A shop you usually like Sheetz caught the heat to get rid of an employee who apparently violated the “smile policy” after he said he lost a tooth in a bad domestic attack by his ex-husband!
Rose Marie Counts take for Facebook earlier this month to recount a bad experience he had as a (former) employee at a Sheetz store in Circleville, Ohio. She claims she lost her teeth after her abusive ex-husband walked out on her during a domestic incident. But when he shows up to work as a customer service clerk at a small town store, he’s called in by his boss!
Related: Joe Rogan’s Dad And Sister ‘Have Proof’ They Lied About Domestic Abuse Allegations!
In a Facebook post, Counts explained what happened when he entered the store:
“I was asked to go to the office in the office. I’m nervous I’m only with the company for about a month. When I walked into the manager’s office, the company’s policy was withdrawn until they talked about the employee’s appearance. I was informed that the policy states that all Sheetz employees must have and maintain a very welcoming smile. If you are an employee of this company and you break a tooth, you have 90 days to fix it.
OMG!
He then explained how his teeth had been a problem for some time – even before he was hired by the store. However, Sheetz apparently argued that her insurance company would not pay for temporary dentures until the swelling in her mouth had subsided enough to fill them with permanent teeth:
“When I was hired I had no upper teeth. My lower teeth were scheduled to be removed. My insurance will pay for permanent dentures but not temporary dentures. Because of the swelling that occurs when teeth are pulled, my insurance will not pay if I have temporary dentures that considered a waste of money.
Then, Counts explained how Sheetz’s “smile policy” categorically determined her to look “not pretty.” Thus, they are suddenly unfit to work in a customer-facing role in a store.
He wrote:
“And even though I’m good at my job, I can’t be a front-line employee in the company because of my smile. The company defines my smile as not beautiful because I still have work to do. So I went to work today and I went to work today crying. Why did I leave crying? Because I left a job that I loved, I was happy to be there. But to be told based on my appearance that my job is in danger. And maybe I have to fill out documents and maybe the company will help me if I tell my story. They can let me go borrow money to have temporary dentures to pay back the thousands of dollars needed to buy them.
Ugh!!!
according to an insiderSheetz’s so-called “smile policy” is as follows:
“Applicants with missing, broken, or severely damaged teeth (not related to disability) are not eligible to work at Sheetz. Sheetz believes that employee smiles when interacting with customers and co-workers are important to creating a sense of hospitality in the store we strive for.
Clearly, Counts had a problem with the policy — especially since his teeth were broken from a possible incident of domestic abuse. not control or avoid.
Related: Matt Altman REALLY Tried to Clear Domestic Violence Case With Wife!
Along with her Facebook post, Counts also came with a receipt. He shared an audio clip of a meeting with his boss, in which the boss explained the “smile policy.” Counts, who are now in a new relationship according to the New York Postcan be heard in the audio clip telling his manager:
“This company doesn’t know what I’ve done. I’m missing my front teeth because my ex-husband headbutted me because I forgot to turn off the hall light. It’s legit, a bad experience that happened in my life that I’m still trying to…”
At that time, he trailed off, and could be heard getting noticeably emotional. The manager replied “it’s fine,” and said he was “sorry” about Counts’ situation.
Later, the boss said he had heard “good things” from customers about Rose Marie. However, the smile policy is a hard and fast rule in the company. Frustrated that his toothless smile didn’t match Sheetz’s expectations, Counts replied:
“I feel that my work performance should be sufficient. I don’t feel that I have to justify myself because of my appearance.
Counts later told his boss he “should find another job” because he didn’t want to be associated with the store brand. The manager replied:
“That’s understandable. I’m sorry for how you feel about us.”
Oh my…
On Tuesday, the New York Post reached the Sheetz corporate office about the incident. The company’s PR manager Nick Ruffner respond with the statement:
“[Sheetz’s] the goal is to help them and determine the assistance program that can be applied to their situation. Take care of Rose. … Rose is an important asset to the Sheetz family and we look forward to continuing our conversation with her.
What is that??
Ruffner also confirmed that Sheetz is reviewing its “smile policy” after receiving complaints from staff at other locations. The brand has 650 stores in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina.
PR flack ended with an explanation for the company’s sudden choice to review its policy:
“[This incident] has requested a more specific review to ensure our policies align with Sheetz’s commitment to fostering a culture of respect. While we have personal appearance policies that include dental health, we provide accommodations for policies that are provided for medical, cultural, and religious reasons. At Sheetz, it’s important to respect and acknowledge our employees’ diverse experiences, individual identities, and unique perspectives.
OK… I hope something good comes of this. No one should lose their job due to harassment!!
You can see Rose Marie’s original post on Facebook here.
Reaction, Perezcious readers??
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Try calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, or text START to 88788, or to https://www.thehotline.org/.
[Image via Rose Marie Counts/Facebook/Sheetz/YouTube]