[BlueFaith]

Well, today was going ok. Then, BAM. Devin (hubby) calls and tells me he just got fired. We just bought a house... moved to a new town (the same town he was transferred to for this same job), and he's the main source of income.

Here's the reason he got fired (another reason I am angry about all of this). He was a loss prevention manager at Lowe's Home Improvement. A woman came into the store and admitted that she just stole some merchandise, felt too guilty about it, and wanted to bring it back into the store. So, Devin told her to wait in the store managers office until he could find someone to handle the situation. He even had another female employee to sit with her just so he didn't have to sit in the same room with her alone.. Anyway, apparently the day before all this happened another loss prevention manager at a different store (in the same district though) had detained someone against their will for stealing something... that's a BIG no-no. Because of this corporate management temporarily banned any member of loss prevention from detaining anyone in ANY way whatsoever. Meaning that if someone stole something then the LP managers couldn't stop them no matter what. And this ban was to stay in effect until further notice. Well, since he asked the lady to sit in the office (NOT against her own will I might add... remember? this woman willingly came back into the store on her own and wanted to give the stuff back)... he got fired for asking her to sit in an office!!!! And he even let her know that she could leave at any time. But she wanted to stay there until the matter was resolved. But, Devin got fired because of it. Makes me so angry. They said he had to be fired because of "technicalities". What a buncha BS! So, now my husband has NO job here during the holidays. Geez..what a depressing day..

[Overcastbutclearing]

((((((((((((((MP))))))))))))))))) (((((DEVIN)))))))
OMG,I am so sorry to hear this news.
Is there anyone higher up @ Lowe's he can talk with?
How can they just fire him without any warnings or find out that the woman came in herself and turned herself in?
How can I help?
I am here Jenn....talk to me

[Fuzzybear]

((((((((((((((((((((MP)))))))))))))))))))))

((((((((((((((((((((Devin)))))))))))))))))))

[jmo531]

(((((((((((((((((Jenn & Devin))))))))))))))))

I am so sorry to hear that this happened. How awful to do this right before the holidays. I think the circumstances surrounding this .
I dont know the "rules" from state to state but since he was "fired", whould it be possible for him to file for umemployment? That could supplement the income at least for a little while until he can find new employment.

Please let me know if you need anything. OK?


Big Huggles,

Jen

[Azalysa]

Oh, Jenn!!!! I am so sorry.

What I don't get is that it sounds like if someone cannot be detained for any reason that shoplifters basically have carte blanche there to come and steal anything. (Unless I'm not understanding that correctly.)

If you want to talk I'm here for ya too, hon.

{{{{{MP}}}}}

[(JD)]

Grrr maybe he can now contact the lady and or have your attorney do so, through Lowe's and get her statement. Maybe just getting an attorney involved will allow the store some insight and only "put him on probation first?" Maybe if he puts it all in writing, at least for his job record (it has to go with any reference given out) that management will see the light?

This isn't the first time this has happened, you aren't the first ppl to be put into this situation... I hope it works out for you better in the end, though I know it is NOT the kind of change anyone asks for! Good wishes.

[dexter]

MP I hope there is something he can do about this. It really sounds like he was fired to "set an example" or really moreso to "prove that they are following the new rules". It is a sort of political correctness that we see too often.

So the problem is where do you draw the line? If someone comes in to use the bathroom and you say "please sit in there" (on the toilet) are you detaining them? Do you have to specifically say "Please remember you are free to leave whenever you want to!" What if you were to say "Please don't leave before you pull up your pants and wash your hands" is that detaining someone?

I understand their wanting to set the bar really really low for a while to cover themselves while this previous event blows over. But this seems way out of line since the woman came back in. She basically came in and said "please let me talk to the manager" and he said "wait here and the manager will be with you" and the fact that it was about stolen goods should be irrelevant.

What would his alternative be? "Please wait out in the parking lot and I'll get the manager." (again, irrelevant of the stolen goods). That would be horrible customer service in general, I'm sure not in tune with their policy.

Given the fact that you moved for this job and bought a house for this, maybe he can speak to the manager and get reinstated. I would hope so. If not then the world is going to pieces.

Maybe I could go to Lowes and sue them, making the case that they are "detaining me" by having me wait in the checkout line. Maybe we should all do this in protest.

I'm sure the detaining thing is a real and serious issue for them and they want to make sure there is no abuse in addition to preventing even frivolous law suits, but like I said there has to be some semblance of individual thought and consideration applied to each case.

[BlueFaith]

Thanks everyone... you all are so very kind. Thanks for all the supportive PM's I got, too.

Anyway, the store manager from Lowe's called Devin yesterday. He said he was sorry things happened the way they did, but he couldn't do anything about it all becuase it was out of his hands...the decision to fire Dev was made by corporate management. Dex, I believe he was fired to set an example, too. The managers at Lowe's know that this woman came back in herself to return the stolen things. And Devin was just being courteous! You're right, Dex! What was he going to do??!?!? Ask her to wait in the parking lot?? Geez! But, "technically" (), just because he LET her wait in the building after stealing something... then it's detainment. That's just insane, IMHO. And, YES, you're right, Azalysa. For the time being, shop lifters can walk into Lowe's in my town (and the surrounding areas) and just steal without being stopped! As crazy as this company is, maybe Dev is better off finding employment elsewhere.

The good news Yes! There's good news! Yesterday evening Devin called the local sheriff's department and asked about a job, and since he has experience, they are going to hire him! Woo hoo! Before Lowe's he worked at a prison as a corrections officer. So, that's WONDERFUL news. I am ecstatic!! Everyone pray, keep your fingers crossed, wish on stars, send good thoughts... just whatever it is you do best!!! Thanks to all of you for being so kind!

[Overcastbutclearing]

PRAISES AND WISHES!
That is wonderful news about the sheriff's office.
Let us know how that works out for him!
Perhaps this crazy mess with Lowe's was the way the Universe was letting Devin know there were better opportunities out there for him.
Got you wrapped up in hugs!

i'm so sorry that this happened to you and your family. best wishes for a new and better job! where i work, all that we can do is go over the PA and give a number code. anything else (that's when we see them) is "too likely to cause a lawsuit"....so, no one knows who they are looking for...which makes no sense whatsoever...but the big corporations have their own ways of dealing.

i'll be thinking of you and please keep us posted. xoxox pat

[Azalysa]

Oh, Jenn!!! How WONDERFUL to hear about the job with the Sheriff's department. Praying for you both re: this job. Devin sounds like he goes out and takes the proverbial bull by the horns!! Bravo!!

I still like Dexter's idea of us all protesting at our local Lowe's Hehe

Sending more {{{{{{MP}}}}}} and your way!

P.S. Have I mentioned I ADORE my siggie? You're da bomb!!!

[SleepsWithButterFlies]

He for sure got the job? if so beyond cool

[kimmydawn]

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((MP))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

WHAT A ROLLER COASTER you've been on! I'm so glad that I read the good news!

I'm so hoping this is a great thing for y'all!

KD