My latest problem..........

[solomon1979]

Hey guys, I was just thinking about something that happened to me recently and wanted to get your thoughts. I manage a bookstore and a customer came in for a return. I made part of the return, but there was an item that couldn't be returned, so the customer got pretty heated. She asked for the district managers telephone number and so I went to go and get it for her. When I gave her the number, the woman said that she shouldn't have to take this from somebody of my color(I'm of mixed hispanic origin). I asked her if she had just made a racial slur to me and she began to laugh, so I asked her to take the number and leave the store. She asked for my complete name, so I spelled it out for her. She then told me that she was educated and that she knew how to spell my name. I told her that if she was so ****ing educated, then why didn't she ever learn how to brush her teeth(I couldn't think of anything better and her teeth were all brown and crooked). I got a call this morning from the district manager telling me that I can't return to work until they get both sides of the story. Last night, after the incident, I personally called the district manager and told him what happened, so right now I'm kind of at a loss for ideas. What do you guys think? My thoughts are that I could've reacted alot worse under the circumstances, but I can forsee my end of employment approaching fast.

[egodog48]

I would hope that they dont fire you for that. Ive dealt with alot of stuff before so I dont get worked up about stuff, I just laugh and send them on their way which makes them even more mad. I can understand you anger for her saying something racially motivated, but just dismiss it next time. You definitely did the right thing by calling you DM and telling him. I just hope you have a good relationship with him/her.

[solomon1979]

I would hope that they dont fire you for that. Ive dealt with alot of stuff before so I dont get worked up about stuff, I just laugh and send them on their way which makes them even more mad. I can understand you anger for her saying something racially motivated, but just dismiss it next time. You definitely did the right thing by calling you DM and telling him. I just hope you have a good relationship with him/her.

I do, but this is all pretty lame. At this point it is up to the regional vice president, so my chances aren't looking the best. I'm looking for another job ASAP.

[solomon1979]

BTW, the reason the higher ups are acting this way is b/c the woman is threatening them with a lawsuit. I know she can't successfully sue the company, but they tend to be spineless in these matters. If anything, I feel like if I'm terminated, that I might have grounds for a lawsuit.

[Voodoo]

eesh, in effect you did the right thing. however in the working world you did the wrong thing. you would have grounds for a lawsuit if they didn't properly warn you 3 times i believe is the CA standard. then its a labor commissioner thing, also, if you're Hispanic, and she made a racial slur toward you, im sure you could sue her for emotional anguish and sue the company for facilitating a negative and hostile work environment.

[solomon1979]

eesh, in effect you did the right thing. however in the working world you did the wrong thing. you would have grounds for a lawsuit if they didn't properly warn you 3 times i believe is the CA standard. then its a labor commissioner thing, also, if you're Hispanic, and she made a racial slur toward you, im sure you could sue her for emotional anguish and sue the company for facilitating a negative and hostile work environment.

Yeah, I'm Mexican, Spanish, and Apache. I'm not even the type of person that would even consider a lawsuit, but I feel that it would be the only way to make this right. I'm pretty sure the company would make the case that I've had extensive customer service training to deal with this situation and that I failed the resolve everything properly.

[solomon1979]

Days like this make me want to just go back into the Army:eek: .

[Sonny]

I do not see really where she has a lawsuit, but don't think you need any these days. I do see that the bookstore has a policy of allowing derogatory racial statement to occur within the store with no consideration. I would definately let them know you are aware of how the company apparently treats these issues and let them know it would be unfortunate if you where released from employment based on this.

Not much help but did want you to know I am sorry about your situation.

[solomon1979]

I do not see really where she has a lawsuit, but don't think you need any these days. I do see that the bookstore has a policy of allowing derogatory racial statement to occur within the store with no consideration. I would definately let them know you are aware of how the company apparently treats these issues and let them know it would be unfortunate if you where released from employment based on this.

Not much help but did want you to know I am sorry about your situation.

Thanks man. I'm gonna have a great day at the gym later on, that's for sure;) .

[jef2007]

not any advice but brought back the time i was arguing with a lady at work and im laid back person but it happened to be one of those days so i was arguing with her and she had sommer teeth ,, you know some are here some are there all i could think of is why dont you go home and brush that tooth hehhhhehhhheeee lol ,,, so what you said made me laugh,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[solomon1979]

not any advice but brought back the time i was arguing with a lady at work and im laid back person but it happened to be one of those days so i was arguing with her and she had sommer teeth ,, you know some are here some are there all i could think of is why dont you go home and brush that tooth hehhhhehhhheeee lol ,,, so what you said made me laugh,,,,,,,,,,,,,

To be honest, I wasn't proud of what I said to her. I feel that given a few minutes and a clear head, that I could have said something that would have effectively hurt her feelings a bit better:D . But yeah..............., the entire time I was just staring at her mouth and when she made the comment, I just saw red. Live and learn, I guess.

[jw25558]

I would talk to a lawyer asap. You need to KNOW what your rights are before the VP makes his decision. It looks like the lady is using every bit of ammo against you that she has so IMO, you must be prepared to fight back. I would look at racial discrimination against her and if they terminate you, you should seek a wrongful termination case against the company. Look for lawyers that specialize in employment law or Keith may be able to talk to one of EST's lawyers. Just a thought. I wish you the best.

[solomon1979]

Update........., I've got to go into work at 5:00 to talk to the RVP. I think I'm going to get fired. Wish me luck, b/c I'm going to need it. I'm pretty sick of all of this BS. I'm supposed to tell my side of the story, but the woman denies making any kind of racial slur towards me. Oh well, I hated the job anyways. It just really sucks having to defend yourself when you feel that you were the one wronged. I so wish it would have been a man who said that to me, then I could have been fired for a reason.

[solomon1979]

I would talk to a lawyer asap. You need to KNOW what your rights are before the VP makes his decision. It looks like the lady is using every bit of ammo against you that she has so IMO, you must be prepared to fight back. I would look at racial discrimination against her and if they terminate you, you should seek a wrongful termination case against the company. Look for lawyers that specialize in employment law or Keith may be able to talk to one of EST's lawyers. Just a thought. I wish you the best.

Like I said before, I'm not that type of person to sue. I'm also the last person in the world to claim discrimination. I believe in equal opportunity hate. I think race and religion is a cop-out for hating someone when there are plenty of other reasons to do so(I'm also naturally a cynic). I would also never make something like this up, but life doesn't award bonus points for having integrity. I think it'd be best for me to just hold my head up high and take everything like a man. I'm gonna go work out after I get fired and then go see a movie afterwards to unwind. Blades of Glory seems like it would help lift my spirits.

[florencej]

Good luck with everything man...I hope all works out for the best.

[solomon1979]

Good luck with everything man...I hope all works out for the best.

Thanks for the support. Honestly, I'm not too optimistic about it, this is Louisiana.

[txcrusher]

man sorry to here that and unfortunatly companys take the wrong action to please or shut them up. even if the store had video with audio they may not want her to see you working there. even when they know she was the BIOTCH and has no grounds for a lawsuite. or prob couldnt even finding a lawyer to file one on an insult. it was an insult to the costumer that will be there reason for fireing you but hope not.

[mw1111]

Those kind of things happen every day within customer oriented company, if your company does not back you up then you need to QUIT ! This will end up being a blessing to you . Why would you WANT to work for someone that would turn their back on an employee.
Your next job can only be better!!!!! Good Luck !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[NemisisX7]

I hate people like that but when you're on the job you can't really beat the hell out of them and get away with it. Hope all goes well. And if you get fired because of her try to get her info. Revenge is a dish best served cold :D

[solomon1979]

Well, I got fired. The RVP said I was too proud and did not handle myself accordingly:eek: . WTF, of well................. I guess its a blessing in disguise. I can collect unemployement, since they promised not to mention the termination as misconduct. The district manager also said I could use him as reference. Everyone I knew went to bat for me, so I feel okay about everything. I couldn't get my girlfriend to go see Blades of Glory though:( . Thanks for the support fellas, it meant alot. Work was starting to affect my personal life, so onward with the cycle:o .

[SwollOnIron]

Ouch man. Well looks like you are staying optimistic. Best of luck.

[Sonny]

Don't know what to say about that. Too proud? WTF!

Anyways, this can open a better opportunity for you. Onward and upwards!

[txcrusher]

sorry to hear that but your a man military this you will overcome.

[RisingAgainst]

I hate seeing all the crap that I miss when I'm gone. Thats so bullshit bro. IF theres anything I can do for ya bro, just shoot me a pm. Best of luck man.

[LivenLarge]

Hey bro!

THis is just an opportunity for you to go and do something better than that last job.

And that lady you talked down to you is just a loser. She is obviously upset with her own life and has to be rude to others to maker herself feel better.

[angelo212]

If you lose your job I would threaten them with a lawsuit and follow thru. They'll either give you your job back or settle. It cost to much to fight. I was really pissed reading what happened.

[hpro]

Damn, how'd I miss this thread? I personally don't know what it's like to be offended racially (i'm white), but I can imagine how it feels. If a lady would've said that to me, who is not attractive and has the teeth you described, I would've been like: Theres no question why you read, it takes the place of a guy in your life, no chance of you getting one, sorry mam. Ooo that shit makes me mad just thinking about people doing that. I can understand friends doing it, but when it gets professional/personal like that, it's not only wrong but immature. If she tries to sue or you get fired over it. You can sew the company because in an odd way it's self defense. You did the right thing, you got the number and stuff for her like you were asked, etc etc no problems. After the professional part was taken care of, she spouted off a racial slur that wasn't nessecary. If the lady has half a brain she'd,

1. Forget that what you said to her, be banned from the library, and pay a fine (Find some people who had little kids, that were "offended" by her rude racial remarks :) , and
2. She should goto a local dentist and get some braces or some shit.

edit: I just read page 2, figured it would just be alot of "it's ok, it's all good, best of wishes" type page, but I was wrong lol..Uh, that's bullshit to get fired, screw them all. :) Don't y'all have cameras? If not, I would've been like, uh..mam I have no idea what your talking about, you said a racial slur to me and I just kept my cool. The only reason you're bringing up your teeth is because, well look at em! They're nasty! But anyway, best of luck to you sol. Any new job ideas?

[solomon1979]

Thanks for the support fellas. I feel much better. Honestly the job started off part time, b/c of school and then they promoted me against my wishes( b/c of my military background). Since I took over I've been miserable and my social/personal life has taken a backseat to work. I'm not in any situation where I can't keep my head above water without a job(at least for a month or two;) ), so I'm gonna enjoy some time off and Spring Break. I loved being around the books, but hated the people that came in there. I initially only took the job for research(I flirted with the idea of writing my military experiences down, but I never got past 40 pages:o ), so I don't feel like I invested too much. I'm just gonna go back into the EMS field. My heart's in that line of work. This was just reality coming by to give me a stiff kick in the ass. Now all I've gotta do is come to the realization that the degree I'm pursuing in history is a bad idea.

[prid24]

thats some f'd up shit bro, but at least some good may come of it. My friend just graduated with a history degree and jobs in that field are hard to come by. EMS is the way to go. Follow your passion. good luck bro

[NemisisX7]

World History is actually incredibly interesting. Sorry to hear about what hapened. At least you'll stable for the time being. Good luck bro.

[solomon1979]

I hate seeing all the crap that I miss when I'm gone. Thats so bullshit bro. IF theres anything I can do for ya bro, just shoot me a pm. Best of luck man.

Hey bro!

THis is just an opportunity for you to go and do something better than that last job.

And that lady you talked down to you is just a loser. She is obviously upset with her own life and has to be rude to others to maker herself feel better.

If you lose your job I would threaten them with a lawsuit and follow thru. They'll either give you your job back or settle. It cost to much to fight. I was really pissed reading what happened.

thats some f'd up shit bro, but at least some good may come of it. My friend just graduated with a history degree and jobs in that field are hard to come by. EMS is the way to go. Follow your passion. good luck bro

World History is actually incredibly interesting. Sorry to hear about what hapened. At least you'll stable for the time being. Good luck bro.

Thanks for the support. I'm cool with what happened, but I really wish I would've said something worth being fired for. On the up side, I can now devote more time to working out. On the down side, I just realized that the promotion was what kept me from attending the Arnold Classic:x . JK, I've survived worse and been in tougher spots. You guys are the best.

[rainman]

in the words of Joe Dirt, "you just gotta keep on keepin on".

[TheKoos]

WOW!

I just saw this for the first time. You should have heard the comments I was making while reading this!

BTW the reason the RVP offered to keep the reason you were let go under the carpet and offered a good reference is because THEY ARE AFRAID OF GETTING SUED BY YOU.

Good luck and I hope this brings a better oppourtunity your way.

[GunzandBunz]

Just caught this thread. Sorry to hear about this whole BS ordeal bro. I wish you the best of luck and hopefully you get back on your feet soon. If you can, get that unemployment started. It never hurts to have a little extra scratch around. Good luck to you bro.

[Rodzilla]

in the words of Joe Dirt, "you just gotta keep on keepin on".


Lol, when she rudely made the racial statement you should have asked her "Is this where you want to be when Jesus comes back".:D

[RisingAgainst]

Lol, when she rudely made the racial statement you should have asked her "Is this where you want to be when Jesus comes back".:D
lol... nice bro, very nice. I will delve into this more tonight, right now, its showah time!

[Brent]

I now see zero excuses from not going to the O.

[Rodzilla]

lol... nice bro, very nice. I will delve into this more tonight, right now, its showah time!


Thanks bro, I dug deep for that one!;)

[solomon1979]

I now see zero excuses from not going to the O.

Yes sir, you are correct. I had to edit this one, b/c I accindently thought you were referring to the Arnold.