In a startling turn of events, John Zalesky, a former Walmart employee from Aurora, Colorado, alleges that he was dismissed from his job after being stabbed while attempting to stop a shoplifter. The incident, which took place on August 11 at a Walmart in Centennial, has sparked outrage and raised questions about company policies and employee safety.
On the day of the incident, Zalesky was performing his regular duties when he noticed a woman allegedly stealing several items from the store. Frustrated by the recurring issue of shoplifting, Zalesky decided to confront the woman, asking to see a receipt for the items she had taken. However, rather than complying, the woman bolted out of the store and headed towards her car.
“She wasn’t even denying it, she just took off,” Zalesky recounted. Determined to prevent the theft, Zalesky followed her outside, where he discovered that the woman wasn’t alone. As he tried to retrieve the stolen goods, a male suspect in the car attacked Zalesky with a knife, leaving him with a small gash on his left forearm. Despite the injury, Zalesky refused medical treatment, dismissing the wound as minor.
A week after the incident, Zalesky was informed by the store’s assistant manager that he was being let go from his position. The reason? Walmart’s corporate policy strictly prohibits employees from following shoplifters out of the store. The decision left Zalesky shocked and disheartened, particularly given his long history of deterring theft at the store.
“They said, ‘We just don’t have a choice, it comes from corporate,’” Zalesky explained. “I was disgusted. Nobody had ever attempted to stop me from what I was doing before — hell, they were glad.” He expressed frustration that his efforts to protect the store’s inventory were met with termination rather than appreciation.
Walmart’s policy prohibiting employees from pursuing shoplifters beyond the store’s doors is designed to prioritize employee safety. However, Zalesky’s case highlights the tension between enforcing such policies and the instinct to protect the store’s assets. Zalesky argued that his actions had consistently saved the company money by preventing theft, making his dismissal all the more difficult to accept.
“I was disappointed that with all the [things] I’ve done, this is how Walmart thanks you,” he lamented. “You save them thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars of merchandise being stolen. And you have one thing, with a little bitty stab wound, and you fire the guy for it?”
In the wake of his dismissal, Zalesky has turned to the community for support. He launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover his rent and bills while he searches for new employment. As of the time of writing, the campaign has raised $1,755 of its $10,000 goal. In the campaign description, Zalesky expressed his gratitude for any assistance, acknowledging the difficulty of finding work at the age of 68.
“I don’t know how I am going to pay my rent and bills cause not many places want to hire a 68-year-old man. I am seeking your help until I can find some more income again and want to thank everyone,” he wrote.
Zalesky’s case underscores a broader issue within the retail industry: the balance between protecting assets and ensuring employee safety. While companies like Walmart implement policies to prevent employees from taking potentially dangerous actions, situations like Zalesky’s raise questions about how these policies are enforced and whether there should be more nuanced approaches.
Meanwhile, authorities are still searching for the suspects involved in the shoplifting and stabbing incident. The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office described the suspects as “white and in their 30s,” with the female suspect having purple hair. The couple fled the scene in an early 2000s silver Toyota sedan with no license plates. Despite efforts to locate the vehicle, it remains at large.
As the story continues to gain traction, Walmart has yet to comment publicly on the incident or Zalesky’s dismissal. The lack of response has fueled further debate and speculation, with many questioning how the retail giant plans to address the concerns raised by Zalesky’s experience.
The incident involving John Zalesky is a complex case that touches on critical issues of workplace safety, corporate policy, and employee rights. While Walmart’s policy aims to protect employees, Zalesky’s dismissal highlights the challenges of enforcing such rules in real-world situations. As the retail industry grapples with these issues, Zalesky’s story serves as a reminder of the need for policies that not only safeguard employees but also acknowledge the difficult decisions they may face on the job.
