Joshua William
New Member
- Jurisdiction
- Texas
This is in Killeen, TX.
NIght of the incident. I worked for fast food pizza place. I noticed a new homeless person hanging around the dumpsters we use after closing time. This is done by some people for 'free food' from employees that would have gotten thrown anyway. This person was hanging around a few hours before closetime. I had no idea if this person was gonna be around the dumpster after closing because I was told to go home for the night due to store not making enough money at the time. The normal store policy ( not always followed due to either haste or being sympathetic to those less fortunate ) told to us was to empty the pizzas into the trash bags and take out the boxes as empty. Since this policy was not often followed and I saw this person hanging around the dumpsters for an extended time, I tried to warn fellow employees to follow the policy as a just in case. Someone made a joke ( according to the complaint ) about pouring poison onto the pizza and adding dirt ( words used in the customer complaint read to me ). Me and a few employees might have had a few laughs about it, but nothing serious and most definately, would not be acted upon. A customer heard it and canceled her order and made a complaint to corporate with the complaint specifically saying that heard a she and adding of poison and dirt. Corporate proceeds to investigate. At first, suspending me. Part of this is based on a prior unrelated incident that was indeed my fault, addmited to it, and paid proper dues. Area supervisor states that this is so that employees can be questioned without me influencing them ( I can understand this via witness tampering ). Talked with store manager ( not there at the time of incident and does not bear ill will against me. Everyone liked me there ) and the Area supervisor at the start of this and they were sympathetic to me about this and could see where I am coming from. I come back from the suspension at the appointed time. WHile I was waiting to talk to Area supervisor to find out my fate, I glanced around for schedule, new announcements, etc. in case of new happenings I needed to be aware of. I saw written testimony from one of the employees ( not new to little caesars in general, but a few weeks new to that store ) for only a glance. The beginning portions were stated that I say to pour bleach on the pizzas. Bleach ( while poisonous is most definately different from specific wording of poison and adding dirt and that customer heard a 'she' ) I talked with Store Manager and Area Supervisor to find out that I am being let go ( did not mention written testimony that glanced. I did not read whole thing. The managers are just following orders ( again they are sympathetic to me and I can see them as just doing their jobs ). Tried to inquire further with Area Supervisor, but she stated that can only give the office phone number. I am led to believe that they only have the one testimony and the person giving it may have may the joke themselves or might have been influenced by corporate to 'state that or else'. I am also led to believe that corporate is not following up further than barely necessary and went the easiest route of terminating me. A friend is stating to go to Texas Workforce Commission for complaint. I have not called the corporate office phone number yet to inquire further. What can/should be done from here? I understand the concept of 'there are better jobs out there' and to 'move on,' but I don't want this to so easily happen to another employee. What would the type of lawyer to seek out consultation as well?
NIght of the incident. I worked for fast food pizza place. I noticed a new homeless person hanging around the dumpsters we use after closing time. This is done by some people for 'free food' from employees that would have gotten thrown anyway. This person was hanging around a few hours before closetime. I had no idea if this person was gonna be around the dumpster after closing because I was told to go home for the night due to store not making enough money at the time. The normal store policy ( not always followed due to either haste or being sympathetic to those less fortunate ) told to us was to empty the pizzas into the trash bags and take out the boxes as empty. Since this policy was not often followed and I saw this person hanging around the dumpsters for an extended time, I tried to warn fellow employees to follow the policy as a just in case. Someone made a joke ( according to the complaint ) about pouring poison onto the pizza and adding dirt ( words used in the customer complaint read to me ). Me and a few employees might have had a few laughs about it, but nothing serious and most definately, would not be acted upon. A customer heard it and canceled her order and made a complaint to corporate with the complaint specifically saying that heard a she and adding of poison and dirt. Corporate proceeds to investigate. At first, suspending me. Part of this is based on a prior unrelated incident that was indeed my fault, addmited to it, and paid proper dues. Area supervisor states that this is so that employees can be questioned without me influencing them ( I can understand this via witness tampering ). Talked with store manager ( not there at the time of incident and does not bear ill will against me. Everyone liked me there ) and the Area supervisor at the start of this and they were sympathetic to me about this and could see where I am coming from. I come back from the suspension at the appointed time. WHile I was waiting to talk to Area supervisor to find out my fate, I glanced around for schedule, new announcements, etc. in case of new happenings I needed to be aware of. I saw written testimony from one of the employees ( not new to little caesars in general, but a few weeks new to that store ) for only a glance. The beginning portions were stated that I say to pour bleach on the pizzas. Bleach ( while poisonous is most definately different from specific wording of poison and adding dirt and that customer heard a 'she' ) I talked with Store Manager and Area Supervisor to find out that I am being let go ( did not mention written testimony that glanced. I did not read whole thing. The managers are just following orders ( again they are sympathetic to me and I can see them as just doing their jobs ). Tried to inquire further with Area Supervisor, but she stated that can only give the office phone number. I am led to believe that they only have the one testimony and the person giving it may have may the joke themselves or might have been influenced by corporate to 'state that or else'. I am also led to believe that corporate is not following up further than barely necessary and went the easiest route of terminating me. A friend is stating to go to Texas Workforce Commission for complaint. I have not called the corporate office phone number yet to inquire further. What can/should be done from here? I understand the concept of 'there are better jobs out there' and to 'move on,' but I don't want this to so easily happen to another employee. What would the type of lawyer to seek out consultation as well?
