So, you had a rough shift at HEB. Maybe the lines were wrapped around the floral department, or you accidentally dropped a case of those fancy glass-bottled sodas in the warehouse. Now you’re sitting at home, staring at your phone, wondering if your manager was just stressed or if they’re actually filing paperwork against you. It’s a stressful spot to be in. Honestly, the way Texas’s favorite grocer handles discipline can feel a bit like a black box if you aren't familiar with their internal lingo and the "Partner" culture.
Understanding how to know if HEB writes you up isn't always about a literal piece of paper being shoved across a desk. While many people expect a dramatic "sign this" moment, HEB’s Performance Improvement Process (PIP) is often more subtle, at least in the beginning stages.
The Paper Trail: Identifying a Formal Write-Up
HEB doesn't usually call them "write-ups" to your face. They prefer terms like "Performance Improvement Plan" or "Note to File." If you are wondering if a conversation you had in the manager's office was official, think back to the specific language used. Did they mention a "40-rating"?
In the world of HEB, performance is often tracked on a scale. A "40-rating" is the classic red flag. If a manager tells you that you are being placed on a 40-rating, you have been written up. This is a formal disciplinary status that stays on your internal record for a set period, usually six months to a year depending on the severity and whether you’re a repeat offender. You’ll usually be asked to acknowledge this in the Digital Partner Dashboard or sign a physical form in the admin office. If you didn't sign anything or acknowledge a digital prompt, it might have just been a "verbal coaching."
Verbals are the warning shots. They count, but they aren’t the "write-up" that stops you from transferring to another department or getting a raise.
The Digital Partner Dashboard is Your Best Friend
If you're still spiraling and can't remember what was said in the heat of the moment, check your Partner Net. Seriously. Your digital profile is the most honest source of information you have.
Log in to the iDevelop or Performance sections of the internal portal. HEB is big on documentation. If a manager followed the proper HR protocols, that disciplinary action will show up in your history. Look for "Disciplinary Action" or "Performance Notes." If the screen is clear, you might just be in the "documented coaching" phase, which is basically a formal way of saying "don't do it again" without it being a full-blown strike against your employment record.
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Why Your Manager Might Be Acting Weird
Sometimes the vibes are just off. You notice your Lead isn't joking with you anymore, or your hours suddenly got slashed. While a cut in hours isn't technically a write-up, it’s often a precursor. At HEB, managers have a lot of discretion over the schedule. If they’re "writing you up" in their heads but haven't filed the paperwork yet, they might reduce your shifts to see if you quit or if your performance improves with less pressure.
It’s also worth noting the "Commendation" vs. "Documentation" balance. HEB uses a system that tracks both. If you have five "High-Fives" or commendations, a single late arrival (a "Tardy" in HEB-speak) might just get swept under the rug. But if your file is empty and you miss a shift? That’s an automatic occurrence.
The "Occurrence" System and Attendance
Attendance is the most common way people get written up at HEB without realizing it. It’s a points-based system. Most stores operate on a 6-step or 9-step program.
- Tardy: Generally half a point or one point.
- No Call/No Show: This is the nuclear option. Usually, two of these and you're out.
- Called in: One point.
If you hit a certain threshold—usually 6 points—you get a formal "35-rating" or "40-rating." You’ll know you’ve been written up for attendance because the Admin or your Department Manager will call you into the office specifically to "review your occurrences." If you've been called into the office and they’re showing you a list of dates you were late, that is a write-up. They will ask you to sign it. You can refuse to sign, but it doesn't matter; they just note "Partner refused to sign" and the write-up stays active anyway.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Process
A huge misconception is that you can be fired "on the spot" for a first-time mistake. Unless you did something egregious—like theft, physical fighting, or extreme safety violations—HEB almost always follows a progressive discipline path.
They want to keep you. Training new Partners is expensive.
Another myth? That write-ups disappear if you transfer stores. Nope. Your file follows you from San Antonio to Houston and everywhere in between. If you’re on a 40-rating at one store, you’re usually barred from transferring until you’ve "worked off" the rating by having clean performance for 6 months.
High-Stress Situations: The "Investigative Suspension"
This is the big one. If something serious happened—maybe a customer complaint about a "Partner interaction" or a safety incident in the parking lot—you might be put on investigative suspension.
This isn't a write-up yet. It’s a holding pattern.
You’ll be told to go home and that they will call you. You are usually paid for this time if they find you weren't at fault. If they call you back in for a "follow-up meeting," prepare yourself. That is almost always when the formal write-up or termination happens.
Actionable Steps If You Think You’ve Been Written Up
If you are worried about your standing at the store, don't just sit in the breakroom and gossip about it. That usually makes things worse. Instead, take these concrete steps to protect your job and your sanity:
- Request a One-on-One: Ask your Department Manager for a "check-in." Be direct. Say, "I want to make sure I’m meeting expectations. Is there anything on my file I should be aware of?"
- Check Your Occurrence Count: Ask the Admin (the person in the little glass office usually near the front) for your current point total. They are required to give this to you.
- Document Everything: If a manager "coached" you but it felt like a write-up, write down the date, time, and what was said. If you ever need to appeal to HR (Partner Relations), having your own notes is vital.
- Review the Partner Guide: Dig out that handbook you got at orientation. It outlines the specific disciplinary steps for your region.
- Improve Your "Middles": In HEB terms, the "middle" of your shift is where most people slack. Focus on staying busy during the slow hours; managers notice the effort even if they don't say it, and it can often keep a "verbal" from turning into a "written."
The bottom line is that HEB is a massive corporation with very specific HR rules. They don't like surprises. If you're being written up, they are legally and procedurally inclined to tell you clearly, even if the language they use is a bit "corporate-speak." Keep an eye on your Partner Net and keep your communication lines open with your Lead. Most of the time, a single write-up isn't the end of the world—it's just a hurdle.