A friend of mine recently was forced to quit her full time manager position at Evenson's Hallmark in West St. Paul, MN at the Signal Hills Center. When she was hired, she was told that she was expected to work by herself in the store. She was not told that the responsibilities of the position would require her to be on her feet with NO BREAKS for up to 8 consecutive hours at a time.
After accepting the position she asked her supervisor, Steve LaPanta, "What happens if you have to use the bathroom when there are customers in the store?" His reply was, "HOLD IT, or wait until there are no customers, and then go to the bathroom." To which my friend replied, "Well, I quess I will just have to let it run down my leg, then!!!"
This is inhumane treatment of a human being. (Dogs gets better treatment, since they never have to hold their bladder for more than 4 hours at a time!!!) In hindsight, my friend should have reported this situation to the Minnesota Department of Labor for investigation.
In hindsight, she also should have filed a workers compensation claim. My friend never had problems with her feet or knees until after working at this sweat shop for a month. She even had to get written orders from her doctor that she was to have at least two 15 minute breaks to sit down in an 8 hour work day, but to no avail.
If you are a customer of Evenson's Hallmark, please keep in mind that the outrageous prices you are paying are NOT reflected in the employees' wages. The Evenson brothers and Steve LaPanta are getting rich on the near slave conditions they expose their employees to on a daily basis.
Call Larry or Neil Evenson, or Steve LaPanta and ask them how they can live with their consciences for this inhumane treatment of their employees. It's all about the bottom line, that's all!
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