I’m working front-of-house in a pet store with my manager and a new hire. A couple of first-time pet parents have just arrived with an adorable little golden retriever pup. Since it’s a slow day and there are no other customers demanding my attention, I spend quite some time helping them pick out products, giving them plenty of advice, and admittedly fawning over their little boy.
Once they have everything they need (and a few things they don’t), I’m about to lead them to the front counter to check out when [New Hire] calls out to us with a tone like he just smelled manure.
New Hire: “If you’re done acting like that f****** dog deserves love and affection, you’re supposed to be working.”
I freeze in my tracks, appalled at his attitude. I’ll admit to standing there with my mouth open for a bit before [Manager] steps forward.
Manager: “Right, get out of here.”
New Hire: “What?!”
Manager: “Get out. You’re fired. I don’t need d****ebags working here who think it’s wrong to care about your pets.”
New Hire: “F*** off! It’s a f****** dog! I’m f****** sick of people fawning over mutts like they’re someone’s baby!”
Manager: “Then you’re a horrible human being with no respect for anyone but your own kind. Get out.”
New Hire: “F*** you, you fat—”
Manager: “GET OUT OF MY STORE!”
[New Hire] flees out the front door. [Manager] proceeds to add a gift card to the couple’s purchase as an apology for his behaviour.
A couple of days later, I’m approached by a woman who I discover is my manager’s boss.
Manager’s Boss: “I’m told you were present when [New Hire] was fired.”
Me: “Yes…?”
Manager’s Boss: “Did [Manager] really fire [New Hire] because he insulted someone for caring about their dogs?”
Me: “Yes, he did.”
Manager’s Boss: “And did [New Hire] really insult someone for caring about their dogs?”
Me: “That’s putting it mildly, but yes.”
Manager’s Boss: “Then good riddance to him. I don’t know why someone who looks down on caring about your pets even applied to be hired at a store based on caring for your pets, let alone how he got hired.”
I do believe I may have found my forever workplace.
