Family Dollar review: My manager falsely accused me of theft.

First of all, it's so hard to get a hold of anyone to complain to. Can't get through to anyone by calling, the email addresses I've tried so far either do not exist or cannot receive mail, and this entire situation has taken a very heavy toll on my mental health disorders. So here's what happened.

This is my 4th attempt at making this complaint. My next steps will likely be a demand letter or legal action, though, I would much rather resolve this matter amicably because I truly enjoy working at my local Family Dollar store, as it does wonders for my mental health, being able to help the people in my community and make them smile.

I was an associate at Family Dollar, store #11547 in Asherton, Texas, until September 17, 2023. I am writing to file a formal complaint about the unfair and unethical treatment I received from my manager, who coerced me into quitting my job after falsely accusing me of theft, allowing her to control the narrative and collect a monetary reward.

On September 15, 2023, an Assistant Manager placed several items on the counter at my register, as he was about to take his lunch break, and told me to scan only one item and put everything in a bag. He did not pay for everything he took.

Later that day, at or around 9:50 PM, I placed some cleaning products on the counter at his register and told him I could not afford one of the items after all, and would not be buying it. He said it was fine and put everything in a bag without scanning all of the items. Afterward, while he counted his till, I separated the unpaid items from the paid ones and left them in the store in a separate bag. I did not take anything home that I did not pay for.

I did not refuse nor confront the AM concerning the unethical activity he was attempting to involve me in because I was trying to avoid a confrontation or escalation that would inevitably end in a “His word against mine” situation with no evidence of wrongdoing.

On September 16, 2023, upon being questioned about the bag of unpaid items as I walked into the store for my shift, I explained to my manager what happened and expected her to investigate the matter and clear my name. Instead, she said she had already reported the incident to the Regional Manager and accused the Assistant Manager and I of being cohorts in theft. She made me feel like I would be fine nonetheless and asked me to work my shift as usual, even though theft is an automatic termination. But if my Manager had sent me home then she would have had to stay, which she did not want because we were preparing for inventory. Anyway...

On September 17, 2023, at 8:11 AM, I received a text from my Manager asking me to call her. I read the text at 1:40 PM, and I called her. She told me the Assistant Manager had quit and did not show up for his shift. She also suggested that I should quit as well, saying that, otherwise, criminal charges would be filed against me, my employment record would be “ruined forever”, and I would “not be able to work anywhere.” She repeatedly said these things as well as that she should not be talking to me or telling me anything. She pressured me into quitting by making me feel scared. She knows I suffer from anxiety and other mental illnesses (Possible ADA violation?).

At 4:08 PM, she informed me via text that the AM and I were banned from the store but that she would still allow me to shop there because I was a good person and a great employee who just made a mistake (I thought my mistake was not initially confronting my AM and not refusing to do as he instructed) and she knew that my living situation was difficult.

From September 18, 2023, through September 22, 2023, I frequented the store almost daily, despite the supposed ban.

On September 23, 2023, at 11:17 AM, Yvette informed me via text that an official Police report had been filed against me, and that I could “no longer set foot in this store.” At 11:29 AM I replied to her text, reiterating my innocence (see attached screenshot).

At 11:35 AM, she replied to tell me that Alex and I, again, during a “corporate meeting” this time, had been banned and that she “will not break the rules”, even though breaking the rules was habitual for her. Throughout my initial onboarding and training, she did not allow me to read or watch the training videos, which I wasn't even told about until 2 months after being hired. She instructed all employees to skip through training videos and safety meeting newsletters in order to save time and get back to work. I didn't know about the $1000 reward for turning in employees who steal until after I lost my job. Fire extinguishers were not checked every month as scheduled, the warehouse was always in disarray, the ladder was never chained up as it was supposed to be stored, wet floor signs were not displayed when the floor was wet, nobody was allowed to answer the phone other than the Manager because a previous employee had been "scammed" before I was hired, only the Manager could perform returns and exchanges because one of the AM's "numbers" were "low", and I can go on and on. I will give credit to the Store Manager for making tremendous positive improvements to the store since transferring to the Asherton location. She is very charismatic and liked by many shoppers, and seems to be a decent Manager. But this store needs more than just good Managers. It needs leaders. Leaders who will make needed changes in store practices and properly train staff. Unfortunately, none of the Managers no Assistant Managers I've encountered at this store have had any management or leadership training. They are selected based on minimum work ethic qualities such as attendance and punctuality, and they do not receive any formal management training.

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