It’s a touchy subject.
A “devoted” 21-year Walmart employee walked into work, allegedly received a hug from a frequent shopper, and was then fired.
Kenneth Schmitz, who goes by Kenny, has been working at the Manitowoc Walmart location in Wisconsin for over 20 years. He recently celebrated his 21st anniversary back in May when a hug got him axed.
Shortly after his firing, a GoFundMe was launched after folks in the community banded together, calling for the massive retailer to “do the right thing” and reinstate Schmitz soon. The GoFundMe organizer, Elizabeth Neely, claims the chain fired him “for something completely beyond his control.”
“Recently, Kenny was unexpectedly fired for something completely beyond his control. Customers loved him so much that they frequently initiated hugs to show their appreciation,” the post read. “Kenny did nothing wrong or inappropriate, yet he was let go simply because of the affection shown to him by the community he served so faithfully.”
The crowdfunding post has already raised almost its entire $9,000 goal in just two short days with $8,050 so far. Some folks have even coughed up $500 for the committed employee.
According to the post, all funds that are donated would cover essentials like groceries, utilities, and daily living expenses while Schmitz is out of work.
“For over TWENTY years, Kenny has been the smiling, joyful face at the doors of the Manitowoc Walmart. Everyone who shops there knows his energy — he made it a point to brighten every single person’s day as they walked in and out of the store,” the post read.
Customers have been flooding social media after the firing to show support for Schmitz — and threatening to boycott Walmart in the process.
“It’s sad he ALWAYS had a smile on his face. Fist-bumped, you saying how you doing. A hug is a greeting to make people feel good. Maybe the Waltons should seek their shares. I’m sure at a meeting they hugged a person a time or two after. Come on, give the guy a break. 21 years with you,” one customer said on Facebook.
Another wrote, “Kenny is a great man. I knew him from our church, and at Walmart he always asked if he could give us a hug, and my little girl always ran up to him and gave him the biggest hug, and my lil girl is four now; he and his family have been in our family.”
“For eight years he have [sic] the heart of gold; he loved everybody, so, yes, I would definitely boycott this one because he should not got [sic] fired for BS that don’t make no sense,” the user added.
The Post reached out to Walmart for comment but has not heard back.
According to the retailer’s code of conduct, employees may not use “offensive physical contact.” Walmart describes the contact as patting, grabbing, pinching or intentionally brushing against another person, as well as physical touching or assault.
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