Walgreens Pharmacist Gets Fired for Defending...

[Gr8_Outdoorsman]

I apologize if this has already been posted, but I didn't see it in this forum yet. This is a link to an NRA interview of a Walgreens pharmacist in Michigan that used his CCW to defend his and his co-workers' lives. Walgreens then terminated him via e-mail for carrying a weapon while on the clock.

It's an enlightening video to say the least....

http://home.nra.org/#/home/VideoModule/4575

[Keith B]

Here's a news article on this http://www.heraldpalladium.com/articles ... 820927.txt" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I think I am gonna move my prescriptions.

[C-dub]

Never have liked Walgreens. Now I actually have an articulable reason.

[Gr8_Outdoorsman]

I agree and I'll likely switch pharmacies as well solely because of this event. Although, I'm sure the other chain pharmacies would react similarly, Walgreens had this opportunity to do the right thing and chose not to. It will be interesting to see how this pans out as it seems to be getting a lot of attention that Walgreens doesn't want. I wouldn't be surprised if Walgreens didn't come back and fire the manager that sent a thank you card with pictures of his children and grand kids in it....

[The Mad Moderate]

While I applaud his actions, the company policy is clear I have read here many times, folks saying they wont't carry at work because they would get fired if they were discovered. A company has a right to make its own policies regarding CHL and their employees . Hopefully this can be used as an example where guns save lives and a starting point for CHL gaining more mainstream acceptance and possibly bring a few more to our side.

[Gr8_Outdoorsman]

While I applaud his actions, the company policy is clear I have read here many times, folks saying they wont't carry at work because they would get fired if they were discovered. A company has a right to make its own policies regarding CHL and their employees . Hopefully this can be used as an example where guns save lives and a starting point for CHL gaining more mainstream acceptance and possibly bring a few more to our side.

I'm not sure that the company was clear according to the fired pharmacist. It didn't address the licensed carry of firearms on their premises from what I gathered.

[chasfm11]

Reading the comments is enlightening. They all appear to be supportive of the pharmacist and critical of Wal-Greens. It is unfortunate that comments like those cannot seem to override whatever is driving Wal-Green's policy.

It amazes me, with all of the workplace rules that exist, how lax security is tolerated. Shame on the store if the employee slips on a wet spot on the floor but it is OK if a BG blows the pharmacist away during a robbery because the store failed to address its security issues. Where is the liability for that?

[comp73]

I sent them an e-mail stating that they had lost a customer due to this. The auto response tells me that a Walgreens CSR will contact me in regards to my comments, we'll see. If the response is written, then I'll post a copy here.

[Gr8_Outdoorsman]

I sent them an e-mail as well stating the following:

I felt obligated to write and let you know that I will no longer do business with Walgreens after the firing of Jeremy Hoven at the Benton Township store in Michigan. It is appalling that you would fire a trusted employee for defending their life and the lives of others using the right that was granted to him by the second amendment. The Walgreens organization then demonstrated it's level of class by performing the termination via e-mail instead of meeting with him personally. Shame on Walgreens for allowing corporate policy to go against better judgment and doing whats right.

Granted, I am only a single customer, but I am sharing this story with as many online communities as possible as it needs to be known how Walgreens operates. The responses have been overwhelmingly supportive of Mr. Hoven's actions, yet overwhelmingly negative of Walgreens actions. A brief online search on your part would prove this to be the case as well.

I'm sure that other chain pharmacies have similar policies as Walgreens, but Walgreens had the opportunity to do what's right and failed miserably in my and many others' opinions.

I sincerely hope that Walgreens re-examines it's stance on the lawful defense of one's life.

[wo5m]

I also sent then an e-mail and got the following reply

Dear David,


Thank you for contacting Walgreens regarding this matter. Our policies in this area are designed to maintain the maximum safety of our customers and employees.Store employees receive comprehensive training on our company’s robbery procedures and how to react and respond to a potential robbery situation. In past incidents, employees have told us they’ve found this training effective.These policies and training programs are endorsed by law enforcement, which strongly advises against confrontation of crime suspects.Compliance is safer than confrontation. Through this practice, we have been able to maintain an exemplary record of safety.We’ve made significant investments in security technology in recent years, including increasing the number of digital surveillance cameras at our stores.With upgrades to security technology, we are able to provide police with high-resolution photographs and video of crime suspects.We continue to invest in state-of-the-art security measures and high-definition surveillance equipment and hope that the apprehension of robbery suspects in the Benton Harbor area will prevent future crimes. Thank you for contacting Walgreens to share your comments.


Sincerely,


Benny H
Consumer Response Representative


Ref # 3084218

[Gr8_Outdoorsman]

Yep,,, a standard statement that I'm sure we'll all likely receive.... Pretty much what I expected.

I'm sure the significant investment in "security" cameras will go a long way in protecting their customers and employees.....

[gigag04]

When I worked a shooting at a convenience store where the clerk shot the bg, we (LE) were very supportive. This CSR rep is a liar.

[Purplehood]

Their response mimics the USAA response. I guess Corporate Lawyers have templates for responses.

[Kythas]

I also sent then an e-mail and got the following reply

Dear David,


Thank you for contacting Walgreens regarding this matter. Our policies in this area are designed to maintain the maximum safety of our customers and employees.Store employees receive comprehensive training on our company’s robbery procedures and how to react and respond to a potential robbery situation. In past incidents, employees have told us they’ve found this training effective.These policies and training programs are endorsed by law enforcement, which strongly advises against confrontation of crime suspects.Compliance is safer than confrontation. Through this practice, we have been able to maintain an exemplary record of safety.We’ve made significant investments in security technology in recent years, including increasing the number of digital surveillance cameras at our stores.With upgrades to security technology, we are able to provide police with high-resolution photographs and video of crime suspects.We continue to invest in state-of-the-art security measures and high-definition surveillance equipment and hope that the apprehension of robbery suspects in the Benton Harbor area will prevent future crimes. Thank you for contacting Walgreens to share your comments.


Sincerely,


Benny H
Consumer Response Representative


Ref # 3084218

In other words, our high resolution video cameras will assist the coroner and homicide investigators in determining the identity of any individuals involved in the murder of our customers and employees.

[Excaliber]

While I applaud his actions, the company policy is clear I have read here many times, folks saying they wont't carry at work because they would get fired if they were discovered. A company has a right to make its own policies regarding CHL and their employees . Hopefully this can be used as an example where guns save lives and a starting point for CHL gaining more mainstream acceptance and possibly bring a few more to our side.

While a company has a right to regulate conduct on their property, when their rules require that their employees lay down their lives during vicious crimes to protect the corporate coffers from liability, it places those people in the unenviable position of having to decide between their jobs and their lives.

It's been observed that dead employees who obeyed all the rules don't earn salaries either.