And they won’t back down
It’s always difficult to fire an employee, especially one that’s popular, dependable, and out-going. And yet, a West Plains, Missouri Walmart did just that when it fired Frank Swanson, an employee with almost 20 years of service. Although Walmart is being criticized for their choice, it does not appear as if it will back down. This Saturday, April 9, over a thousand people have pledged to be at a protest held in his honor. So what happened?
Who is Frank Swanson?
Swanson is a 52-year old man who was three weeks away from his 20th anniversary with Walmart. When he was in 8th grade, he fractured his skull after falling out of the back of his grandfather’s pickup. He was in a coma for six weeks, and when he finally healed from the accident, he was left with partial paralysis and brain damage. According to his brother, Frank just wanted to make people happy. He gave Walmart customers hugs and deals.
Swanson admits that he didn’t follow store policy and make customers show an ad to get a lower price match. He would lower the price at the customer’s word. He also gave hugs. Store managers had recently cautioned him to ask customers before hugging. Swanson said that once he was told to do so, he did. It’s reported that he was fired after lowering the price on an item for a customer by 50 cents.
Walmart’s response
The company released a statement, saying, in part, that “part of being a cashier is making sure customers are paying for their merchandise before they leave the store; in many instances, this was not happening.” Walmart has the added burden of maintaining privacy, which will make it difficult for them to defend their actions. Although Frank does ask if the customer wants hugs, giving hugs in the workplace is a liability issue for any business, especially one that has children and vulnerable adults.
Business, not personal
Much of the support has been for Swanson, not only on the Hugs for Frank Facebook page, but on the official Walmart page, and the Walmart West Plains page. Some have accused Walmart of firing Frank to avoid paying for his benefits. We may never know the full story, but it is important to remember that businesses have to make decisions based on the best interests of the business and their customers, not just one individual. Swanson is positive that he will find another position soon.
