COSTCO employee fired for "Doing the Right Thing"

Hello.. There are times in people's lives where they feel like they need to SPEAK UP! This is no exception... As a lot of people do, they "love" Costco. I can't say I typically disagree since I worked there for more than 15 years. Well... like the folks in Norfolk, VA.. I've had my own version of similar issues as them. I guess 'only' when Costco ends up in the news - that they do the 'right' thing. Well, that's exactly what I'm doing. On October 28, 2023 I was wrongfully terminated for 'apparently' violating the company's social media policy. It doesn't end there.

The "actual" reprimand is as follows [pg 78 #8]: "Any act that jeopardizes the order of business or safety of the Company, the employee, other employees, customers, suppliers, or Company property, including, but not limited to: (a) Unbecoming conduct or horseplay. With that said.. isn't asking a rambunctious child to 'please' get down' off a display couch helping to maintain the SAFETY of the Company??

Let me first just add that upon being fired, I applied for unemployment benefits and Costco challenged it. However, after investigation... unemployment benefits were 'granted' for 6 months. Here is the decision.

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Our decision

We approved your unemployment benefits starting Oct 22 2023. You might have other issues on your claim that prevent us from paying you. We send you separate letters about each issue affecting your claim.

You or your employer, COSTCO WHOLESALE, said you were fired for breaking a company rule or policy.

We looked at the information and found your actions were not misconduct. When we find no misconduct, you are eligible for benefits.

We decided your actions were not misconduct because:

• The information we have does not prove that your actions were misconduct.

The laws that apply are RCW 50.20.066, RCW 50.04.294, WAC 192-150-200, WAC 192-150-205 and WAC 192-150-210.

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With that said.. you should know about something else. For legal purposes, I do not want to discuss actual details of the case (since I am pursuing this case legally..), but to gain understanding - let me tell you what happened (in a nutshell).

At work one day, I saw a young boy acting unSAFELY by running across a display couch. There were NO adults anywhere (the mother was one aisle away-I found out). I approached the child and asked him to "please get down". After the mother showed up and the child was off the couch - I walk away and went back to work. The lady later complained to my manager that I "scolded" her sensory child. Let's be real.. if I 'scolded' your child-you'd probably have words with me immediately, right? That didn't happen. Red flag #1.

The lady follows me to the front of the store.. berated me in front of my coworkers and requested a manager. Upon speaking to the manager (..instead of de-escalating the situation), that manager then slanders my name by giving his 'interpreted' version of my employee file to this member. This lady then leaves the store and goes home. She gets on Facebook and POSTS about how (my full name, where I work, etc) I scolded her child and 'enlists' support from my local community. I won't go into the comments, but long story short these people are 'after' me. I talk to management about he post and their response is "we're handling it". I didn't believe that... so I show the posting to the local Sheriff's office and they tell me to tell Costco to "no longer do business with this member"... and that request was denied - even coming from local law enforcement.

Feeling threatened (by locals as well as management.. aka my job, etc) I decide to do what I can do to protect myself, since the Company was not.. and I pursue a court order for Anti-harassment/No-contact. After a couple months of thinking about how I can make the best of the situation.. I decided to private message (no SOCIAL media posting) the lady and ask that she take down the posting and apologize to the (same group) people in an efforts to 'reverse' the damage that she's already done. The lady then takes my PRIVATE messages (being that it's a private matter now and I have lacked 'support' by Costco's management) and brings them to my management, who then forwards them to corporate.

SO, not only did I do the RIGHT thing by making sure this lady's child was safe (all I saw was a small boy and a concrete floor.. two things that don't mix) as well as help alleviate possibly liability for Costco for a lawsuit after 'possibly' falling off the display couch... I was then sabotaged by my own manager. In an effort to protect myself, then I'm fired for me. Does that SOUND right? Isn't COSTCO the company that says they take CARE of their employees. Don't they say they take CARE of members? Don't they say that they DO THE RIGHT THING? Costco's management had to break their own policies in order to fire me... not to mention that since I was an employee of more than 5 years - "Prior to terminating the employment of an individual who has been employed five or more years, the circumstances must be reviewed with an Executive Vice President or above." I can't say that the Executive VP investigated or did their job in this instance.

Fast-forward to now... that 'same' manager who defamed me to the lady, who subsequently made me defend myself, has now been promoted. SO, not only does Costco not care or take accountability for their actions, they actually promoted and approve these types of behaviors. This needs to stop. SO, this is my chance. If you're a current employee and you can related to this story-feel free to reach out, spread my story. I added the link for the Norfolk, VA decision to unionize because they were having similar issues as I was having. I have discussed union activities and was told not to discuss these topics. I have also reported safety and been written up for it. They need to be held accountable. What's interesting is the response Costco gave to the news in Norfolk, "We're not disappointed in our employees; we're disappointed in ourselves as managers and leaders." With that said, what has changed? They say 'sweet words' to the public and then continue doing whatever it is they want? I call bull. Let's pull back the curtain and let people know what it's actually like...

Since being wrongfully terminated, I have lost my job-reference for the last 15+ years and even have a bad reputation with my local community because of the actions of Costco's management. Not only that, but they didn't permit me to protect myself. That is just wrong. What Costco did is the illegal act of breaking Public Policy and Employment Tort. If you think Costco is 'so great' then just realize your job is not safe and they do whatever they want for the almighty dollar, including break the law. This has affected me financially (of course! ..I'm out more than $100k in just lost wages alone), mentally, physically, etc. Currently, as I write this, I am living off borrowed loans and have been applying for jobs and with my 'bad' reputation.. haven't secured a job - not to mention the rough job market. So, I lost my bonuses, health/dentist care, etc.

If there are any lawyers out there compelled by this story - I would be humble enough to accept support (either by representation or otherwise). I also wanted to start a GoFundMe in case there are folks that feel like supporting my cause. Jokes aside-if there are any well-off folks who would like to help me 'see this through' and are able to donate to my cause (for write-off reasons or otherwise..), I would be more than grateful. I won't hide that I'm struggling. If you go into Costco and feel like the employees 'stay forever' and love their jobs, etc... just know that the CULTURE of Costco just isn't there anymore... especially since Jim Sinegal has left. The company just isn't the same.. it's a very toxic environment and if you're in a building where you don't relate to my situation or what I'm saying - be grateful because I am jealous of you. I wish I could've had good management who cares about employees and KNOW that THEY are the reason the business is there - in addition to taking care of members, which is what I did.

As I write this.. my story/situation is not over. I'm preparing for a wrongful termination case and (so far) haven't found representation, yet. I plan on telling my story and let people know MORE about what happens at Costco (after my case is over). I will be reaching out to the news in case they want my story and so far I've heard back from 3 news agencies. I will not be quiet. I will not be silenced by corporate greed. Those of you who don't know me... just know that when you are in line at Costco and the lines are all the way to the back of the store-just know that I was one of the FASTEST cashiers to help take care of you. Instacart knew me well when I worked there.. time is money for them and I always got them on their way. Not to mention, if you knew me.. you probably also left my line laughing as I enjoyed taking care of people and added sarcasm to make ringing you up more than just a grocery-store trip. I was/am one of the good ones... another reason why I'm speaking up after being 'thrown out' like this. I hope my story resonates with you all and just know I haven't even discussed the 'details' yet. I have documented my experiences with Costco's Open Door policy and will say that they are non-existent. If you call Corporate HR with an issue - all they do is pass it back on to the buildings to handle. There might be an HR department at corporate, but I will tell you it is NOT for Human Resources... it's to find ways of alleviating liability.

*I'm still deciding on 'how' I want to tell my story so if you have ideas.. please let me know. I'm considering starting a podcast and going through the evidence that I have so I can give insight into how I was treated and also to bring awareness. I'm considering going on social media platforms like X (twitter), Truth Social, Facebook (I have a little already-announcing my termination, etc), Instagram, and the like. When you wrong someone SO bad where it destroys their life.. especially after they did the RIGHT thing.. that's enough. Not only that, but it's TOO FAR. More to come... #costcounionmaybe

What I would use the funds for, if I'm able to reach my goal (or exceed) is to alleviate bills (no frills) and to help with my legal case. Simply put. I'm not here to 'make money' or profit from others, but just think of having your life crumble after giving more than 15 years to your job. Not to mention-when Covid hit.. I was one of the (very few) who went to the Union Gap (Yakima) store when they were in the news for being 'down' 70% of their workforce. I am that guy.. the guy that helps.. and receives an award for it. I just can't control BAD managers. Thank you for checking out my cause..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEt_eKQs_zA