TRUE STORY…COMMENTS WELCOME!
I would like to tell you a quick story about something that has been bothering me for quite some time now. About a year ago I was terminated from my position as the Store Manager at a local video store. This was the first time I’d ever been “fired” from a job in my life. Okay, so why did I get fired? I spoke my mind on my beliefs. It’s as simple and as difficult as that.
Now, for a little background on my position with the company. I personally took pride in my job for the first time in my life. I was actually excited to go to work. I had great employees who worked VERY hard for me, and we had a lot of fun. I had taken on all the usual tasks that a manage does; payroll, scheduling, ordering, etc. I worked alongside my employees instead of over them, and I took customer service very seriously there and made quite a few good relationships with them as well. On the numbers side of things, I had lowered payroll from 32% down to 17% in just 6 months there and also increased sales by 24%!!! Those are some awesome numbers especially in the small town I lived in. How I achieved those numbers was simple. Treat every customer how you would want to be treated and realize that without your employees, you wouldn’t have a store. We were all a team and working toward the same goal which was essentially making the company money. Okay, enough of that.
Unfortunately there was a small theft problem there and in surrounding cities so our District Manager called a Management meeting. At that meeting we were basically told to profile our customers whom I completely disagree with anyway, however, to this certain “profile” we were told that we should keep “close” eye on customers with black hair, tattoos, and visible piercings. We were told that they are not trustworthy and they are most likely to steal our inventory. Here’s where I took it personal. Not only was I (to my belief based on customer satisfaction, employee management reviews, and store numbers) a great manager, but, I had black hair, 4 tattoos, and a Monroe piercing. Ouch!!!! I was to go back to my store and teach my employees an unethical practice and also to not trust me as their manager, being I fit that description to a “t”. I had politely asked if there were any other alternatives to this subject matter and that our store has come up with some great ways to “trial” new customers. Well, my suggestion was quickly shut down and I was told that if I didn’t agree with their “practices” than maybe I should find new profession. Needles to say I was hurt and confused since I was ranked 6 in the company overall and my store was ranked 1 and 2 for the past 4 months!! One week later, my district manager showed up and fired me, when I asked for a reason he said there was an issue at the manager’s meeting that was insubordinate and that I just wasn’t working out. I knew why I was fired but can’t believe to this day that it happened. My job, my career, ended over my speaking up about my morals and point of view. I’ve practically written a book here but I just wanted to get some advice or input on this situation since I feel I was wronged. I want people to know that looks don’t matter! Haven’t we grown as a country to get over that by now? I am a straight A student, always have been, I support myself, pay all my bills,(on time), and am involved in my community as well. I feel badly that I was stereotyped in that matter knowing that I have already achieved self-actualization and am quite proud of that. Is there somehow I may have handled this differently, or am I just blowing this out of proportion???
As an employer I would have profiled you in the hiring process. I have no interest in having my business represented by somebody who is tattooed and pierced. Most people look at people who have done that to themselves as those who have deliberately chosen to ostracize themselves from mainstream society and have chosen some sort of counter-culture instead. It may not be fair but I don't want sombody like that being the poster boy for my business. Of course I would have given you some other reason for not hiring you that would not make me a target for a lawsuit.
If you have big plans in life then you had better plan on starting your own business and being your own boss because beyond low level service jobs not many people are going to cut you a break if you continue to look like you reject mainstream society. It sounds like you have some talent so that might work for you.