Morrisons has sacked a store manager who intervened when a repeat shoplifter became abusive and spat at him, sparking public backlash and calls for a boycott.
Sean Egan, 46, from Wolverhampton, was dismissed from his role at the Aldridge store after 29 years of service. According to major media reports, Egan was sacked for not following the company's deter-and-not-detain policy, which instructs staff to avoid physical confrontation with shoplifters. Egan told GB News that he does not regret his actions because he was standing up for doing right.
Absolutely disgusting.
Morrisons insists its policies on handling shoplifting incidents must be strictly followed. A career criminal was convicted over the incident involving Egan as well as other offences, but the BBC has not been able to confirm this with the courts.
The sacking has prompted some shoppers to call for a boycott of Morrisons. According to BBC News - England, shopper Daphne Bishop described the sacking as "absolutely disgusting" and said that what Morrisons had done to an employee after 29 years was disgraceful, adding that everyone should boycott the store. Another shopper, Paul Goodwin, told BBC News - England that he wanted the company to rehire Egan because all the customers loved him, noting that Egan had helped him during epileptic seizures. Christian Davis, a civil engineer, told BBC News - England that it seemed very unfair for somebody doing the right thing to lose his job.
What Morrisons have done to an employee after 29 years is disgraceful and I think everyone should boycott it.
The incident comes amid broader concerns about retail crime. In April, Waitrose worker Walker Smith was offered a job at Iceland after claiming he was sacked for stopping an Easter Egg thief. Marks & Spencer has called on ministers to do more to tackle retail crime. Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones urged police to use all the tools at their disposal to protect workers and punish those responsible.
The shoplifter's the one who's caused it all. He's the one who went in there to steal.
I want them to get him back because all the customers loved him. He's helped me when I've had epileptic seizures in there. He's a nice chap.
It just seems very unfair that somebody doing the right thing should lose his job. He's tackled s