Customers Vow to Boycott Walmart After ‘Devoted’ Employee of 21 Years is Fired Over a Hug
Walmart is facing a small mob of angry customers upset about the firing of a beloved employee who had worked at the store for over 20 years. Kenneth Schmitz, who worked at the Manitowoc Walmart in Wisconsin, allegedly lost his job after being given a hug by a customer.
Following his firing, a GoFundMe was set up by members of the community who believed it was unfair that Schmitz had lost his job over “something completely beyond his control.” The crowdfunding page praises the former Walmart employee and calls on the company to “do the right thing” and reinstate Schmitz to his former role.
The organizer of the GoFundMe, Elizabeth Neely, said that the “customers loved him so much that they frequently initiated hugs to show their appreciation.”
“He made it a point to brighten every single person’s day as they walked in and out of the store,” Neely wrote. She strongly defended Schmitz and claimed that “Kenny did nothing wrong or inappropriate, yet he was let go simply because of the affection shown to him by the community he served so faithfully.”
Well, that community is rallying behind the ex-Walmart greeter now as the GoFundMe has raised over $8,000 out of a $9,000 goal. The funds are set to help cover Schmitz’s living costs, including groceries, bills, and other daily expenses.
Customers threaten to boycott Walmart
It seems Schmitz, who celebrated his 21st anniversary working for Walmart in May, was pretty well-liked, and Neely’s GoFundMe certainly convinced many people to jump to the man’s defense, even if they didn’t know him personally.
Walmart customers took to social media to call the company out and threaten a boycott in Schmitz’s name. “#BoycottWalmart should be trending then.” wrote one X user.
“I guess it is a crime to be nice and cheerful…who knew?” A Facebook comment reads. “He was always nice and polite to me when I would shop there,” wrote another customer who allegedly met Schmitz in person. “He never forced a hug,” they added. Others claimed that it was simply another reason to hate the retailer.
According to the New York Post, the Walmart code of conduct states that employees are not allowed to use “offensive physical contact.” This is defined as patting, grabbing, pinching, or brushing against another person. Physical touching and assault are also included.
Schmitz’s defenders claim that the greeter never initiated a hug, but some believe that “There has to be more to this story.” Walmart told the NY Post that it could not comment on personnel matters. Meanwhile, the community of customers who knew Schmit continues to sing his praises.
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