ALBANY, NEW YORK — A now-former Walmart employee says he was wrongfully terminated after he simply recycled empty bottles and cans left in the parking lot, an action by the retail giant that has led to widespread outrage on social media, according to a Times Union report.
Thomas Smith, a previously homeless ex-convict looking for a new lease on life, loved his new job gathering carts at an Albany, New York Walmart.
The 52-year-old, however, saw his dream job taken away from him after a seemingly innocent action.
After Smith found empty cans and bottles in the parking lot and redeemed them for a measly $5.10, a Walmart manager called him in for a chat.
The talk saw Smith accused of theft, as, according to the manager, the garbage was Walmart's property. Smith was promptly fired.
"I didn't know you couldn't take empties left behind," Smith told the Times Union. "They were garbage. I didn't even get a chance to explain myself. They told me to turn in my badge."
To add insult to injury, Smith was forced, since he didn't have cash on hand, to take an hour long bus ride back to Walmart, just to pay them back.
Despite the injustice, however, there is a silver lining to all this. Netizens disgusted by Walmart's dumb policies have taken to GoFundMe to raise a whopping $18,000 and counting for Smith.
If you'd like to help out as well visit Smith's GoFundMe campaign at: https://www.gofundme.com/ewb4c9yk.
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