[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by buggyone

I sincerely doubt if this action will hurt Cracker Barrel business one iota.

They seem to be already taking counter measures. Cracker Barrel Fires 73-Year-Old Veteran Who Gave Food To 'Needy' Man

[mixsonci]

Really cheap company if they can't give a cup of coffee away. I just read an article last week about 10 worst employers, smaller businesses not large conglomerates, didn't see Cracker Barrel but I'd like to add the cheapskates to that list.

[Marion]

It might have turned out differently for him if he had bought the items himself first and then given them away.

[Topspinmo]

I would find it kinda hard to stay in business with the help given it away. I sure CB has donated before. Only the Fed Gov. give others money away in one hand and Suck the blood out of others in the other hand. The employee should of been fired after the second incident. NO Means NO. well, maybe after 5 times

[rubicon]

This could have been a really good example to discuss situation ethics but for one small point the employee also helped himself to items. Had he just given some food items to needy once and a while this could have been an example to build on for discussion of suppose then is it still OK.

Unfortunately one of the biggest problems facing many employers is petty theft by employees. A muffin here and a muffin there and pretty soon an employer is faced with some serious shortages.

[dirtbanker]

Originally Posted by Marion

It might have turned out differently for him if he had bought the items himself first and then given them away.

Exactly! It appears there is a long line of generous people that have nothing of their own to give away...

[dirtbanker]

By the way, is the title of this thread age discrimination? Or is it reverse age discrimination? Should his age be a factor???

[Bonnevie]

or the fact that he's a veteran? the whole story is being slanted to feel sorry for this man who was counseled many, many times not to continue doing it. even though it doesn't seem like a lot, other employees could see him get away with it and figure taking a few things here and there is no big thing....those small items add up. He was wrong and the fact that he's 73 and a veteran should have no news impact. Also, if the company doesn't follow-up and take action, then anyone else caught stealing could claim unfair treatment.

[CarolSells]

I agree with many of the above posters. The man's heart may have been in the right place but company policy has to take precedence here.

I used to do restaurant accounting and anyone who has been in the food industry knows that the profit margin is not that large. Many factors effect the bottom line. Employee theft is huge.

IMO, he should have paid for the items himself or gotten prior approval from the company to give handouts to the needy which might then have been seen as good PR.

[buggyone]

Basically, this is a non-story. Would it even be mentioned if the man was a 26 year old server?

He did wrong, was previously been warned, and now had to pay the penalty.