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Vet Claims Cracker Barrel Fired Him For Giving Muffin To Needy Person
June 26, 2014 5:30 PM
Cracker Barrel says 73-year-old Joe Koblenzer violated company policy but the Vietnam veteran says he was just doing the right thing. (Tim Boyle/Getty Images)
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company policy, corn muffin, Cracker Barrel, fired for giving a muffin, Joe Koblenzer, minimum wage, Vietnam veteran fired
VENICE, Fla. (CBS Tampa) – A gesture of kindness cost a 73-year-old veteran his job at a Venice Cracker Barrel, reports WWSB-TV.
Joe Koblenzer has been working for three years as greeter for the restaurant. “It’s a fun job; a job really suited to me,” he told the station.
When a man who looked like he was homeless came by two weeks ago, Koblenzer didn’t think twice about helping him. “He looked a little needy,” said Koblenzer. “He asked if I had any mayonnaise and some tarter sauce. He said he was going to cook a fish.”
Koblenzer didn’t hesitate to help the man, bringing him tarter sauce packets. “I got it for him. As I walked out I put a corn muffin in.”
He thought the good deed was done, until his manager asked to speak to Koblenzer in the office. “The General Manager called me in and said he had some bad news for me. Joe we are going to have to let you go.”
Koblenzer admits it was his third strike. Two years ago he was written up for getting a fountain drink on the job and a second time he gave a cup of coffee to woman, though Koblenzer insists she paid for it.
Koblenzer says he’s not angry. “It’s a rule. They legally can do this because I did break the rule. I completely forgot about it. I am a host at Cracker Barrel with a little above minimum wage job.”
He says he’s sad and he misses the coworkers and customers he’s gotten to know. He even earned the maximum amount of stars on his apron for performance achievement and responsibility. “You know what? At 73, I was really proud of doing this. I was really proud of getting those stars.”
Cracker Barrel released a statement to WWSB-TV:
“Mr. Koblenzer has worked as a host at Cracker Barrel’s Sarasota store since April 2011. During the time he was employed, he violated the Company’s policies regarding consuming food without paying or giving away free food, on five separate occasions. Mr. Koblenzer received multiple counselings and written warnings reminding him about the company’s polices and the consequences associated with violating them. On the fifth occasion, again per Company policy, Mr. Koblenzer was terminated.
Cracker Barrel is grateful for and honors Mr. Koblenzer’s service to our country as we honor all service men and women and their families.”
For his part, Koblenzer, who served in Vietnam, admits he broke the rules and the company has a right to let him go. But he is certain he did the right thing. “I feel badly. It shines a bad light on the company. I would not want that on any company, but it happened,” he said.
For now, Koblenzer is searching the want ads for a job that can supplement his Social Security and veterans benefits. “I don’t think I will be working for a corporation again, so I don’t know if that will ever come up (laughs).”
(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
3 comments:
This just makes me feel like crying. The man made a drink for himself? And they fire him? He did what anyone with any normal self-respect would do: he took his wages in pay and in real ownership. But nowadays, one should just shut up and take the money and not give a wit about the real means of production. Do the people in this world not realize that the man should be able to have his own restaurant?
I hope this world just collapses into a pile stinking shit.
Many company Ceo's have sold their souls to the dark side. It's the new rule of law today for many company heads that the more good one does for others, the more that person is demonized for their good deeds. That is the way of the world in these end times. The Bible teaches us that in the last days, people will call good things evil and evil things good. I believe we have reached that level of wickedness. This is not hype, It's all around us. Look at how our schools have evolved within the last few years. The school boards have forgotten what normal child behavior is. Children are getting arrested for the most ridiculous things. Just go to youtube and do some research. You need to open your eyes and ears, awake out of your slumber and see the milatarized police state, the false flags, the way our current administration pretends to be on the side of the American people and refuses to take any action against the IRS scandal, Benghazi, and many others. Eric Holder refuses to adhere to our constitutional law as he blatantly allows the criminality of the IRS to florish against innocent people. The attorney General of the dept of "Just Us" needs to be removed from office, Where is the military when you need them? They have sold their souls and have a new loyalty to protect the USA corporation, and leave the rest of us for dead. In the end, we will all get what we deserve. You can be sure of it!
Do nothing, get nothing.
Jackie Blue
If that story is true, then what a shocker!
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