Veteran loses job due to breaking a robbery (Liberty Bowl)

[Mr Janny]

I agree completely with this, I remember several years back when a Pizza hut delivery driver got robbed in Des Moines for having his firearm on him and stopping a robbery attempt, he was fired as well.

I think I will show autozone the same courtesy that I showed Pizza Hut at that time and just use O'riley's from now on. They do have the right to have that rule in place and a right to act in the manner that they did. But as a consumer I have a right to shop where I want as well.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, you can get pizza at O'reilly's now?

[MissouriCyclone]

No, I don't think that is the same type of deal as the kid left it up to the authorities to handle instead of taking matters into his own hands.

I wonder if he was given a nice reward which he probably would have quit his job anyway.

I guess what I meant is that it's bull**** both people lost their jobs by doing the right thing.

[longtimeclone]

I guess what I meant is that it's bull**** both people lost their jobs by doing the right thing.

I guess I don't think the kid at the mini golf was in the wrong at all. Half a dozen things could have gone wrong with the guy at Autozone which Autozone probably would have been liable.

If there had been a domestic disturbance at the mini golf course where the kid called the authorities, would he have been fired for that also?

[MissouriCyclone]

I guess I don't think the kid at the mini golf was in the wrong at all. Half a dozen things could have gone wrong with the guy at Autozone which Autozone probably would have been liable.

If there had been a domestic disturbance at the mini golf course where the kid called the authorities, would he have been fired for that also?

But nothing did happen so he shouldn't be considered a "bad guy" for that. What would happen if the guy came in shooting up the place and the guy behind the counter shot and killed the shooter saving 3-4 people. There are lots of "what if's". The point being is that both people did the right thing in a time of crisis (the kid not so much crisis, he just did the right thing).

[baller21]

it seems silly that someone would lose their job because they stopped a crime, but really I don't think businesses have much of a choice when it comes to having rules about employees getting involved. There's far too much liability involved.

What happens if, instead of saving the day, the employee gets shot while trying to foil the robbery? Who covers medical bills? What happens if he takes a shot, misses, and hits a bystander? Not worth the risk over what's likely to be a fairly small dollar robbery.

The business has to discourage employees from getting involved. It sucks that this guy lost his job, but from Autozone's standpoint, it was the right call.

These companies are playing the odds that nobody gets hurt and gambling with employees lifes. The robber could have just as easily put a bullet in both employees heads so they couldn't ID him. It's all about the money. They can find more workers.

[Mr Janny]

So are you going to ask for a copy of corporate policy at each auto parts store and compare it with your personal beliefs before making a purchase? Because I bet most auto parts stores (and gas stations, banks, convenience stores, etc.) have the same policy, whether or not you know about it.

this. I'm sure we all shop at places that have similar policies all the time, mainly because it's a very smart policy for a business to have.

[LibertyCy]

it seems silly that someone would lose their job because they stopped a crime, but really I don't think businesses have much of a choice when it comes to having rules about employees getting involved. There's far too much liability involved.

What happens if, instead of saving the day, the employee gets shot while trying to foil the robbery? Who covers medical bills? What happens if he takes a shot, misses, and hits a bystander? Not worth the risk over what's likely to be a fairly small dollar robbery.

The business has to discourage employees from getting involved. It sucks that this guy lost his job, but from Autozone's standpoint, it was the right call.

Easily could have said, "don't let it happen again as it is against rules" and just move on. That would be the right call.

[Mr Janny]

But nothing did happen so he shouldn't be considered a "bad guy" for that. What would happen if the guy came in shooting up the place and the guy behind the counter shot and killed the shooter saving 3-4 people. There are lots of "what if's". The point being is that both people did the right thing in a time of crisis (the kid not so much crisis, he just did the right thing).

These companies are playing the odds that nobody gets hurt and gambling with employees lifes. The robber could have just as easily put a bullet in both employees heads so they couldn't ID him. It's all about the money. They can find more workers.

of course there are what if's and of course they are playing the odds. That's the point of these policies.

The vast, vast majority of robberies do not end in shootings. It is far more cost effective for employees to comply with a robber and get them out the door, than it would be to have them challenged and run the risk of injury/death of employees and bystanders.

[Mr Janny]

Easily could have said, "don't let it happen again as it is against rules" and just move on. That would be the right call.

If that's their policy, then so be it. But if their policy is that an employee is to be terminated, then they should follow that policy. Showing leniency, while seemingly the right thing to do, does the exact opposite of what the policy is intended to do. It becomes encouragement to other employees to do the same thing, and that's not what the company wants.

Look, it's a sad situation that a guy should get fired for this. He's a hero as far as I'm concerned, but the company needs to look out for their own best interest, and their best interest is clearly to not allow employees to take these situations into their own hands.

[alarson]

of course there are what if's and of course they are playing the odds. That's the point of these policies.

The vast, vast majority of robberies do not end in shootings. It is far more cost effective for employees to comply with a robber and get them out the door, than it would be to have them challenged and run the risk of injury/death of employees and bystanders.

This. While its one thing to say 'he put doing the right thing above store policy', did he actually do the right thing? By taking action into his own hands, he took a situation that was likely to only result in the loss of a relatively small amount of money, money the store is likely insured for (if the police cannot recover it), and instead put not just his own life at risk, but that of others in the store that could have been put in danger if the situation didnt go as well as it did. I'm not sure you can call making that decision to make things much more dangerous for everyone else 'the right thing'. I dont doubt he had the right intentions, but did he do the right thing? I dont necessarily think so.

[baller21]

This. While its one thing to say 'he put doing the right thing above store policy', did he actually do the right thing? By taking action into his own hands, he took a situation that was likely to only result in the loss of a relatively small amount of money, money the store is likely insured for (if the police cannot recover it), and instead put not just his own life at risk, but that of others in the store that could have been put in danger if the situation didnt go as well as it did. I'm not sure you can call making that decision to make things much more dangerous for everyone else 'the right thing'. I dont doubt he had the right intentions, but did he do the right thing? I dont necessarily think so.

If you want to bet on the crazy, desperate guy with the gun to your head doesn't feel like killing anyone today, that's your choice. Some of us don't like russian roulette.

What if AutoZone changed their pollicy to all their emloyees were trained and encouraged to carry on the job? Do you think robberies would go up or down?

[alarson]

If you want to bet on the crazy, desperate guy with the gun to your head doesn't feel like killing anyone today, that's your choice. Some of us don't like russian roulette.

What if AutoZone changed their pollicy to all their emloyees were trained and encouraged to carry on the job? Do you think robberies would go up or down?

Except statistics show the vast majority of robberies result in no shots fired. Engaging the robber is FAR more likely to result in that gun being fired and someone ending up dead. So if youre talking 'russian roulette'. engaging the robber is the real russian roulette here.

[baller21]

Except statistics show the vastmajority of robberies result in no shots fired. Engaging the robber is FAR more likely to result in that gun being fired and someone ending up dead. So if youre talking 'russian roulette'. engaging the robber is the real russian roulette here.

desperate robber holding a gun to my head-100% chance of me being the dead one.
me engaging robber with gun of my own- 50% chance of me being the dead one.

I'll take the latter, thanks.

[heitclone]

This person being a Veteran should have no relevance here, it's a a crappy situation but that has nothing to do with it. I get the "taking things into your own hands" argument but what if I'm there with my kids or wife, you're taking our lives into your own hands as well, I'm not okay with that. If this would have gone bad you can bet the victims families would be suing Autozone for their "robbery policy".

[3TrueFans]

desperate robber holding a gun to my head-100% chance of me being the dead one.
me engaging robber with gun of my own- 50% chance of me being the dead one.

I'll take the latter, thanks.

Your statistics may be off.