I had been working at a local Walmart here in NE Ohio for almost two years. Never caused a problem, never had an issue, etc. However, in the last few months, things had become beyond fucked up. For starters, our OPD TLs made it a very bad habit of calling over half the store to do pick walks because the 19 year olds don't want to since it cuts into their video sharing time in the middle of the OPD Pit. No matter what I said, me and every GM associate were to go cover OPD. The two TLs in charge were BEYOND useless.
Then, we found ourselves behind on getting our mods done from all the "support of the money making department." Our bonus checks had several cuts made to them before they hit our bank accounts. Everything just went to Hell.
I had enough and made it clear that I intended on putting my two week notice in. I had been looking at job offers elsewhere and needed a change. And then they fired me.
I got pulled into the Ad office of my store two hours into my shift by one of the OPD TLs and the front end coach. They both said they had reports of me flipping off customers, cussing customers out, cussing out other associates and causing issues in OPD. I kindly asked to see a redacted copy of the reports, which we are allowed to see, and was told no as they weren't available at that moment. I then pulled out my phone and asked them to repeat that so I had something for my lawyerand they got PISSED. BTW, in the state of Ohio you are allowed to record conversations you're having with people (bosses, coworkers, contractors, etc.) as a legal safeguard if you feel something shady might be happening.
The two walked me out of the store after I happily gave them my vest, work phone and name tag. I walked out of the store with a smile because I wanted to quit anyways and they gave me a better story. Earlier today, I was shopping at the store that just fired me when I ran into my Store Lead. She had no idea I had been fired until I told her and the coach and TL that walked me out were on vacation, conveniently enough. While I can reapply after 30 days, I don't intend on going back unless they nuke every other area of employment on the planet.
Jobadvisor
This sounds like a really frustrating and potentially unfair situation. Let's break down some of the key elements and potential implications.
Key Issues and Red Flags:
- Sudden Performance Allegations: You stated you had no prior issues or disciplinary actions. The sudden appearance of multiple, serious accusations (flipping off customers, cussing) right after you expressed intent to leave is highly suspicious.
- Refusal to Show Reports: Your right to see redacted reports of complaints against you is a common policy in many workplaces, especially large companies like Walmart. Their refusal to provide them, and their reaction to your request to record, are significant red flags. This suggests they may not have had the reports, or the reports didn't justify the termination.
- Ohio's One-Party Consent Law: You are absolutely correct about Ohio's one-party consent law for recording conversations. Their anger when you pulled out your phone reinforces the idea that they were uncomfortable with a verifiable record of the conversation, potentially because their actions or statements were not defensible.
- Lack of Store Lead's Knowledge: The fact that your Store Lead was unaware of your termination until you told her is highly unusual for a formal firing process. This suggests the termination was handled outside of normal channels or without proper communication within management.
- "Convenient" Vacation: The immediate vacation taken by the TL and coach who fired you is another major red flag. This can be interpreted as an attempt to avoid follow-up questions, accountability, or to simply distance themselves from the situation after making a questionable decision.
- Pre-emptive Termination: Firing someone after they've indicated they intend to resign, especially without a clear, documented disciplinary history, can sometimes be an attempt to control the narrative, avoid paying out accumulated benefits, or prevent unemployment claims (though the latter is unlikely to succeed if the firing was unsubstantiated).
Potential Implications and What You Might Consider:
- Unemployment Benefits: If you haven't already, you should absolutely apply for unemployment benefits. Given the circumstances you described (no prior issues, vague accusations, refusal to show evidence), it's likely you would be approved, as it seems you were not fired for "just cause" in the legal sense.
- Wrongful Termination/Retaliation: While Ohio is an "at-will" employment state, meaning employers can generally fire employees for any reason (or no reason) not prohibited by law, there are exceptions. If you can demonstrate the termination was:
- Retaliatory: For example, if it was in retaliation for raising concerns about working conditions (like being pulled to OPD constantly affecting mods and bonuses), though this would be harder to prove.
- Discriminatory: (Though your account doesn't suggest this, it's always a factor to consider).
- Against Public Policy: Such as being fired for exercising a legal right (like inquiring about reports or attempting to record, though simply attempting to record might not be enough on its own to claim wrongful termination).
- Breach of Implied Contract: Less likely in an at-will state, but if there were consistent promises or policies that were clearly violated in your firing.
- The refusal to provide documentation and the suspicious timing could strengthen a claim that the termination was not legitimate.
- Legal Consultation: It might be worthwhile to have a brief consultation with an employment lawyer in Ohio. While you may not have a strong case for a major lawsuit, they could advise you on:
- The strength of any potential wrongful termination or retaliation claim.
- How to best navigate your unemployment claim.
- Whether there's any action you can take to formally dispute the reason for your termination with Walmart's corporate HR.
- Walmart Corporate HR: You could consider reaching out to Walmart's corporate HR department. Explain what happened, including the refusal to show reports, the Store Lead's unawareness, and the "convenient vacation" of the managers involved. Large companies often have policies in place to investigate such complaints, especially if they involve managers not following proper procedures.
- Your Future Employment: While you were justifiably angry, it's good that you left with a smile. You wanted out anyway, and this experience, while frustrating, has freed you to pursue better opportunities. When discussing this in future job interviews, you can focus on wanting a new challenge and a more stable environment, without badmouthing your previous employer excessively.
It sounds like you handled the immediate situation well by attempting to record and asking for the reports. The subsequent revelations only confirm that their actions were questionable at best. Focus on securing your unemployment and finding a better fit for your skills and work ethic.