He seems happy, though
Posted on 01/12/2010 11:37:50 AM PST by greatdefender
PALM BAY, Fla. -- A Walmart greeter who was shown on video getting punched by a customer has been fired.
Ed Bauman, 69, said the act of defending himself cost him his job.
Bauman went into Walmart hoping to get back to work for the first time since police said he was punched by a customer. Instead, Bauman said he was fired. His termination notice called the incident an act of "gross misconduct" and accused Bauman of fighting with a customer.
"They told me I did a good job of defending myself," said Bauman. "Then they turned around and fired me. I guess they just wanted me to stand there and get beaten."
On Dec. 26, a customer in red shorts set off an alarm while leaving the store. Bauman followed the man to get his license number. The man got angry and took Bauman's clipboard. Bauman said he tried to get it back and leaned into the customer who took a swing. Bauman said he swung back in order to defend himself.
Police said Bauman acted within his rights and was not charged. The customer was charged with a felony. Video of the punch also drew a lot of attention on WESH and WESH.com.
Walmart representatives did not comment on the firing.
The customer also claimed to be acting in self-defense. He accused Bauman of using a slur against him.
I’d sue. It seems to me that merchants can use force to thwart theft.
One more reason never to shop at Chi-Mart
He seems happy, though
“He accused Bauman of using a slur against him.”
I was confused by this story. That line at the end clears it up.
Walmart has descended into third world country.
Was he just supposed to stand there and let somebody pound on him, until he collapsed? Or what?
“he customer also claimed to be acting in self-defense. He accused Bauman of using a slur against him.”
Since when does one have to physically defend themselves against a slur?
What BS.... the greeter was protecting Walmart from getting ripped off, gets assaulted by a customer and his self defense gets him fired. Garbage management-—someone will hire this man and give him a raise. This Walmart sounds like a good spot for the next Tea Party gathering.
For once I am on the side of the employee.
He didn’t initiate the contact and didn’t attempt to stop the (apparent) thief.
When the perp put his hands on the Walmart employee, all bets were off.
Or does Walmart expect their greeters to just stand there and take a pounding from anyone and everyone who walks through the door?
He should get a BONUS for protecting the interests of the store.
I don’t see that the Walmart greeter did anything wrong. The customer was probably just pissed-off about the alarm going off.
Wal-Mart is just another globalizing harlot like Home Depot.
When you enter their stores, you leave America behind.
I they go to Hell with Ikea.
“The customer also claimed to be acting in self-defense. He accused Bauman of using a slur against him.”
Race card? If so, what a shock! /sarc
WalMart should owe him a safe workplace. Since they cannot provide that, they should be sued. Big time...
They don’t want employees to engage with customers — good way for the store to be on the wrong end of a lawsuit. Another story said he violated company policy by following the “customer” to the parking lot.
Or does Walmart expect their greeters to just stand there and take a pounding from anyone and everyone who walks through the door?
According to trial lawyers the answer is yes. See Papa Johns/Pizza Hut policy concerning pizza delivery men being armed. Their only response is not to deliver pizza to certain neighborhoods, which brings claims of racial profiling. Its a never ending circle jerk bestowed on us by our liberal elite.
Get your s**t and get out!
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