Single doughnut hole giveaway costs employee her job
June 17, 2008 by Shane BorerPosted in: Compliance, Latest news & views, Whistleblowers
Thieving employees should be punished — no argument there. But there’s a fine line between building customer rapport and outright stealing. Or so we thought.
Apparently, Canadian-based doughnut franchise Tim Hortons doesn’t see a difference between handing out a 16-cent treat to a toddler and helping oneself to whatever’s in the cash register.
Nicole Lilliman, a single mother of four and long-time employee, was terminated for giving a frequent customer’s crying baby a "Timbit" (the Canadian version of a doughnut hole).
Lilliman said the act was out of the kindness of her heart, and she should have gone to her purse and gotten change, but the store was too busy for her to step away.
Breaking policy outright would be one thing, but the Timbits are often given out to children and dogs. District Manager Nicole Mitchell claimed that Lilliman’s case was very different, and that the treats given to children and pets are always "day-old and recycled." (If that isn’t downright appetizing, we don’t know what is.)
Eventually, franchise execs came around and demanded Lilliman have her job back, since it was the first time she’d given away a fresh Timbit instead of the day-old-scraps version.
Popularity: 1% [?]
June 21st, 2008 at 4:50 pm
The company was “Lucky” enough to have an employee that was sympathetic to the Customers needs. In todays soceity, we are often too worried about ourselves than others.
Good Cusomter Service is to show you “Care” That’s all it really takes. Sounds Simple, doesn’t it? If you take care of your customer your customer will take care of you! My advise to the emplyee is, Work hospitality, you’ll do great!
August 15th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Disgusting! Shame on that district manager to put a single mom of four and longtime employee through that kind of stress for a 14 cent donut hole that she didn’t even eat herself! Has she ever heard of progressive discipline? Honestly, I even think that “Don’t do that again or I’ll see you written up” would have been harsh enough in itself. Thank goodness the execs stepped in and saved the day.
August 15th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
This is absurd….all restaurant employees should be so kind. In today’s society, alot of restaurant workers expect the customer to be there and give good tips. Do they realize if it weren’t for the returning customer, they wouldn’t have a job?? Good job Nicole…keep up the kindness!!!
August 18th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Tim Hortons ought to be ashamed of itself. This should be a lesson in the cost of baed PR. And giving day old donut holes to kids and dogs? Who counsels these people in dealing with the media anyway? Do kids get to drink out of bowls on the floor as well?