Home Depot
Fired After Customer Complaint for Following Register Policy

I was hired into The Home Depot on March 4. On Thursday, May 5 (after working a full 9 hour shift), I was on my way to the time clock when I was confronted by the Front End Supervisor and told that the Human Resource Manager (Laura Norman) wanted me to see her in her office. When I got to her office, she had the store manager (Jeff Shultz) in the office with her, and right then I knew I was getting fired.

I sat down in a chair and was then told that my employment was being terminated. I asked why, and I was told: "We have received a customer complaint on you today." I asked, "For what?" I was then told, "A customer from this morning made a complaint that you would not help her and were very rude to her."

I then explained to the HRM: "I was following the store policy. I was running the register in the outside Garden, and I was the only cashier outside. I told the lady that I was not able to leave the register and a line of people, but that I would have someone help her. I then called for a garden associate to help her. After she got the products she needed, I rang her up at the register, wished her a good day, and that was the end of the sale." The HRM then told me, "You should have left your line of people and your register to go help her."

So I guess The Home Depot store was put in place for employees to follow and managers to fire people over. But the story is not over...

I was also informed that I was being let go because of excessive absenteeism. Now, I admit that I called in to work 3 times, but let's see. My 14 month old daughter was taken by ambulance to the hospital because she quit breathing. I called from the hospital and spoke with the store manager (Jeff Shultz) and was told that the absence would be excused. Another day, it was snowing and I was working outside for a full 12 hour shift. I got sick (most people do when they stand in the snow for 12 hours). I called in to work the next day and explained to my supervisor (Rachel Dake) that I was going to be late because I was going to go to the clinic.

So actually I was not absent, I was only late. The last absence was due to pink eye. I brought in a doctor's note, but my HRM lost it (how convenient).

I guess the saying is true: "The bad always over sees the good." I was the type of person who earned 7 merit badges for good recognition from department managers. I got those badges for going the extra mile, working 14 hour shifts, staying late, coming in when called, helping in departments, and working in the snow when no one else would.

Company: Home Depot
Country: USA
State: Michigan
City: Fenton
Address: 15255 Silver Parkway
Phone: 8107142962

  <     >