Throwaway because this is honestly embarrassing to talk about. I work for a local grocery store (not a big chain just a more regional one) and the pay is absolutely horrible. The only reason I stick around is because I’m one of the more senior employees so I can usually tailor my hours around when my daughter is home so I don’t have to pay for childcare. I’ve interviewed previously for a few other places close by but any increase in salary there would more than be eaten up by the cost of childcare so I stick to my current place. Recently with the cost of everything rising our budget has been severely affected to the point of having food on the table is a concern. I’ve watched for years as we throw away slightly bruised fruits and vegetables, cans and boxes of pasta with a few dents in them and breads/bakery items that have expired but are still good for another day or two.
I finally had enough and one evening after my shift I went to the dumpster and got out as much as I could. I got several boxes of pastas and bakery items that were still good to use! I thought I had just discovered a way I would be able to help my family get by until the next day at work when right at the beginning of my shift I was taken to the management office. I was sat down and shown a video of me dumpster diving from a security camera at the back of the building. I was told that effective immediately I was let go because “it was a horrible look to have employees pull food out of a dumpster.” I tried my best to make my case but to no avail. I seriously just feel so defeated, I was punished for trying to provide my family with a basic necessity and now I’m really scared for the future without a new job lined up.