Posted on 12/29/2007 6:08:47 AM PST by madprof98
Ann Arbor, Mich. - A grocery store worker says he lost his job after he tried to stop a shoplifter from making a getaway.
But the company says he went too far and violated a policy that prohibits employees from physically touching a customer - even if that person is carrying a bag of stolen goods.
John Schultz, 35, of Ypsilanti Township, had worked at the Whole Foods Market store for five years, most recently as a fishmonger. He wants his job back.
"The fact that I worked at the store at [the time of the robbery] is coincidental," he said. "If I had went over to the bookstore on my break and they were being ripped off, I would have helped them."
Schultz says he had just punched out for a break at 7 p.m. on Sunday when he heard a commotion at the front door of the store. He said he came to the aid of the manager who yelled for help in stopping a shoplifter. Schultz, the manager and another employee cornered the shoplifter between two cars in the parking lot.
Schultz said he told the shoplifter he was making a citizen's arrest and to wait for the police to arrive, but the shoplifter broke away from the group and ran across the street toward a gas station.
Before the man could cross, Schultz caught up and grabbed the man's jacket and put his leg behind the man's legs. When the manager arrived at the intersection, Schultz said, the manager told him to release the shoplifter, and he complied.
Schultz said he was called to the store's office the next day, on Christmas Eve, and was fired because he violated a company policy prohibiting employees from having any physical contact with a customer.
Kate Klotz, a company spokeswoman, said the policy is clear and listed in a booklet that all employees have to acknowledge that they received before they can start work.
"The fact that he touched him, period, is means for termination," said Klotz.
I agree. If they let you walk out with stuff, why pay? If they try to stop, you can sue them.
im from nearby westland mi, and the job situation has gotten desperate,but thats michigan for you. the criminals are running the state, and granholm is no exception
(sarcasm off)
Oh, wait, you've also fallen for all the false/alarmist research that shows that pesticides, preservatives, artificial hormones, artificial colors and flavors are bad for you! You must be very gullible, like me! lol
Oh, wait, you've also fallen for all the false/alarmist research that shows that pesticides, preservatives, artificial hormones, artificial colors and flavors are bad for you! You must be very gullible, like me! lol
Did I also mention that we grind our own flour using organic wheat? That we buy most of our vegetables (we don't have a garden big enough) from an Amish farmer, or that Thanksgiving and Christmas turkey comes from a Mennonite? Neither of them use any chemicals and the turkeys are not much more than a Butterball. (We go to the Mennonite farm in October, pick both turkeys out and within 30 minutes they are killed, plucked, cleaned and ready for the freezer) We have recently round a source for American Bison that is hormone free and are using that in place of beef.
After having several family members die from cancer I can't see any reason to take a chance especially when the organic is available, is almost the same price, and tastes better.
In this specific case, the lowly fishmonger was ordered to help by the manager who was actively pursuing the shoplifter.
Think about what you're suggesting.
I did.
You weren't there, were you? The lowly fishmonger made a decision based on the circumstances and the instructions he had been given by his manager and decided that restraining the shoplifter was the proper course of action.
The police who investigated the incident had no complaint. Why do you?
I wouldn't expect a salesfloor associate to know how to do a police officer's job any more than I would expect a police officer to know how to process inventory for the health and beauty department.
Let's all stand around and get robbed and do nothing about it ourselves. That's what the police are for, isn't is?
You are both correct, and such would form an excellent base for a legal complaint.
No, it's not easy for me to say. It's unfortunate that you were inconvenienced by someone trying to keep from being ripped off, but that's what can happen when criminals think they can get away with crimes.
... you werent the one run over and nearly killed ...
If you think you were wronged by the shoplifter who knocked you down or the employee who ran over you, do something about it aside from bellyaching about people who are tired of being ripped off by shoplifters.
... over someone whod stolen a bottle of white out.
It's not about one particular bottle of white out, it's about being a target for everyone who thinks they can hit you whenever they want because there are no consequences.
Id say something else to your ridiculous response, but its not worth it.
Go right ahead, I don't mind, if it would make you feel better.
bttt
The shoplifter was NOT a customer... He was a thief.
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