Complaint Review: WalMart SuperCenter - Spruce Pine North Carolina

How can you blame Wal-mart as a whole for spreading this gossip? You need to lay the blame where it belongs: on the nosey, gabbing people that your husband works with. Although, to be honest, it IS human nature to be concerned for and discuss other humans' situations. Don't think that those people are saying anything bad about you. And I understand that sometimes pity feels worse than contempt but you just can't let that get to you. You have enough to deal with. Don't let a few bored house wives get you so upset. Next week they'll have something else to talk about. For all of you saying to boycott Wal-mart over Amanda's situation, I have one question for you: Who will pay for Amanda's son's food and shelter if her husband's place of employment shuts down? Take a look at the big picture every now and then...

How can you blame Wal-mart as a whole for spreading this gossip? You need to lay the blame where it belongs: on the nosey, gabbing people that your husband works with. Although, to be honest, it IS human nature to be concerned for and discuss other humans' situations. Don't think that those people are saying anything bad about you. And I understand that sometimes pity feels worse than contempt but you just can't let that get to you. You have enough to deal with. Don't let a few bored house wives get you so upset. Next week they'll have something else to talk about. For all of you saying to boycott Wal-mart over Amanda's situation, I have one question for you: Who will pay for Amanda's son's food and shelter if her husband's place of employment shuts down? Take a look at the big picture every now and then...

How can you blame Wal-mart as a whole for spreading this gossip? You need to lay the blame where it belongs: on the nosey, gabbing people that your husband works with. Although, to be honest, it IS human nature to be concerned for and discuss other humans' situations. Don't think that those people are saying anything bad about you. And I understand that sometimes pity feels worse than contempt but you just can't let that get to you. You have enough to deal with. Don't let a few bored house wives get you so upset. Next week they'll have something else to talk about. For all of you saying to boycott Wal-mart over Amanda's situation, I have one question for you: Who will pay for Amanda's son's food and shelter if her husband's place of employment shuts down? Take a look at the big picture every now and then...

How can you blame Wal-mart as a whole for spreading this gossip? You need to lay the blame where it belongs: on the nosey, gabbing people that your husband works with. Although, to be honest, it IS human nature to be concerned for and discuss other humans' situations. Don't think that those people are saying anything bad about you. And I understand that sometimes pity feels worse than contempt but you just can't let that get to you. You have enough to deal with. Don't let a few bored house wives get you so upset. Next week they'll have something else to talk about. For all of you saying to boycott Wal-mart over Amanda's situation, I have one question for you: Who will pay for Amanda's son's food and shelter if her husband's place of employment shuts down? Take a look at the big picture every now and then...

Rhonda, The statement you made below is absolutely wrong, and in violation of federal privacy act rules and HIPPA. A supervisor/manager DOES NOT have the right to have ANY details of the nature of your illness or medical proceedures being performed. They think they do, but they don't. If you VOLUNTEER that information, that is YOUR CHOICE. But they cannot demand it. You DO have a right to privacy on ANY medical issue. Your medical records are CONFIDENTIAL. Legally, a note from a doctor is all it takes. >> For example: To whomever it may concern, Date: Ms. Jones is currently under my care. She must have 3 days off work for an outpatient procedure and recovery time. On the third day I will re-examine her and release her back to work if all goes well. If there are any further work restrictions I will identify them on the return to work authorization. Please understand that Ms. Jones medical condition and medical records are confidential, and any further information will require a medical release signed by Ms. Jones, as per federal law. Thank you, Dr. Smith >> That's all it takes. >> You wrote: "Supervisors at all companies are privy to private information. ***Some of you seem to live in lala land and think that you can give a general answer to supervisors when you need to be out of work.*** I once worked a state office. I had 2 or 3 hospitilizations for gynelogical problems one year***. I did not hide the fact; however, my manager demanded to know 'exactly' what was wrong and if the hospitilization in question would 'fix' the problem. Supervisors should be held to a higher standard--gossip exists, but in the case of this unfortunate lady, would not have started if a SUPERVISOR had not opened his mouth. At the very least, any member of management who repeated the incident should be reprimanded and an apology should be given to the family". >>

First of all, you poor women. I have nothing but complete and total empathy for you. I am so sorry you had this experience to begin with, and then to have to deal with this situation now. It is a real shame. True, your husband did not need to give details, but he was in shock and the manager should have kept his/her mouth shut. To James, you know, this whole n**i this n**i that thing makes me really mad. As a Jewish woman, and someone whose family endured the Holocaust, it sickens me that every time we dislike something or someone they become "n**i." That belittles what the real n**i's did. Wal Mart is bad, but do they kill 6 million people in ethnic cleansing? No? Then they are not n**i's. Some politicians are a holes. But do they kill 6 million people? No? Not n**i's then. Come up with a new term, will you?

I have news for you. "My wife has been hurt & is in the emergency room" is NOT a generic answer and IS a perfectly acceptable reason for having to leave. That is not lala land, that's a fact. If pressed for more, one can always say, "I don't have the details yet" or something like that.

I stopped shopping at NAZIMART because Their Door Greeters are rude and nasty. I also know from some good sources that their employees are not treated fairly. So to the person I am responding to. I offer my understanding and support. I hope NAZIMART learns to clean up their act. if they don't then boycott. I think we need a website to promote Boycotting NAZIMART for their invasion of privacy antics. How dare they broadcast this to others. As for the insensitive clowns that claim its not an invasion of privacy. Well they are NAZIMART puppets on a string. Good Luck to you jim

First, I am so sorry that this happened to you. Secondly, for all of those who have said that it was the husband's fault, you are wrong. He did nothing wrong. I am sure that he was in a state of shock when his wife called. His first thought was probably that he had to get home. The supervisor's question if he would be back after he looked into the situation reveals what kind of a jerk he is-----who on earth would think you would come back to work after learning that your wife was raped is a jerk. I think that destroys the idea that he could have just said, "I need to go due to an emergency at work." The husband should be praised for leaving immediately and going to his wife, not criticized. Supervisors at all companies are privy to private information. Some of you seem to live in lala land and think that you can give a general answer to supervisors when you need to be out of work. I once worked a state office. I had 2 or 3 hospitilizations for gynelogical problems one year. I did not hide the fact; however, my manager demanded to know "exactly" what was wrong and if the hospitilization in question would "fix" the problem. Supervisors should be held to a higher standard--gossip exists, but in the case of this unfortunate lady, would not have started if a SUPERVISOR had not opened his mouth. At the very least, any member of management who repeated the incident should be reprimanded and an apology should be given to the family. This family has enough to deal with. They should not have to think about whispers. No, this woman has nothing of which to be ashamed; however, out society treats differently than a stabbing or other crime. Think about the TV shows you see where the rape victim is put on trial. My best friend was raped when we were in college. Even the police treated her like she did something wrong. Her assailant received more prison time for a property crime than for the rape. Until society and law enforcement, encluding the entire judicial system, treat rape differently. the crime will continue to be underreported and live in the shadows. God bless you. I wish you the best in attempt to deal with this tragedy.

I hope they catch that sorry excuse for a human being. That being said...if only your husband had left it at, "My wife's been hurt & she's in the emergency room." That would've been plenty enough reason to have to leave work on an emergency. Don't say any more than you have to - you know how people are!

First of all, I'm sorry this happened to you Amanda. I've been in your situation and it's not an easy one. Yes, police reports are public record, but police can choose to withhold names if they feel there is a risk of the victim's safety. Regardless of this, the police report would NOT have been available for all to see the very next day after the rape. So the asst manager at Walmart would have had to spread the gossip. And while there may not be anything illegal about it (and I didn't see anything that said Amanda was filing a lawsuit, so I don't know why that was brought up??), it is against company policy for the manager to go yapping around the store about an employee and his/her family. My husband also works for Walmart. They have an open door policy. This states that you can complain to managers about whatever without fear of retaliation. And while this policy may be geared more towards work issues, I don't see why something of a personal nature wouldn't fall under the same jurisdiction so to speak. And his managers do ask what the nature of the emergency is. Many times, managers make it seem that if you don't disclose the information, then they will "write you up" for leaving work early without good reason. I've known employees who left for true emergency situations that were written up for leaving early with letting a manager know the entire situation. Those of you saying Amanda need not be ashamed are right. However, she shouldn't have to be stared at and whispered about when she goes in the store. And also, despite the fact that there is no need for shame, rape causes shame. I don't care who you are or what the circumstances were, it is invasive emotionally, mentally, physically, and psychologically; it is a debilitating, and humiliating crime. Unless you have been there, please don't pass judgement.

Amanda, it is really sad what happened to you. I'm glad you are are alive and this rapist didn't kidnap or kill you. I hope and pray that this man didn't jeopardize your health and that the police catch him. Also, I agree with you, the manager or boss should have kept his mouth shut. Stay strong and God bless.

While it was completely inappropriate for your husband's boss to tell everyone at the store what had happened to you when the situation was so private, it is gossip and it is going to happen. It is not Wal Mart's fault, you can't blame the entire company for one manager's lack of sensitivity to personal situations. And if you can, it would be a pretty immature law suit. Gossip happens, awkwardness happens, my question is why aren't you focusing instead on finding the rapist instead of a vendetta against Wal Mart?

Try putting yourselves in my shoes....youd feel like it was an invasion too.

I dont care what any of you people say. Walmart giving out that information was WRONG. The police were called and even though I went to the hospitol the dumba** manager had no right to tell EVERYONE that worked there. He should have told the store manager the following morning and thats it. Not the stockers, cashiers, etc. That ONE assistant manager that was called and the actual store manager are the only people that should have known. And all rapes are not made public. The police were called but I declined to have anything in the newspaper. Being raped is very personal even if it is a crime and if you dont want your name in the paper beside a rape report believe me you dont have to let them. This was a crime and I dont care what any of you say. If it had happened to you or your daughter or your wife, Im sure youd feel a lot different. Try putting yourself in other peoples positions. Walmart is the sorriest company in the world to work for. They dont give a s**t about their associates and their families. All they care about is making another million dollars and not paying their workers s**t.

Maybe you just left out the part about calling the police because it's really not the subject of the report? I sure hope so, if you were raped the police need to be involved immediately. Hopefully they can catch whoever it was and keep them from raping anyone else. Please tell me you called them as soon as you came to.

I read about rapes all the time, and names are included. You can even see it on the news! It is a crime and she was the victim of a crime. Nothing to be ashamed of there. Absolutely nothing. That is what rape counseling is for! Get real! The ONLY time I saw names withheld is if the victim is a minor. And, I can absolutely GUARANTEE you that privacy act laws WERE NOT broken here. There are very few things that are privacy act protected anymore. The victim's husband volunteered the information to the company. The husband is at fault here for not keeping his big mouth shut! It makes no difference what the nature of the emergency is! If they pressed him he should have just said it is "of a personal and confidential nature" or "my wife was the victim of a crime" or "my wife was assaulted/robbed" and is in the emergency room. That's it. The word rape NEVER had to be used. So what. He get's fired from Wal mart! Big deal. They would be doing him a favor! Maybe it's time to get a union job so you won't have that problem.

What I will be willing to bet is, WalMart asked Sandra's husband about the nature of the emergency. Not that it is their business, but having had worked for a big box store such as WalMart, giving a supervisor a reason of "it's an emergency" and nothing else probably wouldn't fly. Think about it Steve. I had employees tell me that the fact that their parents pet was being taken to the vet because it was sick constituted an "emergency". If WalMart asked for the information to put in Sandra's husband's employee file, or if ANYTHING that her husband told his supervisor went into his employee file (which it probably did) then they violated employee privacy by revealing facts contained in an employee's employment file. It is against the law for an employer to reveal certain aspects of an employment file, especially to other staff. Also, Sandra is right-rapes are public information such as the crime itself. Names are always kept private to protect a victim. Sandra-I wouldn't suggest filing a lawsuit or anything over this as it will take time, money and drag you through the pain again. I would recommend that your husband report this to the General Manager and/or corporate.

Steve, While Crime may be public record, The names of RAPE VICTIMS are NOT!!! The Wal Mart Manager should be FIRED immediately. I would be interested in hearing what the corporate offices have to say about their Blabber Mouth Jerk of a manager.

Amanda, Rape is a crime. Crime reports are public information. As soon as you went to the hospital it became public. They are required by law to notify law enforcement for an investigation. And, most rapes that are reported end up in the newspaper anyway. You husband should not have elaborated on the details. He should have simply said there is an emergency at home and I have to go. That's it. Although it was in bad taste for the WalMart managers to tell everyone what happened, it was not illegal in any way. That is not confidential information as protected under privacy act laws. It was a crime. And, being raped is nothing to be ashamed about. This is a common misconception. Be sure to get some professional rape counseling.