Tim Hortons - Corporate Greed

This blog is usually about real estate but today I have to comment on the most egregious example of corporate greed that I have ever heard about.

The Canadian Press

LONDON, Ont.”“Giving a free Timbit to a baby has cost a single mother of four her job. Nicole Lilliman, 27, was fired yesterday from her Tim Hortons job for giving one of the 16-cent blobs of fried dough to a tot. "I have been fired for giving a baby a Timbit," Lilliman said yesterday.

"It was just out of my heart ““ she was pointing and going `ah, ah…’ I should have gone to my purse and got the change, but it was busy." Lilliman, who has worked at the store for three years, said she thought little of the incident since Timbits are often doled out to dogs and children. She said the baby was about 11 months old, and she gave her the treat to quiet her, since her mom ““ a Tims’ regular ““ had been “having a bad day." "I could see (the dismissal) if it was a sandwich or something," she said. "But it was a Timbit."

Three managers greeted her yesterday, saying she had been caught on video giving free food to a child. "They said, `Remember, Monday you gave out a free Timbit,’ " she said. "I had to think, then I was like, `Oh yeah,’ and I smiled because I thought I’d get a warning." Instead, she was fired for theft.

Giving food away is against the rules, said Tim Hortons district manager Nicole Mitchell.

The Timbits given to pets, Mitchell added, are usually "day-old and recycled."

I didn’t know that you only gave stale Timbits to babies “” I guess if they can’t talk, they can’t complain.

Postscript:

Tim Hortons responds to firing of staff member 

TORONTO, May 8 /CNW/ - In regards to the recent situation with the termination of a staff member in London, Ontario.

Unfortunately the action of the manager of this location was not appropriate nor grounds for dismissal. With an apology from management Ms. Lilliman has been rehired by the franchisee.

We sincerely apologize to our customers for this unfortunate incident.

For further information: Rachel M. Douglas, Director, Public Affairs, Tim Hortons, (905) 339-6277, douglas_rachel@timhortons.com