The Co-op supermarket has come under fire after a devoted worker was sacked for extending discounts to pensioners and a war veteran. John Burley, who was simply trying to do something nice, was left “gutted” by the decision.
According to the baffled 64-year-old, he was never informed that offering these discounts was against company policy. He had innocently been extending his employee perks to elderly customers, including a former army soldier, under the belief that it was permitted.
“I just wanted to do something nice for the veteran,” John explained. “It was my way to honor him, but I had no idea what I was doing was against the company’s policy.”
When customers began receiving discounts of 30% on store-branded items and 10% on all other products, John’s store manager started an investigation. He was shocked by the news as nobody had informed him that his actions were wrong. A week later, he was fired for gross misconduct without any notice or pay.
John appealed the decision but lost. As a result, he feels devastated, especially with Christmas right around the corner. Finding another job at his age will be challenging, and the financial impact will be significant.
The Co-op claims that John was deliberately abusing his staff discount card. A spokesperson for Southern Co-Op stated that their policy clearly communicates the rules regarding the use of colleague discounts. Serious breaches of these rules can be considered gross misconduct and lead to dismissal.
It is unfortunate that John’s intention to do something good resulted in such a negative outcome. The incident highlights the importance of clear communication and transparency within organizations. It serves as a reminder to all employees to familiarize themselves with company policies to avoid any misunderstandings.
Source link: F5mag.com