Fired for being a good samaritan
By vjenkins86
@vjenkins86 (1478)
United States
April 28, 2010 4:01pm CST
Two men who work at a mall were on their break when a security guard requested their assistance in pursuing a shoplifter. Once the shoplifter was caught and taken care, the two men were fired because of their participation. Now, I don't know about you, but the bravery- especially now when people would rather turn their backs than put themselves in danger- these two men demonstrated should be rewarded not punished by being fired.
According the article, they were fired because it is the company's policy that employees don't run after shoplifters. However, if they are on a lunch break and the incident happened at another store, should they still be punished under this policy?
If you want to read more about it, I found this story at www.inc.com, headline is Employees Fired for Pursuing Alleged Shoplifter.
5 people like this
7 responses
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
28 Apr 10
I do not think they should have been fired, they were pursuing shop lifters from another store, and unless the general mall policy for employees is to not go after shoplifters, I see no need in firing the men. Of course also if said policy was in effect, the men should be made aware of it and thus should not be fired but merely given a reprimand or warning.
@vjenkins86 (1478)
• United States
28 Apr 10
That's a good point. I didn't even think about that. What ever happened to reprimands or warnings? Interesting.
@cmjune76 (273)
• United States
28 Apr 10
I just read this article over at Yahoo news. Policy is policy; as crazy as it is. Big business is all about taking care of themseselve-only.
@vjenkins86 (1478)
• United States
28 Apr 10
Unfortunately that is so true. Thank you for responding.
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
28 Apr 10
That is awful and if it happened around here, I'd protest and no longer shop there until these men get their jobs back..
@cream97 (29086)
• United States
28 Apr 10
Hi, vjenkins86. That is not fair at all! How can they fire these two men? They did not do anything wrong at all! Okay, what if something happened when they were not on their lunch break that was very dangerous? An incident could have happened so badly that they would have to protect themselves or someone else. This is very dumb.
I guess they would be fired then? The company was very crazy for doing something like this. These men did a heroic thing here! I would take pride in them risking their lives for someone else. And they helped out a part of the law officials as well. This is so sad that they were fired.. It is not a good reason to fire anyone..
I guess they would be fired then? The company was very crazy for doing something like this. These men did a heroic thing here! I would take pride in them risking their lives for someone else. And they helped out a part of the law officials as well. This is so sad that they were fired.. It is not a good reason to fire anyone..@vjenkins86 (1478)
• United States
28 Apr 10
I completely agree. It is not a good reason to fire anyone. It is a crazy way companies work when heroes are punished.
@arreolabryan (856)
• Philippines
28 Apr 10
maybe the shoplifters are part of the earning process of the mall. That is why they protect them rather than the people who helps.
@ericpapasit (1274)
• Philippines
28 Apr 10
vjenkins, sometimes we don't understand.... but the reality is that the system of the world now is getting worse. But don't be discouraged at this because if you believe on God then you also so believe that all injustice and unfairness will be judged. So take a heart, don't stop to do good and God in heaven will bless you.
@vjenkins86 (1478)
• United States
28 Apr 10
Thank you for your response. You make some profound points.
