4 Walmart employees fired after disarming gunman

[rdcrags]

Decisions like this one are why so many employees' gag reflexes are triggered whenever they hear the CEO talk about how their people are the company's most valuable assets. The brass can't figure out why, after giving that speech, these ungrateful folks don't work harder, and why turnover is so high.

Yeah. I worked for a huge company that one January said that one of the top priorities of the year will be to become "the employer of choice". Two months later, 20% of the employees were converted to contract basis in order to save on the cost od benefits. Go figure.

[Excaliber]

Decisions like this one are why so many employees' gag reflexes are triggered whenever they hear the CEO talk about how their people are the company's most valuable assets. The brass can't figure out why, after giving that speech, these ungrateful folks don't work harder, and why turnover is so high.

Yeah. I worked for a huge company that one January said that one of the top priorities of the year will be to become "the employer of choice". Two months later, 20% of the employees were converted to contract basis in order to save on the cost od benefits. Go figure.

In my experience, every time the leadership makes that "employer of choice" speech, layoffs follow within 6 months. If you hear it at your company, polish up the resume and ramp up your networking. You're gonna need both.

[Abraham]

My former company often referred to employees as "family" and many of them seemed to buy this bit of hokum.

Presumably, our employer thought if they repeated this propaganda often enough many would believe it and maintain company loyalty.

I think this kind of thing is why so many feel emotionally distraught when they got laid off...after all, they were family and families don't lay off their own...right?

It's helpful to remember, if your employer spouts the "family" claptrap line, you're really just another unit of labor and it's best to keep that in mind.

I have no quarrel with being a "unit of labor" - if fact I'd rather be considered such than hear some company official try to schmooze me with how we're all one big family.

My eye...

[boba]

Most retail chains figure that the workers' compensation payout for a dead or seriously injured employee is cheaper than a liability suit by a customer or even a shoplifter injured by the direct actions of an employee.

The incident described in this post comes from what I call "beancounter morality" - the sad set of priorities that come from putting money ahead of everything else, including the safety and welfare of employees.

When society makes companies pay off shoplifters who get hurt, instead of tossing out the lawsuit and locking up the thief, I think it's unfair to blame a company for respecting that society's wishes.

When society prosecutes people for coming to the aid of third parties, I think it's unfair to blame a CHL for respecting that society's wishes.

[Oldgringo]

Most retail chains figure that the workers' compensation payout for a dead or seriously injured employee is cheaper than a liability suit by a customer or even a shoplifter injured by the direct actions of an employee.

The incident described in this post comes from what I call "beancounter morality" - the sad set of priorities that come from putting money ahead of everything else, including the safety and welfare of employees.

When society makes companies pay off shoplifters who get hurt, instead of tossing out the lawsuit and locking up the thief, I think it's unfair to blame a company for respecting that society's wishes.

When society prosecutes people for coming to the aid of third parties, I think it's unfair to blame a CHL for respecting that society's wishes.

Hmmm Good point.

[ss1088]

Getting fired from Walmart is more of a blessing than a punishment. I am sure they will be able to fine equal or better employment without much fuss.

[tallmike]

Well, I sent Wal-Mart a message this morning expressing my displeasure at them firing these folks. Their response is below:

Dear Mike,

Thank you for your recent inquiry regarding a group of associates who were recently terminated.

While we appreciate the intentions demonstrated by our associates in this situation, their actions put their own safety - and potentially the safety of our customers and other associates - in jeopardy. In their roles within the store, they were aware of our expectations regarding safety and, unfortunately, their actions have led to them no longer working for the company.

Sincerely,
Walmart Customer Care

[Beiruty]

Well, I sent Wal-Mart a message this morning expressing my displeasure at them firing these folks. Their response is below:

Dear Mike,

Thank you for your recent inquiry regarding a group of associates who were recently terminated.

While we appreciate the intentions demonstrated by our associates in this situation, their actions put their own safety - and potentially the safety of our customers and other associates - in jeopardy. In their roles within the store, they were aware of our expectations regarding safety and, unfortunately, their actions have led to them no longer working for the company.

Sincerely,
Walmart Customer Care

Copy and paste.

[Jasonw560]

If they were in a back room, how many customers were in harm's way?

[Texas_Tactical]

This reminds me...we just went through "de-escalation" training at work. Basically, if some one is physically aggressive towards you, you turn and run.

I would boycott walmart if it wasnt the end all place to shop.

[alvins]

i remember working in retail and we were told to never try to stop somone leaving the store with somthing; and to just call the police.

i do very little shopping at wallmart so i couldnt protest them much more.

besides have you seen the people who frequent walmart?they need their own store.

[cheezit]

i remember working in retail and we were told to never try to stop somone leaving the store with somthing; and to just call the police.

i do very little shopping at wallmart so i couldnt protest them much more.

besides have you seen the people who frequent walmart?they need their own store.

they do have there own website.

[Texas_Tactical]

I think this is only necessary before letting this thread die. http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[alvins]

thanks cheezit and texas_tactical lol.

[stevie_d_64]

I assume WalMart is big enough to accept the consequenses of supporting criminals who might be intending on causing harm to its customers...

The liability is deafening!!!

As long as I carry concealed, they'll never know how utterly safer they are when I patronize their establishment...

And I will continue to nurture and support those who have not made the CHL leap to do the same...