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Tim Hortons - Corporate Greed
This blog is usually about real estate but today I have to comment on the most egregious example of corporate greed that I have ever heard about.
The Canadian Press
LONDON, Ont.–Giving a free Timbit to a baby has cost a single mother of four her job. Nicole Lilliman, 27, was fired yesterday from her Tim Hortons job for giving one of the 16-cent blobs of fried dough to a tot. "I have been fired for giving a baby a Timbit," Lilliman said yesterday.
"It was just out of my heart – she was pointing and going `ah, ah...' I should have gone to my purse and got the change, but it was busy." Lilliman, who has worked at the store for three years, said she thought little of the incident since Timbits are often doled out to dogs and children. She said the baby was about 11 months old, and she gave her the treat to quiet her, since her mom – a Tims' regular – had been ``having a bad day." "I could see (the dismissal) if it was a sandwich or something," she said. "But it was a Timbit."
Three managers greeted her yesterday, saying she had been caught on video giving free food to a child. "They said, `Remember, Monday you gave out a free Timbit,' " she said. "I had to think, then I was like, `Oh yeah,' and I smiled because I thought I'd get a warning." Instead, she was fired for theft.
Giving food away is against the rules, said Tim Hortons district manager Nicole Mitchell.
The Timbits given to pets, Mitchell added, are usually "day-old and recycled."
I didn't know that you only gave stale Timbits to babies — I guess if they can't talk, they can't complain.
Postscript:
Tim Hortons responds to firing of staff member
TORONTO, May 8 /CNW/ - In regards to the recent situation with the termination of a staff member in London, Ontario.
Unfortunately the action of the manager of this location was not appropriate nor grounds for dismissal. With an apology from management Ms. Lilliman has been rehired by the franchisee.
We sincerely apologize to our customers for this unfortunate incident.
For further information: Rachel M. Douglas, Director, Public Affairs, Tim Hortons, (905) 339-6277, douglas_rachel@timhortons.com
May 8, 2008 in World View [of real estate] | Permalink
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Comments
My first job in Canada (2001) was with Tim Hortons and one day a lady with a small child came asking, how is the Ice Cappuccino taste? So without hesitation I offered her a small one free of charge and she was very happy and excited with her small child and for sure was more loyal to us.
Later I joint one of the major banks and they let us watch, as part of the customer service training, the video "Give them the pickle" in (2006) http://www.giveemthepickle.com/give_em_the_pickle_video.htm
I recommend every one to watch this video it makes you think outside of the box/guidelines/routine when you are dealing with customer service.
Luckily I am not with them now; otherwise they would have put me in Jail for giving the ice cap free.
Regards
M N
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Posted by: Cristina Dumitru | May 8, 2008 3:03:53 PM
And what does it have to do with Corporate Greed?
Firing an employee is not cheap. Certainly costs more than a Timbit.
Posted by: Moose Lion | May 8, 2008 1:27:47 PM
Stick to real estate. Who said they give stale timbits to babies? They said they give them to PETS.
Its great that people are so quick to make decisions based on having 1% of the information in a story.
Sounds like a perfect quality for a real estate agent.
Posted by: The Moose Lion | May 8, 2008 1:09:48 PM
We're from Europe and this will never happen there. This story gave us the goosebumps. I knew dismissal was easy here, but so easy? So ridiculous. But I have always liked the Starbucks coffee better, so I guess in the future you won't see us anymore at TH as well. Good luck for the lady.
Posted by: Albin | May 8, 2008 12:19:12 PM
I wonder if the store manager has had problems with her, and this provided an excuse to get rid of her. It's the only reason I can think of why they'd do this. I rarely see a TH that doesn't have a 'how hiring' sign out front, so letting go of an employee for a timbit doesn't make sense.
Posted by: Al | May 8, 2008 11:19:22 AM
Wow! That is ridiculous. I hope that poor woman is offered a job with a better employer that reads this story. Our society is pretty f&**ed up when something like this is happening. I'll probably do a mini-boycott of Tims for awhile in silent protest.
Posted by: Toronto Bear | May 8, 2008 9:52:55 AM
great post!
Posted by: property bulgaria | May 8, 2008 8:14:59 AM
