Posted on 08/29/2013 10:30:57 AM PDT by YourAdHere
A downtown Seattle Starbucks employee was fired for taking an expired sandwich out of the trash and eating it, according to The Stranger.
Coulson Loptmann, a 21-year-old part-time barista, said he grabbed a plastic-wrapped sausage sandwich out of the trash can in the midst of a seven-hour shift on Monday. According to Loptmann, the sandwich was one of a few being thrown out because of its impending expiration.
Loptmann’s store manager found about Loptmann’s actions and contacted Starbucks’ human resources department.
The Stranger learned that Loptmann’s manager terminated him on spot because his actions reportedly go against Starbucks’ policies.
Zack Hutson, a company spokesman, said employees are not allowed to consume “marked-out” products because of the health risk of eating potentially spoiled products. However, Hutson added that a violation like this would not warrant a termination unless it was “the culmination of broader, ongoing performance issues.”
Loptmann, who is currently receiving food stamps, claims he had a great relationship with his employees and supervisors. He reportedly was hired in 2012 and has seen his shifts diminish to no more than 30 hours per week.
Theft is theft, and no employee should be eating (or drinking) any items from the place they work without a receipt for the purchase.
Expired or not, in the trash or not, it wasn’t the employee’s, and it was theft. Could have been handled differently, but I’m sure others will be very happy to know that there’s a job opening now.
being thrown out because of its impending expiration.
Starbucks is now definately off my list of places to go in case I ever want another burnt, bitter, undrinkable, overpriced cup of coffee.
“health risk” baloney.
These prohibitions are because STBX does not want employees marking items out for their consumption.
To fire him on the spot, is against policy, the manager should be disciplined.
Worked in a Kroger store way back in the day.
When disposing of expired bread, we had to cut the packaging open before throwing in dumpster.
I always assumed that was to prevent dumpster diving.
That was back in 1977.
Correct. An employee that will steal a minor item will steal (and probably has stolen) other items as well.
In today’s litigious multi lawed society, the employee could probably sue Starbucks if he got sick from eating the sandwich he pulled out of the trash.
Exception, active sampling.
Easy enough to get the items as long as a bit gets out to the customers.
If they want to fire you, they will find a way.
I disagree. If the sandwich cannot be sold because it’s expired, than it is no longer a retail item and the store can’t make money from it. The trash is fair game. Should be cleared first with the manager, however.
The NEw Starbucks Bumper Sticker
I like my President like my coffee - weak, overhyped, expensive, and full of half and half.
Our plant actually encourages employees to take home stuff which has been discarded . . . all that much less we have to pay the trash man to haul it away.
I know food is a different animal because safety may be involved, but that doesn't seem to be the case here.
Plus our plant uses common sense. If it is the typical discard trash, then no problem. But if it is borderline, like someone throwing out a repairable office chair, then we need to get a permission tag. I think most places operate with similar common sense rules.
"That is correct officer - the Perp was stealing our garbage before the garbage truck could cart it off to the landfill. Additionally, he did so without a proper receipt for purchase of said garbage."
Over priced? A 20 ounce cup for $2.......that’s a good price. Go to restaurant $3.00 for 6 ounces
The threaten all their customers-with serving them crappy coffee.
I've never yet seen an employee at any level which I could not fire for cause given enough observation time.
“Coulson Loptmann, a 21-year-old part-time barista, said he grabbed a plastic-wrapped sausage sandwich out of the trash can”
I will never forget sitting in a Starbucks one morning in San Fran enjoying a coffee and pastry, then watching some homeless dude fish around in the trashcan outside for his breakfast, which he found and then ate. I haven’t been to San Fran since.
I don’t care much for starbucks (never had coffee there) but rules are rules
If he had gotten sick, he would have sued
If they give away expired food, eventually people will catch on and just wait to get the free stuff (and not buy anything)
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