(PCM) A Michigan grocery store employee named Fred Civis is claiming that he was fired from his job at Plumb’s Valu-Rite Foods for simply giving a customer a hug.
Civis is currently facing charges for the incident and it is certainly stirring up quite a bit of controversy and national attention to the small community of Whitehall.
In his defense, Civis claims that greeting customers with a hug was nothing more than the friendly way he welcomed them to the store throughout his 39 years as an employee.
It appears that one customer wasn’t feeling the love and their complaint is what allegedly led to Civis’ termination and criminal charges.
Recently a Facebook page was set up called “Boycott Whitehall Plumb’s For Fred” and has already received over 8,000 likes as it continues to help support Civis and what they feel was his wrongful termination and charges.
Civis described the incident in question as a “pal hug” described as putting your arm around the shoulder, like “best pals”. He says he was let go a few days after the incident and the initial customer complaint. Unfortunately it did not end there for Civis, as later that evening the authorities came to his home and arrested him on misdemeanor assault and battery.
Civis is incredibly humbled and thankful for the outpouring of support he has received from members of the community and claims that he kept the job in hopes of making a difference in the community and the support shows that he has definitely made that difference a reality.
The CEO and president of Plumb’s James Nadar provided the following statement about the incident ”
Plumbs Value-Rite Foods is committed to providing a safe, enjoyable shopping experience for all of our customers. We have policies in place at all of our Plumb’s locations to ensure that everyone who comes to our store is treated appropriately and respectfully.
“The decision to terminate Fred Civis from our Whitehall Market was difficult. The decision came after multiple violations of our policies, one of which resulted in a criminal complaint from a shopper at our Whitehall store. Though we have received strong criticism for our decision we remain firm in our belief that the safety and comfort of our customers must always come first.
“We are honored to serve our customers as their neighborhood market and we will continue working to ensure that Plumb’s customers have the finest shopping experience anywhere.”Plumbs Value-Rite Foods is committed to providing a safe, enjoyable shopping experience for all of our customers. We have policies in place at all of our Plumb’s locations to ensure that everyone who comes to our store is treated appropriately and respectfully.
The decision to terminate Fred Civis from our Whitehall Market was difficult. The decision came after multiple violations of our policies, one of which resulted in a criminal complaint from a shopper at our Whitehall store. Though we have received strong criticism for our decision we remain firm in our belief that the safety and comfort of our customers must always come first.
We are honored to serve our customers as their neighborhood market and we will continue working to ensure that Plumb’s customers have the finest shopping experience anywhere.”
Civis is due in court for a preliminary hearing on the assault and battery charges on September 16th. Until then there will be continued protests outside of the grocery store as people are holding up signs and chanting “We Want Fred!” while giving out plenty of hugs.
The post Grocery Store Employee Fired For Hugging A Customer also appeared on PCM Lifestyle.