What is the name of your state? Texas
I have been a supervisor for a large home improvement store (not sure I can say the name) for three years. I have been a hard working, reliable employee that has not once been disciplined about my work. There is an Asst. Store manager that always "helps" employees out by marking items down and basically giving things away because as an employee we receive no discounts. He's always told me this is his way of giving back. I approached this manager two weeks ago about marking a vacuum down, so I could buy it. The managers response was that he was going to give it to me. I questioned him, but he assured me it would be ok and that he would just mark it down to zero in the books. Which is what we do for items that are damaged so we still get credit and it will not be a loss. Well by the end of the night I placed the vacuum in a cart and when I got ready to leave for the night I asked him once again was it ok and he unlocked the door for me and once again told me it would be ok and "Merry Christmas, good night". So I left. Well you can probably guess by now, a week later loss prevention has me in their office questioning me about the vaccum. They have everything on camera, so I just told them the truth- my manager gave me the vacuum and assured me it would be ok. They proceed to tell me that they will need to investigate, but they still have me walking out of the store with an unpaid item. I did not even know if they had questioned the manager. They tell me they will have to suspend me until "further investigation". Soon after I learn from other employees in the store the manager is denying that he gave it to me and he told me no. So basically that would make me so bold to steal a vacuum in front of his face and walk right out the door!? Well after I learned of his response I went back to the store to speak with HR and further my original statement to let them know there has been several people in the store that have received these "gifts" from this manager, he has marked items down for employees, and has even given things to customers when they complain.
This may sound strange, but this manager is known for his "generosity" and lack of concern mentality around the store. Everyone thinks he is the coolest manager and they go to him any time they need anything. Well after all this they said they still had to investigate and they'd call me. Next day another supervisor was put on suspension for the exact situation. She also received merchandise from this manager and was caught on tape. It has been a week with no word on my status, but employees have informed me the word is we have both been fired and they are already getting our "replacements". So basically if I've been fired then they have not advised me. I am angry that they have not even called, the manager is still there and my character is been defamed around the store. They assured me no one is to know the situation, but people have been saying I stole a vaccum and blamed it on the manager. I know I did not make the right choice, but I would not have taken it had this manager not assured me it was alright. Now he is denying everything. I am angry they are allowing this manager to still be there without being disciplined! Everything is on camera- if they see me walking out with the vacuum, then they see him letting me out (without checking a receipt, which is protocol). I want to know what are my options. This is not fair. If I am been fired, then so should he and half of the store that has also received "gifts" from him. I think they are trying to cover up for this manager and they know what he does. I also know he has taken stuff for himself out of the store. I know this is a lot of accusations, and my word against his, but there are other employees that know what he does, too. One even called the "anonymous" employee line and told them about the situation. The next day he was called into HR and questioned as to why.
Please tell me what to do. Will I even get unemployment? And will they compensate my vacation time I accrued? Also about a week before this I won a $1000 in a company contest, that was supposed to be on my check for the 12th. Can they take that from me? I don't know the rules of the contest. Should I advise a lawyer? HELP!!!What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state?
I have been a supervisor for a large home improvement store (not sure I can say the name) for three years. I have been a hard working, reliable employee that has not once been disciplined about my work. There is an Asst. Store manager that always "helps" employees out by marking items down and basically giving things away because as an employee we receive no discounts. He's always told me this is his way of giving back. I approached this manager two weeks ago about marking a vacuum down, so I could buy it. The managers response was that he was going to give it to me. I questioned him, but he assured me it would be ok and that he would just mark it down to zero in the books. Which is what we do for items that are damaged so we still get credit and it will not be a loss. Well by the end of the night I placed the vacuum in a cart and when I got ready to leave for the night I asked him once again was it ok and he unlocked the door for me and once again told me it would be ok and "Merry Christmas, good night". So I left. Well you can probably guess by now, a week later loss prevention has me in their office questioning me about the vaccum. They have everything on camera, so I just told them the truth- my manager gave me the vacuum and assured me it would be ok. They proceed to tell me that they will need to investigate, but they still have me walking out of the store with an unpaid item. I did not even know if they had questioned the manager. They tell me they will have to suspend me until "further investigation". Soon after I learn from other employees in the store the manager is denying that he gave it to me and he told me no. So basically that would make me so bold to steal a vacuum in front of his face and walk right out the door!? Well after I learned of his response I went back to the store to speak with HR and further my original statement to let them know there has been several people in the store that have received these "gifts" from this manager, he has marked items down for employees, and has even given things to customers when they complain.
This may sound strange, but this manager is known for his "generosity" and lack of concern mentality around the store. Everyone thinks he is the coolest manager and they go to him any time they need anything. Well after all this they said they still had to investigate and they'd call me. Next day another supervisor was put on suspension for the exact situation. She also received merchandise from this manager and was caught on tape. It has been a week with no word on my status, but employees have informed me the word is we have both been fired and they are already getting our "replacements". So basically if I've been fired then they have not advised me. I am angry that they have not even called, the manager is still there and my character is been defamed around the store. They assured me no one is to know the situation, but people have been saying I stole a vaccum and blamed it on the manager. I know I did not make the right choice, but I would not have taken it had this manager not assured me it was alright. Now he is denying everything. I am angry they are allowing this manager to still be there without being disciplined! Everything is on camera- if they see me walking out with the vacuum, then they see him letting me out (without checking a receipt, which is protocol). I want to know what are my options. This is not fair. If I am been fired, then so should he and half of the store that has also received "gifts" from him. I think they are trying to cover up for this manager and they know what he does. I also know he has taken stuff for himself out of the store. I know this is a lot of accusations, and my word against his, but there are other employees that know what he does, too. One even called the "anonymous" employee line and told them about the situation. The next day he was called into HR and questioned as to why.
Please tell me what to do. Will I even get unemployment? And will they compensate my vacation time I accrued? Also about a week before this I won a $1000 in a company contest, that was supposed to be on my check for the 12th. Can they take that from me? I don't know the rules of the contest. Should I advise a lawyer? HELP!!!What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state?
