Posted on 10/10/2013 3:03:53 PM PDT by rawhide
When Lowe's employee Karen Sizemore saw a man shoplifting from her Kentucky store, she says she snapped: "It was just the adrenaline rush, I'm not taking it anymore. You just get to the point where you're so tired of people stealing from you." So Karen, a grandmother and 18-year employee of the chain, followed the thief out to his car and reached into the backseat trying to retrieve the Dewalt tool kit, valued at $600. She wasn't able to get it but she did get the man's license plate number and car make, leading to his arrest. The incident made her a minor celebrity in town and with her coworkers, who nicknamed her "Rambo." But the pursuit also backfired, when Karen was fired this week. Fighting back tears she explains, "their explanation was I put myself and other people in danger and they fired me." Lowe's issued a public statement: "Our policies are in place for the safety of our workers. We have very specific guidelines when it comes to handling potential shoplifters, to ensure the well being of not only our team but our customers." The corporate office has since added that they will further investigate the incident.
(video at above link)
(Excerpt) Read more at screen.yahoo.com ...
Reaching into his backseat was the fatal mistake, very bad thing to do. I really don’t see how a company the size of Lowe’s could have left her unpunished. Firing was too much, I think.
Despicable
Time to Freep Lowes:
President Robert Niblock
Lowes Corporate Offices
1605 Curtis Ridge Rd.
Wilksboro, NC 28697
“If the local Home Depot was smart.”
Home Depot smart? ROTFLOL!
Fine. Company policy. Okay. Let them steal the store blind.
What dumbass store policy.They are so scared of being sued for discrimination by restricting a persons right to make a living by stealing shit and then pawning it.I’d put dogs in the store with the sole purpose of running down shop lifters if they run.
Those policies are in place because many shoplifters become violent when confronted.
Be a good witness and keep your job of 18 years. Win/Win.
Agree. Tell Lowe's what you think and how much it is going to cost them.
The way a store like that looks at it is, the potential lawsuits and publicity of an apprehension gone wrong...not to mention the chance for escalation.. far far outweigh the cost of a $600.00 item.
This sends a message to the feral yutes. If you can make it out the door you can get away.
Having worked Part time at Lowes, their policy is basically this:
Ask to see a reciept, if a customer ignores you, let them go. They could steal 1/2 the store and there is nothing you can do about it. If that person never comes back to the store they basically get away scott free. The safety person at the store talks with local police and has video of it, but that’s it. It’s asinine, and it’s all about preventing lawsuits to Lowes.
This will Target Lowe’s for an easy place to steal. Kangaroo Express takes the thief to court.
I don’t shop at Lowe’s anymore anyway. Bought a piece of crap Husqvarna mower that died after using it twice. Lowe’s would do NOTHING to help me get my money back. Long story but I eventually got my money back through the efforts of a local repair shop dealing with Husqvarna. Point is Lowe’s did nothing to help. This story about this lady being canned does not surprise. Just reinforces my decision to boycott Lowe’s with all respect to you Jimmie Johnson.
She should have been suspended with pay for a month.
Lowe’s probably gets full recovery of costs by insurance. I can see where if there is a robbery in the store there could be a dangerous situation and Lowe’s does not want such an event. However,firing the lady is a bit too extreme as she wasn’t endangering anyone in the store even though on Lowe’s property.
Lowe’s would and does pass along these types of thefts to customers, sooooo if you feel the you are lucky steal at Lowe’s the one stop theft store.
Won’t do any good to write Lowe’s.. the woman said in the local paper she DOESN’T want her job back.. and she knew she was in the wrong for what she did
After 18 years you should know what the store’s policy is
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