For context, this happened months ago. So it’s too late to do anything about it, but I keep wondering what I should have done differently.
I had lost a job due to trying to start a labor union. So for almost a month I was struggling to find work, DoorDashing on the side. Finally, I found a job at an adult store. And I LOVED it. For 9 an hour, I would teach people about products, clean and observe the store, reorganize as needed, etc.
Truth be told, it was my favorite job. They told me one day that they were really glad to have me on the team, and that meant a lot. Until one night. I was stocking and found a box for a bullet. Someone had slipped the bullet out of the box and put it back. I freaked out and immediately called the manager to ask what I should do. She walked me through the process, I thanked her, and the shift went as usual.
A week later, I get called in on my day off. I say I’ll be right there cause I needed the hours. When I showed up, they had a statement about me. It read “Bella has done a great job with customers, but has been caught stealing and is hereby terminated.”
“What?” I asked my boss.
“We have it on cam. We know you stole it.” I starts crying as I literally begged her to tell me it was a joke. I know for a fact I didn’t steal it. She claimed she had a tape of it, but refused to show me. I was given three options.
- Be terminated.
- Sign a letter of resignation.
Or 3. Wait for the cops to arrive.
I was scared and crying. She wouldn’t listen to me as I told her I would never steal from her. And so, reluctantly, I signed the letter. It was one of the worst days of my life.
Everyday I wonder what I could have done differently. They made me pay for the toy that I DIDNT steal. I’ve been banned from all locations and my old work friends shunned me. Should I have waited for the cops? Contacted a lawyer? Was I screwed from the get go?