Help - just got terminated

AnonymousCutter · Guru

Help - just got terminated

Maverick · Newbie

Can Kroger fire you for a tweet that didn't even mention Kroger? I simply wrote "somebody come complain on me, so i can get fired and go home." I have more than one job and didn't even mention Kroger, can I appeal this decision?

nocturnia · Guru

Was there a thread involved, where it could be reasonably inferred that you were talking about Kroger?

Date: Oct 7, 2012

A friend asked me when I get off and I answered, but that was the only comment and Kroger was never mentioned or alluded to.

AnonymousCutter · Guru

I would contact your Union Representative and be sure to tell him you have more than one job. Hopefully you've signed nothing or agreed to the termination.

SayWhat · Guru

That was their reasoning for the termination? I think there's a lot to the story that is missing...

Date: Oct 7, 2012

That truly is the whole story, I am here for help and if I don't tell you the whole story it would be impossible for anyone to help me. I am not worried about saving face or looking good on an anonymous Internet forum, I am being honest and just really need my job back if possible.

Date: Oct 7, 2012

Thank you so much, that is perfect. I will contact my rep first thing in the morning.

AnonymousCutter · Guru

Heres what you need to do:

[1] Print out Story
[2] Give to your Representative
[3] Let your Representative know that you also work multiple jobs and that you didn't mention Kroger in the post
[4] be patient. It might be a timely effort, but be sure to ask for retro pay for hours lost.

SayWhat · Guru

Cutter..per usual..has great advice. Also, check your privacy settings and go through your friends and followers with a fine tooth comb. Cover your a$s. Good luck, hopefully your rep will get you your job back.

Maverick · Newbie

Thank you all so very much, I will keep you updated.

AnonymousCutter · Guru

Be very persistent with your Union Representative and call them every couple of days. For an example: Call Monday, Wednesday, Friday of every week until its resolved.

grumpy1 · Guru

Maverick wrote:
Can Kroger fire you for a tweet that didn't even mention Kroger? I simply wrote "somebody come complain on me, so i can get fired and go home." I have more than one job and didn't even mention Kroger, can I appeal this decision?

If you had violated the kroger online policy then they can terminate you .

http://www.krogertalk.com/index.php?topic=6.0

But contacting the union and being persistant can get you job back and made whole if Kroger was never mentioned and there is no adverse effect towards Kroger from comments made.

nocturnia · Guru

This is a curious topic. What falls under the First Amendment; how that translates to individual states rights, and how that waters down to worker's freedoms.

I've had to wrestle with this issue personally a couple of times. Basically, what it comes down to is this: Use some common sense. If what you have to say reflects negatively on your employer, better to not broadcast all about it on the internet. If your girl friend or boy friend were talking shiit about you, how likely would you keep them around? SAME THING HERE.

Freedom of speech does not equal freedom of responsibility.

grumpy1 · Guru

nocturnia wrote:
This is a curious topic. What falls under the First Amendment; how that translates to individual states rights, and how that waters down to worker's freedoms.

I've had to wrestle with this issue personally a couple of times. Basically, what it comes down to is this: Use some common sense. If what you have to say reflects negatively on your employer, better to not broadcast all about it on the internet. If your girl friend or boy friend were talking shiit about you, how likely would you keep them around? SAME THING HERE.

Freedom of speech does not equal freedom of responsibility.

common sense is the main thing to think about here. That is what most people just does not use . That is like posting on here. I choose not to post as anonymous as I have no fear of reprisle from kroger and try to stay more factual on any comments made about Kroger or choose my words closle as not to violate their privacy policy. And yes they are aware of this sight and for a few co`s, two mangers, and one district manager, they know who I am.

They have not said anything to me about anything I poster other than once a few years back. That had to do with a maintanence issue that has gone on for 6 months and i named all the names.

They are also awhere of my krogertalk site and have no problem with it. have more problems with the union than kroger on that one. UFCW local 540 and 1000 wants it sensored but told them to goo to hell. Zone manager just told me to stay within the guidlines on the online policy and factual and they would have no ploblem with it.

Cathy · Guru

They would have to prove that you are talking about them to be able to fire you. Also, being a lighthearted joke and not a malicious comment, I really don't think they can do anything. I would contact the union and fight this.

Date: Oct 9, 2012

you were on your phone on company time that is why you were terminated it has nothing what so ever to do with what you said or did not say.

Maverick · Newbie

I actually posted during my break and it was very much a light hearted joke, I work in the deli and actually enjoy what I do. I never in a million years thought anyone would see it or take it serious.

AnonymousCutter · Guru

grumpy1 wrote:
Maverick wrote:
Can Kroger fire you for a tweet that didn't even mention Kroger? I simply wrote "somebody come complain on me, so i can get fired and go home." I have more than one job and didn't even mention Kroger, can I appeal this decision?

If you had violated the kroger online policy then they can terminate you .

http://www.krogertalk.com/index.php?topic=6.0
But contacting the union and being persistant can get you job back and made whole if Kroger was never mentioned and there is no adverse effect towards Kroger from comments made.

Actually Grumpy the policy violates the 1st amendent of the United States Consitution therefore its an invalid argument. We're hourly employees, therefore he was "off the clock" or as he claims "on break". If he was salary this would be a different story however. The thing is the company can write whatever they like in their little handbooks, but in reality as a "corporate citizen" they too are bound by the consitution as well.

Date: Oct 18, 2012

1st amendment or not, why would you all take pride in outwardly complaining about and bad-mouthing the company that puts a roof over your heads and food in your mouths?

AnonymousCutter · Guru

Anonymous wrote:
1st amendment or not, why would you all take pride in outwardly complaining about and bad-mouthing the company that puts a roof over your heads and food in your mouths?

Just because somebody is providing a job to you doesn't mean you can complain. Look at Walmart and its employees for an example. There are quite a few employees who are fed up and going on strike because of their low wages and working conditions. We're humans and should be provided a decent wage. The company doesn't "put a roof over my head and food in my mouth". I'm an employee and I take pride in bringing in more companies and connecting with our customers on a daily basis. I'm one of many who keep shoppers coming back to do business. If it wasn't for people like us the business would eventually go under. Its funny how employees can build up a business and keep it growing and once it reaches a certain point of growth that they decide to get prepackage meat and get rid of their workers just for a bigger bonus that they didn't earn.

Date: Oct 19, 2012

Maybe I was unclear. Giving customers the shopping experience that makes them want to return while in the store is one thing. But this is a public forum, that any person can access. What would that same customer who saw you in the store think about your place of employement if he or she came here and saw how you really felt? Kroger is giving you a paycheck every week for the job that you do, and that can only happen if customers continue to come in the door. I wouldn't want to openly air any dirty laundry in such a way that would jeopardize that.

Maybe it's just me.

AnonymousCutter · Guru

Anonymous wrote:
Maybe I was unclear. Giving customers the shopping experience that makes them want to return while in the store is one thing. But this is a public forum, that any person can access. What would that same customer who saw you in the store think about your place of employement if he or she came here and saw how you really felt? Kroger is giving you a paycheck every week for the job that you do, and that can only happen if customers continue to come in the door. I wouldn't want to openly air any dirty laundry in such a way that would jeopardize that.

Maybe it's just me.

I've spoken many of times that I do in fact care about the customer, but there is a fine line between "customer 1st" and own benefits as well. Its just like any other job that workers should be granted certain hourly wages and benefits. I mean honestly they know i'm not working there for free or to gain fame within the company. As an employee and customers I would be concerned about how Kroger treats its workers. A reflection of how workers are treated affects if i'm going to put my money into that store. I do not shop at Walmart because of the way they treat their employees. I have recently considered not shoping at Kroger for the way they treat workers. My business *might* go into HEB in the near future that is opening up soon. I would like to see change in terms of attitude towards its employees. It use to be a fun place to work before they went towards "holding everyone accountable".

Date: Oct 20, 2012

Right. It's a lot more fun to work in a place when there is no one checking up to make sure you are doing what you are supposed to be doing. Accountability makes it almost like a real job.