Smith picked up the garbage for more than two months until Nov. 6, when he was fired for redeeming $5.10 worth of empty cans and bottles he found discarded on two occasions.
Walmart employee fired from his job for redeeming $5.10 worth of empty cans and bottles he found discarded in the parking lot.
He was called into the security office and interrogated by a manager and two security staff members.
"I didn't know you couldn't take empties left behind. They were garbage," Smith said. "I didn't even get a chance to explain myself. They told me to turn in my badge."
Surveillance cameras caught Smith redeeming the empty bottles and cans at the store, tantamount to theft of Walmart property, according to the manager.
Smith said he was never informed about that rule.
Smith was fired three hours after the normal end of his shift. He had agreed to work extra time that Friday when the store was short of employees.
The manager asked Smith to repay the $5.10, but he didn't have any cash on him. He took a one-hour bus ride from Albany and paid the money back to the manager on Sunday.
The manager, Heather, who would not give her last name, refused to speak to a Times Union reporter at the store Wednesday.
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Support pours in for fired E. Greenbush Walmart employee who redeemed $5.10 of cans - Times Union
Walmart employee fired from his job for redeeming $5.10 worth of empty cans and bottles he found discarded in the parking lot.
He was called into the security office and interrogated by a manager and two security staff members.
"I didn't know you couldn't take empties left behind. They were garbage," Smith said. "I didn't even get a chance to explain myself. They told me to turn in my badge."
Surveillance cameras caught Smith redeeming the empty bottles and cans at the store, tantamount to theft of Walmart property, according to the manager.
Smith said he was never informed about that rule.
Smith was fired three hours after the normal end of his shift. He had agreed to work extra time that Friday when the store was short of employees.
The manager asked Smith to repay the $5.10, but he didn't have any cash on him. He took a one-hour bus ride from Albany and paid the money back to the manager on Sunday.
The manager, Heather, who would not give her last name, refused to speak to a Times Union reporter at the store Wednesday.
more
Support pours in for fired E. Greenbush Walmart employee who redeemed $5.10 of cans - Times Union
