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If you are a Dollar General sales associate working 35 hours a week but classified as part-time, your PTO situation is probably different from what you expected when you were hired. Benefits classification at Dollar General determines everything, and the line between part-time and full-time is where most confusion starts. Over 19,000 stores means a huge number of employees dealing with this exact issue.

For Part-Time Sales Associates

  1. Your PTO accrual depends on your official classification, not how many hours you actually work. If your schedule regularly exceeds 30 hours but your status says part-time, your PTO accrual reflects the part-time rate.
  2. Part-time associates may qualify for limited PTO depending on state and local sick leave laws. In states with mandatory paid sick leave (California, New York, New Jersey, and others), Dollar General must provide sick time regardless of your FT/PT classification.
  3. If you believe you should be classified as full-time based on your actual hours, raise the issue with your store manager first. If that goes nowhere, contact Dollar General HR through the Speak Up Line at 1-888-835-5792.
  4. Do not assume your coworkers have the same PTO as you. Even within the same store, classification differences mean two associates working identical hours might have different time-off packages.

For Key Holders and Lead Associates

  1. Key holders and leads typically qualify for full-time benefits, including PTO, if they are classified as full-time. Your accrual rate should be higher than a part-time sales associate.
  2. Scheduling flexibility is more limited at this level. As a key holder, you are one of a small number of people authorized to open and close the store. Taking PTO requires coordination with the other key holders, and some locations run so lean that only one or two people can perform these duties.
  3. Expect pushback on PTO requests during inventory periods, holiday weekends, and any time the store is short-staffed. Dollar General’s lean staffing model means your absence creates a direct and immediate gap.
  4. Track your PTO balance on DGME (webapps.dolgen.net/dgme2/) or through the Workvivo platform (dgme.workvivo.us). If the balance looks wrong, report it before too much time passes. Corrections get harder the longer you wait.

For Store Managers

  1. Store managers at Dollar General receive a more standard PTO package with paid vacation, holidays, and sick time. The exact days vary, but managers generally receive more PTO than hourly store associates.
  2. The challenge for store managers is the same as everywhere else at Dollar General: staffing. Many Dollar General locations are solo-staffed for portions of the day, meaning the store manager is sometimes the only person on shift. Taking a full week of vacation requires advance planning to ensure coverage, and district managers may need to approve the staffing plan.
  3. Your PTO and benefits information is accessible through DGME and Doculivery for pay stubs and tax documents. Open enrollment for benefits runs from October 15 through November 30 each year, with changes taking effect January 1.
  4. If you are a manager considering leaving Dollar General, be aware that portal access is typically revoked at separation. Screenshot or save your PTO balance and any relevant payroll information before your last day.

Paid Holidays at Dollar General

Dollar General provides paid holidays for eligible full-time employees. The specific holidays vary, but typically follow a standard retail calendar. Stores remain open on most holidays, so if you work that day, you may receive holiday premium pay depending on your classification and local policy.

Part-time associates generally do not receive holiday pay unless state or local law requires it.

The Solo Staffing Problem and PTO

Dollar General’s staffing model is well documented at this point. Many stores operate with a single employee for hours at a time, and the safety and workload concerns have been widely reported. From a PTO perspective, this means every absence has an outsized impact on store operations.

This does not mean you should avoid using your PTO. You have earned it, and the staffing model is the company’s responsibility, not yours. But it does mean you should expect that PTO requests may face more scrutiny here than at a retailer with deeper bench strength.

The Solo Staffing Problem and PTO

Dollar General’s staffing model is well documented at this point. Many stores operate with a single employee for hours at a time, and the safety and workload concerns have been widely reported. From a PTO perspective, this means every absence has an outsized impact on store operations.

This does not mean you should avoid using your PTO. You earned it, and the staffing model is the company’s responsibility, not yours. But it does mean you should expect that PTO requests may face more scrutiny here than at a retailer with deeper bench strength.

Open Enrollment and Benefits Timing

Dollar General’s open enrollment period runs from October 15 through November 30 each year. Changes you make during this window take effect on January 1. This applies to health insurance, dental, vision, and other benefits, not just PTO.

If you miss the open enrollment window, you generally cannot make changes until the next year unless you experience a qualifying life event (marriage, birth of a child, loss of other coverage). Mark those dates on your calendar. The DGME portal and Workvivo will post reminders, but it is easy to miss them during the busy fall retail season.

State Sick Leave Laws and Dollar General

Even if your PTO through Dollar General is minimal, you may have additional protections through your state. As of 2026, over 15 states plus numerous cities and counties require employers to provide paid sick leave. These laws apply regardless of your FT/PT classification at Dollar General.

If you work in one of these states, your sick leave accrual may show up as a separate line item from your regular PTO. Check DGME or ask your store manager which time-off categories apply to you based on your location.

How to Check Your PTO Balance

Log into DGME at webapps.dolgen.net/dgme2/ or through Workvivo at dgme.workvivo.us using your Microsoft credentials. Your PTO balance, pay stubs, and tax documents are available under the relevant sections.

A warning about DGME: there are dozens of fake DGME login pages circulating online. Phishing attempts targeting Dollar General employees are extremely common. Always verify you are on the real DGME URL before entering your credentials. If you found the login link through a Google search, double-check the domain. For verified portal links, see the Dollar General login portals guide.

For information on what happens to your PTO when you leave, visit the Dollar General PTO payout when you quit page. The Dollar General company hub covers all workplace topics including the employee discount (20% off, one of the best in retail) and employee benefits.

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