AutoZone employee fired after taking action against bandit

[FuziDave]

http://wtkr.com/2012/11/30/autozone-emp ... rd-bandit/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[A-R]

I guess I'll need to add AutoZone to my "zero tolerance" list of businesses I will not support.

[Rex B]

I guess I'll need to add AutoZone to my "zero tolerance" list of businesses I will not support.

As a competitor to AutoZone, I wholeheartedly endorse your position

[jayinsat]

“I waited for him to go up toward the front, I ran out of the restroom, ran out to my truck where I keep my own personal weapon, grabbed my weapon, came back into the store and confronted the guy,” says McClean.

I agree that Autozone is stupid to fire the guy. I also think the guy was stupid for running out and getting his gun and then running back in the store to confront the bg. That could've ended very badly. I agree with sneaking out, calling to cops while getting your stuff and, if you hear gunfire or notice physical abuse (pistol whipping,etc), going back in. So many liablility issues

Just my thoughts.

[Rex B]

Years ago our company had a delivery van stolen during the day, full of merchandise en route to stores out of town. One of our managers jumped in his vehicle and headed out to where it was last seen, found the truck, chased it down and recovered it. Employee was armed at the time but did not have to show it. Ended well, but everyone's hair stood on end that day. He also kept his job.

[A-R]

“I waited for him to go up toward the front, I ran out of the restroom, ran out to my truck where I keep my own personal weapon, grabbed my weapon, came back into the store and confronted the guy,” says McClean.

I agree that Autozone is stupid to fire the guy. I also think the guy was stupid for running out and getting his gun and then running back in the store to confront the bg. That could've ended very badly. I agree with sneaking out, calling to cops while getting your stuff and, if you hear gunfire or notice physical abuse (pistol whipping,etc), going back in. So many liablility issues

Just my thoughts.

No offense, you're entitled to what is a very logical opinion (and I don't disagree per se with how you would handle this same scenario), but if we continue punishing Good Samaritans in this way, sooner or later there won't be anyone willing to help.

To quite someone else's tag line: "Remember Kitty Genovese" (go look her up)

[rp_photo]

As I see it, the problem is too much hiding behind " Liability issues".

[jordanmills]

Years ago our company had a delivery van stolen during the day, full of merchandise en route to stores out of town. One of our managers jumped in his vehicle and headed out to where it was last seen, found the truck, chased it down and recovered it. Employee was armed at the time but did not have to show it. Ended well, but everyone's hair stood on end that day. He also kept his job.

IMO that's kinda dumb. I'm not sticking my neck out for my employer's property. Someone steals it, I will call the cops and let them do their job. The only time I would feel compelled to take action is if my life or the lives of my coworkers were put in danger. Then I call the cops and let them come collect the body.

[Rex B]

We all agreed it was dumb, but it was done before we could intervene.

[Dave2]

As I see it, the problem is too much hiding behind " Liability issues".

It's not "hiding"... The way the law is written (or at least interpreted), employers are liable for everything an employee does, regardless of the outcome, intentions, whether or not it was work-related, and sometimes even regardless of whether or not said employee was "on the clock".

Of course, I would argue that such liability laws are stupid, but that's the way it is right now.

[JJVP]

Interview of the Autozone employee

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=cIIVoApRS1Q[/youtube]

[Gameover]

so if the manager was killed then would autozone be held accountable? Or is that a one way street?

[baldeagle]

I especially liked his take in this article:

“Working for AutoZone, I don’t think I could do it anymore looking at their morals and their values, obviously they are not valuing someone’s life,” says Mclean.

Bingo! That's exactly the right thing to say.

[baldeagle]

“I waited for him to go up toward the front, I ran out of the restroom, ran out to my truck where I keep my own personal weapon, grabbed my weapon, came back into the store and confronted the guy,” says McClean.

I agree that Autozone is stupid to fire the guy. I also think the guy was stupid for running out and getting his gun and then running back in the store to confront the bg. That could've ended very badly. I agree with sneaking out, calling to cops while getting your stuff and, if you hear gunfire or notice physical abuse (pistol whipping,etc), going back in. So many liablility issues

Just my thoughts.

So you would wait until someone was hurt before taking action? Isn't that a rather selfish approach?

As soon as the robber walks in brandishing a gun, the lives of everyone in that store are in danger. His store manager certainly thought so:

Devin’s manager was grateful.

“He was like “Thank you Devin, you really saved my life,” says Mclean.

Granted, as a civilian, you have no duty to act, but as a human being, it seems the right thing to do.

[rp_photo]

Cowards such as AutoZone's managers hide unders the skirts of Zero Tolerence.