Wrongful Termination for a Good Deed

Do I have a case? Should I contact a lawyer?

On July 4th 2008 I was terminated from my 7-month job at Walmart for gross misconduct.

A few days prior to the incident, I was heading home, off the clock, and I stumbled upon a persons debit card in the parking lot. I opted to return it on my own accord instead of going back inside and handing it into my management, for the sake and gratuity of being able to directly impact someones life & make them happy.

In trying to figure out how to contact them, I made an error in judgement by using the card for an insignificant amount at a store, believing that the receipt may give a phone number, address, or any other contact information. It did not, so I went home and used the white pages online to search for them. I did find the owner within hours on the same day and made arrangements to return their card.

At the meeting, I explained to them my mistake, repaid the small amount, and asked their forgiveness. They could tell that my intentions were not malicious and they forgave and thanked me for my honesty. They even offered to report the incident to my company as a good deed. This made me very happy, so I gladly gave them my name.

A few days later, I was called into my back office at work and was terminated immediately. They said not returning the card to customer service was a violation of ethics, as well as using the customers card. I could not understand or believe it.. it was a matter outside of the store, in my own time, and resolved on my own acts and discretion. It was well and obvious that my intentions were good-natured, they even acknowledged this, but still fired me on the spot.

Since then I have had a regular correspondence with the family whose card I returned. They are greatly appalled at walmart's decision. They have tried contacting the store to reason with them and further explain, but to no avail. They have also offered to assist me financially or in court, should anything come of this.

I believe I was wrongly terminated for this, as it was not within the store and I was not on the clock for the company when any of it transpired. Although I made a mistake in the process, it is clear as crystal that my intentions were pure, and quite honestly, I dont believe walmart should fire anyone for any deed, good or bad, when it is outside of their domain.

[Bricks41]

While you're intentions were clear and delibrate, the fact you used the card puts the employer in quite the bind. They can be sued in ANY circumstance similar to that regardless of what their staff member does because of precident. I think your termination was avoidable if you wouldn't have used the card even with the card holders desires.