What The Cluck? Popeye's Chicken Manager Fired After She Refuses To Pay Back $400 Taken By Armed Robber. Is This Fair?

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 14:38:56 -0400

A Houston-area manager of a Popeye's Fried Chicken restaurant has been fired after refusing to payback the $400.00 she was forced to hand over during an armed robbery. Is this fair?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2015 3:09 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 15:09:42 -0400

No, sir. I think that's a ridiculous suggestion, that the victim of an armed robbery (she was kinda/sorta the victim) should repay what the armed robber took. Is this from the Duffel Blog?

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Apr 22 at 2015 3:11 PM

LCpl Mark Lefler — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 15:11:21 -0400

it wasn't her responsibility to stand up to an armed robber, I have a hard time believing this is real, its just so out there.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2015 3:12 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 15:12:14 -0400

I know where I'm not eating anymore. Not that I ate there to begin with.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Apr 22 at 2015 3:15 PM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 15:15:22 -0400

Was she allowed to carry while on duty?

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Apr 22 at 2015 3:27 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 15:27:18 -0400

I guess I have mixed emotions about this one... Please bear with me.

She should not be fired for refusing to pay back the money that was stolen in an armed robbery, however, maybe she should have been for failure to follow company policy concerning the amount of money in the registers, thereby failing in her responsibilities as a supervisor. In addition, according to the article, this was not her first offense.

The proximate cause of the money loss was the armed robbery, not her actions, but the proximate cause of the amount of money stolen was her failure to clean out the cash and put it in the safe. Therefore, I think the company was within its right to seek restitution fro her negligence or to terminate her. Bottom line is that she was fired for violation of company policy, not for refusing to repay the money.

Having said that... I think the company should have given her a suspension, not terminate her. I predict they will lose a lot more than $400 over this and that she will get thousands of dollars in donations from across the country; probably more than she would make in a year working there.

Don't you just love it when a story ahs a happy ending? :-) :-)

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2015 3:57 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 15:57:29 -0400

WOW! Seriously?

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Apr 22 at 2015 3:59 PM

Cpl Jeff N. — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 15:59:38 -0400

If true, this will be a public relations nightmare for the. They will go from Popeye's to Blackeye's over night. They must have corporate communications and PR folks that would know better than this.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Apr 22 at 2015 4:13 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 16:13:54 -0400

She needs to take it to an attourney, and sue Popeye's for damages. If she is responsible for paying back the money ROBBED from the till at gunpoint, then why isn't Popeye's on the hook for the unsafe working conditions that allowed an armed gunman to rob the store in the first place.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Apr 22 at 2015 4:17 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 16:17:10 -0400

Kinda looks like her....Had to share!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiP515YySJE

Popeyes Chicken Slogan Commercial

Yep, I have entered the contest. #lovethatchicken

Response by SPC David S. made Apr 22 at 2015 4:28 PM

SPC David S. — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 16:28:17 -0400

As this was in Texas, where ever one is packing, don't see how this cowboy didn't end up eating lead.

However she needs to get a lawyer and sue the owner for workers comp as she has suffered psych trauma in fearing of losing her unborn baby as well as her own life. Sue for a $1,000,000 minus the $400 in question. Hopefully this will strike some reasoning in the owner.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 22 at 2015 5:08 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 17:08:19 -0400

It is quite unfair. The robber with the gun caused the loss of funds. The funds in the registers did not cause the loss of funds.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Apr 22 at 2015 5:22 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 17:22:38 -0400

I posted my serious thoughts on this, so now it is time to be a wise ass: They needed the deputy who mistook his pistol for a tazer in there. That would have ended it. He goes to hand the robber his wallet and shoots him instead.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Apr 22 at 2015 5:29 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 17:29:25 -0400

Looks like Corporate is working to rectify this through the franchise owner, still a blow to the brand for a bad decision at a lower level.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Apr 22 at 2015 5:56 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 17:56:26 -0400

Four hundred dollars is not that much but there seems to be some facts we are not being presented...I want the Paul Harvey on this one...like the father of her baby is the man in the orange hat?

Response by SFC Walt Littleton made Apr 22 at 2015 6:07 PM

SFC Walt Littleton — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 18:07:05 -0400

Gave this a lot of thought and couldn't decide either way. The article didn't supply enough information.

Since retiring I've been the manager of several cash businesses. There has to be more to the story than her being fired for extra money in the till.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Apr 22 at 2015 6:21 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 18:21:26 -0400

Retail 101. Speaking from a DECADE of a experience.

"However, a spokesman in the company's human resources department said Holcomb was fired because she didn't follow company policy, leaving too much money in the cash register. And this wasn't her first offense."

I'm not sure how many registers the location had, however standard retail registers hold approximately $200 each, so they can make change (4x $20, 6x $10, 4x $5, 20x $1, 40x $.25, 50x $.10, 100x $.05, 100x $.01).

When you get over a specific threshold, the register will normally call for a "drop" which is to get excess cash out of the registers.

$400.00 is not a large amount for a 2-3 register operation. Could it be above the required threshold? Sure. Is it well below the standard insurance policy for "cash on hand." Absolutely. Can a franchise make an employee pay back the difference? Not a chance, especially if there is an active police investigation or an insurance report.

All this said. I cannot say she wasn't in violation of policy. I don't know how many active registers she had, but I can assume she had at least two (Drive through + main dining area), which would necessitate at least $400 on hand. Any less than that makes it extremely difficult to run a cash business. They can mitigate that a little by not taking $50/$100s, and trim the registers down to about $100 each... but even then $400 "active" funds is not unreasonable.

I know of times where my cash receipts would exceed several thousand dollars, and I would be doing drops every 15 minutes, just to get them out of the register.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2015 6:35 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 18:35:19 -0400

MSgt Stephan Hall, under what purposes do you justify down-voting my post, MSgt?

Response by MSgt Stephan Hall made Apr 22 at 2015 6:55 PM

MSgt Stephan Hall — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 18:55:20 -0400

I didn't actually I was trying to respond and lost the link when it froze,

Response by MSgt Stephan Hall made Apr 22 at 2015 6:57 PM

MSgt Stephan Hall — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 18:57:31 -0400

It just froze again, but anyway she needs to move on to a better employer.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2015 7:50 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 19:50:14 -0400

It is total Bullcrap!

Response by SGT Michael Touchet made Apr 22 at 2015 8:41 PM

SGT Michael Touchet — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 20:41:14 -0400

No, this is not a fair practice.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2015 9:57 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 21:57:21 -0400

I believe the article said she was officially fired for having too much money in the register. It was not the first time it happened. I think that is a weak reason. I think the manager who talked about recouping the money will probably be fired.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Apr 22 at 2015 11:13 PM

LTC John Shaw — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 23:13:28 -0400

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member Wow! Armed Robbery, with police report and the company is coming after her for the money. Dumba$$ move by the Franchise and the parent company. They can claim violation of company policy all they want, bottom line this is the wrong decision. I hope she is able to recover and bounce back from this event. She does not deserve to be terminated due to the armed felons actions.

Response by SFC Charles S. made Apr 23 at 2015 12:33 AM

SFC Charles S. — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 00:33:56 -0400

I smell a law suite brewing. I am pretty sure she could sue the company for unlawful termination, because they should carry liability insurance that would cover the loss of the $400. If they paid the insurance then she should not be liable for that amount. They have grounds to fire her for failing to decrease the register holdings if that is required by her job description but being fired for non-repayment of an amount that was already recouped by insurance is wrong.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2015 5:10 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 05:10:05 -0400

I am not agreeing with what happened but they did have grounds for firing her. If she sues she will lose. From what I read she has been wrote up multiple times for leaving too much cash in the til. It could be possible that she has been known for doing that and she made the target of opportunity.

When I worked for Walmart in the management I could "Coach" people for the same thing. (Coaching at Walmart is the same as Counseling in the Army) It is a very dangerous practice. Sometimes you could get a couple thousand in a register if it was not tended too. People see this and it may lead to a criminal taking advantage of the situation. If an employee was wrote up for doing this she most likely was warned about the dangers of leaving so much cash in the til. Then she failed to correct the action and then a criminal notices the mistake and robs them.

Just about all larcenies and thefts are crimes of opportunity. If you take away these opportunities then you will prevent crime. It is pretty rare to see a fast food restaurant get robbed. Then to get robbed with having so much in the til is even more rare.

The company also has all the facts. The victim stated that is all from one hour of sale. All of these companies have Loss Prevention or Asset Protection Specialists. I am sure they can find out how long the money has been in the til.

If you make a mistake you should be corrected. If you make the same mistake again and it leads to a failure in your company or business then that person should be held accountable.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2015 8:21 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 08:21:33 -0400

Sounds rather strange. But, before judging I would need to know all of the facts.

Were there policies violated that resulted in a higher loss? Then only the difference should be considered.

Was she a part of the robbery plan? Then she should go to jail.

Etc Etc.

Response by CW5 Jim Steddum made Apr 23 at 2015 8:30 AM

CW5 Jim Steddum — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 08:30:46 -0400

That is what insurance is for.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Apr 23 at 2015 8:31 AM

SCPO David Lockwood — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 08:31:07 -0400

She did her job by insuring her crew and the customers did not get hurt. You would think that being a fast food restaurant that there is a slight possibility this may happen. This company shows they care more about making money than their own people. What a shame I hope she sues and gets as much as she can from that company.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2015 9:11 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 09:11:59 -0400

I worked for a company and had to do collecting at people's homes. We had a set amount of cash that we were allowed to carry. If that amount was reached the next stop had to be to make a deposit. If we were found to have more than that amount and the overage was not from the last collection it was a fireable offense.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2015 10:35 AM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 10:35:35 -0400

I would bet my next paycheck that Popeyes backs down from this one. They are wrong, and have everything to lose! Bad press, lost business, and a potential law suit that will cost them much more than $400. Besides, don't they have insurance?

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2015 10:40 AM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 10:40:59 -0400

So, as the Manager (add, the pregnant Manager), I am expected to protect the f*cking ghost pepper chicken strips before myself, my child, and my staff??

I will happily and expeditiously tell you where to shove that $400. That is all.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Apr 23 at 2015 10:54 AM

SPC Charles Brown — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 10:54:53 -0400

Having been a manager in a fast food restaurant I see this slightly differently than any choices offered. I was trained that the safety of the crew was first priority during any robbery attempt. Money can be replaced, lives of friends, family and co-workers cannot! In the event of a robbery I was told to cooperate with the criminals and give them the money while protecting the lives of those who work with and for me. Physical damage to myself is acceptable as long as no one else is injured. Being made or expected to pay back the money taken in the robbery should NEVER happen, unless the manager is found to be complicit in the commission of the crime.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2015 11:33 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 11:33:53 -0400

I agree with comments I saw Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS make. She did violate company policy, so what the company does to discipline her for that failure is up to them, unfortunately for the employee.

However, without more information, I see no reason why she should be responsible for money stolen. The money wasn't lost on account of her negligence. If $400 are accessible from even a single drawer, it is obvious this was an oversight by the manager that blew up in her face. The only argument i see one could make that denies this would be to say that she intentionally left the money in the drawer for it to be robbed, in which case a lot more money would have been lost.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2015 11:56 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 11:56:42 -0400

It is going to be a PR nightmare, I think Popeye's Corporate will look to resolve this and make it look like a one store issue.

The store has a policy on the amount of money in the register, while I don't doubt violation of policy is a reason to fire someone, taking in to account the actual operation of the store matter. If it happened during a rush, or off peak.
In the end if the store owner wanted to fire her, that was not the best time to do it. Especially not with the pay with the money or your job ultimatum.

Response by SPC Robert Bobo made Aug 28 at 2019 7:39 PM

SPC Robert Bobo — Wed, 28 Aug 2019 19:39:04 -0400

The Popeyes I've visited this year have all been severely understaffed as they can't find employees as wages are to low and the near by bums holding " will work for food signs" won't work, in addition, in most cases that poor shift manager is scrambling just to keep up with work load, having manager pay will never fly