 30 to 90 days.
3. Job abandonment: Longer wait, potentially 6 months to 1 year.
4. Terminated for cause (theft, safety violation): May be permanently flagged.

When you reapply at any DG location, the hiring manager sees your separation code. A clean exit with notice is the fastest path back in.

Your Final Paycheck

Dollar General pays biweekly. Your last check arrives on the next regular payday. Direct deposit continues for the final payment if you had it set up.

State law determines the deadline for your final check. California requires it on your last day (if you gave notice) or within 72 hours. Most other states allow until the next regular payday. Look up your state’s rules at Dollar General final paycheck laws.

Benefits After You Leave

Health insurance: Ends the last day of the month you quit. COBRA notice comes by mail. Given DG’s workforce is heavily part-time, many associates do not have employer health coverage to begin with. If you do, check into Medicaid eligibility after job loss or COBRA coverage options as alternatives.

401(k): If you are enrolled, your balance stays in the plan until you move it.

For the full picture, see Dollar General benefits after termination.

One More Thing: Watch Out for Fake DGME Sites

Dollar General employees are targeted by phishing scams more than almost any other retailer’s workforce. There are dozens of fake DGME login pages designed to steal your credentials. Only use the official URL: webapps.dolgen.net/dgme2/ or dgme.workvivo.us with Microsoft sign-in. Never click a DGME link from a text message, a Facebook post, or an email you were not expecting. Full portal info at Dollar General login portals.

Quitting Dollar General is not complicated on paper. The problems come from under-staffed stores where managers are hard to reach and portals that do not always work. Put your resignation in writing, keep a copy, and download your records before your last day. Everything else is just logistics.

For more Dollar General employee resources, visit the Dollar General employee hub.