It wasn't "take a gun to work day"

[RPB]

It wasn't "take a gun to work day" ......... or was it?

http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/si ... arista.csp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Coffee chain chief supports barista
Dutch Bros.’ top executive says it is reviewing its gun policy and security procedures after a fatal shooting
By Jack Moran
The Register-Guard
Published: Saturday, Dec 4, 2010 05:01AM

The barista who fatally shot a would-be robber at a Dutch Bros. coffee kiosk in Eugene on Nov. 24 broke company rules by taking a gun to work, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be welcomed back if and when he’s ready to return to the job, the company’s top executive said Friday.

...
Company officials and employees are working with law enforcement and security specialists on a thorough review of Dutch Bros. safety guidelines. The no-firearms policy is one of the rules that is being scrutinized, Boersma said.

Rest of the story at the link above

[Hoi Polloi]

What an awesome and seemingly genuine boss!
-1 month paid leave for victim
-Counseling services for victim
-1 week paid leave for all that location's employees
-Closed at night for employee protection
-Ongoing private security due to continuing threat
-Reviewing all company policy, specifically security policy, with employees in mind
-Assured victim that when he wants to return, he has a job
-When asked if it will hurt business, he says his concern is making sure his employees are safe

[RPB]

Yeah refreshing.

My ex boss would take steps too:

1) Install cameras in employee bathroom to be sure no one is carrying
2) Cut Health insurance and holidays and deny Christmas bonuses to defray cost of new camera security system
3) Gripe about the whole incident for years
4) Trade in Range Rover, Jaguar, Vette, and Mercedes for three new Hummers, so he and his wife and her daughter feel safer
5) Tell accountant to look for ways to cut costs.
6) Advise all employees by memo that there will be no raises again for the 20th year in a row due to increased costs of doing business.
7) Buy $700,000.00 Condo in Austin next to a Senator in a Gated Community for daughter to attend college so she feels safe
8) Tell accountant to look for ways to cut costs.
9) wait 8 months, terminate that employee for wearing an inappropriate color socks (mismatched) or for no reason given at all, so no wrongful termination suit occurs.
10) upon getting the unemployment compensation claim, advise of that employee's insubordination of violating company policies so the claim isn't charged to the company's account.
11) Tell accountant to look for ways to cut costs.

[Oldgringo]

All bosses are not created equal - that's for sure.

to the leadership of Dutch Bros.

[Keith B]

This is a good opportunity to email the company and express your support for the barista and that you applaud the company taking a re-look at their policies with an open mind.

[A-R]

While I do applaud this owner for how he's treated his employee(s) after the fact and believe he is as sincere as he seems, I can't help but wonder what would've happened if this employee had followed company policy and been unarmed?

Perhaps this is why the boss is being so generous - perhaps he is a genuinely good person who feels remorse for an idiotic policy he probably enacted without much critical thought, likely at the urging of an insurance provider.

If he truly does the right thing and removes the "no guns" policy from his employee handbook, then he will be the shining example for RKBA work policies.

But if he keep the "no guns" policy after this incident, then he just returns his employees to a dangerous status quo of having to make the "Catch 22" decision of breaking company policy or being vulnerable for 8+ hours a day just to collect a paycheck.

[Keith B]

While I do applaud this owner for how he's treated his employee(s) after the fact and believe he is as sincere as he seems, I can't help but wonder what would've happened if this employee had followed company policy and been unarmed?

Perhaps this is why the boss is being so generous - perhaps he is a genuinely good person who feels remorse for an idiotic policy he probably enacted without much critical thought, likely at the urging of an insurance provider.

If he truly does the right thing and removes the "no guns" policy from his employee handbook, then he will be the shining example for RKBA work policies.

But if he keep the "no guns" policy after this incident, then he just returns his employees to a dangerous status quo of having to make the "Catch 22" decision of breaking company policy or being vulnerable for 8+ hours a day just to collect a paycheck.

All the more reason to be proactive and email the the employer letting them know you support a change to their policy allowing their employees to be armed to defend themselves. You would be surprised at how much public input and perception will influence a company in their methods and procedures.

And the trick in this case is don't let them know you are in Texas as they are a West Coast chain. All they will see is input from a potential customer.

[The Annoyed Man]

This is a good opportunity to email the company and express your support for the barista and that you applaud the company taking a re-look at their policies with an open mind.

I did just that, sending the following through the company's website contact form:

Hello,

I am not a resident of Oregon, but I just read a news story about your company president's humane, compassionate, and reasoned handling of the employee who was involved in the recent shooting of a robbery suspect. It sounds to me like he thought his way through the problem, instead of just reacting, and he deserves recognition for that. All of your employees are fortunate to be working under the direction of such leadership. Kudos to him.

In recognition of that, should you ever decide to open kiosks in my region, I will gladly become a customer of yours. To me, it's not just about the coffee. Lots of people sell good coffee. But as a business owner myself, who put in decades of working for poorly run companies with thoughtless and cruel management, I truly appreciate well run businesses; and I will always give such a business preference over any other, even though others might cost me less.

Please convey my appreciation to Mr. Boersma for being a real mensch.

Best regards,

The Annoyed Man

[Excaliber]

Here's the message I sent to Mr. Boersma:

I am writing to compliment Mr. Travis Boersma on his practical, compassionate, and thoughtful response to the November 24 armed robbery attempt where one of your employees successfully defended his life.

As a former command level law enforcement officer and current enterprise level security consultant, I applaud the fact that your company did not fire the involved employee, and you are instead reviewing your safety and employee conduct policies to determine the best options for going forward.

A blanket "no weapons" policy advertises vulnerability and serves as neither a deterrent nor a defense, yet many company leaders refuse to acknowledge the obvious and continue to place their employees and customers in unnecessary danger. Your far different response should stand as an example to be followed.

[flintknapper]

Well done TAM & Excaliber!

I had the good fortune to work for a company that allowed concealed carry by its employee's.

I worked in the engineering dept that was comprised of rows of offices down a long hallway. Nine out of eleven of we engineers had CHL's and carried almost daily (even if only in a pistol rug on the desk).

IF anyone had ever tried to get to my office (in the back) it would have been like trying to run the gauntlet. I always felt very safe there.

Sadly, the company sold out to a group from Ohio....and I hear everything changed.

But for 11 yrs. we had it pretty good.

[Medic218]

I am beyond elated with this story!
I'm so glad that everything worked out for this poor CHL brother of ours.
GG wins, BG loses and the owner goes against his own companies policy to back his traumatized employee.
All the other stuff is just icing on the cake but deffinate kudos to the employee and the owner!

[Oldgringo]

This is a great local story. DO NOT try it in Oregon with your TexasCHL.

Lookee here.

[Katygunnut]

This is a great local story. DO NOT try it in Oregon with your TexasCHL.

Lookee here.

Not only that, but no way for a Texas resident to get a CHL that is valid in Oregon.