Complaint Review: Sam's

After 7 years of working at Sam's, I was fired yesterday.

I was told that the reason for my termination was stealing.

My big heist was eating a riblet that was going to be discarded.

When I was asked to see the store I was told by her that the decision to let me go was not an easy one, and that she thought it over for a long time. I ate the riblet at 130pm. I was in the manager's office at 230pm. She thought about it for a whole hour.

When I told both the manager and quality control employee that managers and employees eat from "demo" trays (food that is meant for the customers, not the trash can) on a regular basis, I was told that managers need to do this to ensure the temperature of the food. That's interesting since on one occasion seafood salad was being eaten. Additionally, during my orientation, I learned that thermometors are used for temperature testing.

The manager informed me that if I would have been on break that my theft would not be an issue. Because I came in at 9am and had not yet taken a lunch or a break, I asked if the time that I ate the riblet could be considered one or the other. The manager did not even entertain this as an option.

I have never been coached, or had any other negative action taken against me as a Sam's employee. I have never been late to work and can count on one hand the times that I have been sick in the last 7 years. I have always received excellent performance appraisals and have enjoyed the highest possible raises that come with yearly performance evaluations.

I am disappointed and hurt that I have been treated this way. There were other steps, including a coaching or taking back the raise I received just this month, that could have been taken in resolving this over-blown situation.

Denise
Clarksville, Tennessee
U.S.A.