Today, (October 5, 2018) I was terminated from my position at Lowe’s. The reason they provided was that I used unacceptable language in a threatening manner toward a customer. Well, let me tell you my side of the story.
On September 25, I approached a customer in the outside area that I noticed was getting into the PVC. I asked the customer if I could help him and he very sharply replied with a no. The tone of his voice indicated, to me, that he was not happy that I caught him doing something that he, perhaps, should not have been. After an exchange where he was very aggressive toward me, he, in a very rude manner, said, “whatever!” I responded with, “don’t ‘whatever’ me.” and walked away.
Approximately 15 to 20 minutes later, the same guy passed by me in the plumbing department, where I work, and looked at me with a very threatening squint in his eyes. His entire body language was threatening and indicated that he wanted to do me harm. I asked him if he had a problem and he responded with something along the lines of “you’re my problem” or “you’re the one with the problem”.
As I entered the main aisle he left his cart and came back toward me. I squared off with him and in an effort to try to get him to the front of the store, where there would be more witnesses and perhaps we would pass a manager, I asked him if he wanted to step outside. He agreed at which point I did remove my vest in order to try to convince him that I was indeed willing to step outside with him.
At this point he was right in my face. I attempted to step back away from him at which point he stepped right into my face, again. At this point I considered myself in eminent physical danger and refused to turn my back on him and started making as much noise as I could to draw attention to the situation. Did I use cuss words? Anybody who knows me, knows that I did. Did I threaten him? Absolutely not. I was simply trying to get myself out of a situation that I felt threatened in.
This tactic worked perfectly. A coworker came over and put her arm in front of me and nudged me away from the customer and a manager walked up the main aisle behind him and was able to walk him to the front of the store. Was there a great deal of adrenaline flowing through me, and did, I in fact, knock over some merchandise to try to get this tension out? Yes. I definitely cannot deny this. I Offered to pay for any damage that occurred to the item. (Which was very minimal)
During my tenure with Lowe’s, I have been threatened no fewer than a dozen times by customers, and get insulted and miss gendered on a regular basis. I would say at least two or three times a week. I have always been able to bite my tongue and walk away. I tried to walk away from this guy, but, he wouldn’t let me. So, I did what I felt needed to be done to protect myself. For this, Lowes, in its infinite wisdom, decided it was just easier to let me go than to acknowledge that there was a problem. It’s not even the first time management knew that I was attacked by customers in the store.
At this time, I would like to point out that I do not hold the staff or management at the store where I worked personally responsible. I do not believe that they wanted me terminated for this event. The termination came from higher up the corporate ladder than the store level. This is one of the few things that is wrong with the corporate system. Somebody who didn’t witness the event and has no personal knowledge of me or my situation,whatsoever, made a decision that affects my life and the lives of those I worked with without even knowing what actually happened. I disagree with the whole HR system. But, that’s a rant for another time.
If any of my former coworkers happen to read this, please know that, with only one or two exceptions, I really enjoyed working with each and everyone of you. Especially the crew in the plumbing department. We were very close knit and did a lot of things together outside of the job. I will miss you all very much.
Now, I have to deal with a very difficult task of finding another job. I feel, in this area, I was very lucky that Lowe’s hired me. I do not believe that I’m hireable within about 50 miles of where I live. So, I may have the unfortunate task of having to relocate. So, if anybody knows of any good jobs, please let me know.
This really sucks.
Catie.
dragonsfaerie 