My husband began working at the Blount Farmers Co Op in Maryville, TN, in April.in the beginning, he loved his job and everything was going well. We got discounts on products and services, and everyone seemed nice. He even received the largest raise in the store that year.
Then things changed. He was told when he was hired he was part time, but he was pulling 45-55 hours a week, which was great money, but they refused to offer the benefits that the full time employees received. Then he was sent home one day because he was trying to help a customer and a line formed at the front register and they told him that the customer could have waited, but he needed to be at the register at all times. We could see the argument, but earlier on he was told to assist every customer if they needed it.
Then, they told him he had to work on Sundays when they were closed because someone needed to water the plants. THe first time he called in he was in the ER, and I called for him. He had the flu and was out for a few days, and brought a note in with him. Then Butch Loggins the owner told him he had called the ER and they said my husband wasnt there.
Of course he wasnt, we have 3 ERs within 20 minutes, and we were at the UT ER. The last thing was that my mother was dying of cancer, and she had been to the hospital 2x in a week, and I had missed 4 days of work. I asked my husband to stay home with her on Friday, because I really needed to get some work done, so I went in half a day and he stayed with her.
Then on April 12th, my mom was taken by ambulance to the ER, where her Dr told me that it would be her last day. I called my husband and asked him to come to the hospital to be with the rest of the family. He called me on his cell about 10 minutes later that he was going to quit. I was very upset, but then he preceded to tell me that he was chewed out for leaving and that his supervisor, Justin Ellis, said that he was using this as another excuse. I was so mad that I got off the phone with him and called the CoOp to talk to Butch, the owner, to explain the situation:
Me: MR Loggins, this is Leah, Randys wife. I am sorry that I need him and I know your busy, but my mom is dying.
Butch: Well we really need him here, and hes used this as an excuse before. He stayed home with your mom once already when you went to work, that was wrong of you, it made me mad-you should have stayed home with her.
Me: Mr Loggins, my mom is dying
Butch: Well, if you need him, fine, but he needs to come back in after your done.
My mom passed away that day, and Randy called Butch to tell him that he wouldnt be in for the rest of the week. Of course, Butch and Justin both said that they were sorry and if we needed anything to call. Yeah right.
Randy did find a better job and enjoys it there, but it still bothers me that we were both treated this way. Not only was he an employee, but we spent over $200.00 a month in the store on dog food and pet supplies (we breed dogs). To top it off, it was one of my moms favorite stores. I thought at first that I was just upset because of what was going on, but after several months, it still makes me angry. Maybe Butch was having a bad day, but he never offered an apology or anything to me or Randy for the way we were talked to, and neither did Justin. I refuse to buy anything in there ever again. I think that if people knew how they treated their employees, then they wouldn't shop there. There are also several other ex employees that were treated like Randy was who have moved on. I encourage my fellow Blount Countians to shop at Tractor Supply, Blount Lawn and Garden, Lowes or Home Depot.
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