Walmart Responds to Incident of Man Fired for Helping Woman in Store Parking Lot

In response to a former employee being fired after he came to thedefense of a woman in trouble in the store's parking lot, Walmart stated that "while the company understood Oswald's intentions, his actions violated company policy." 

The statement came from a spokeswoman for the Arkansas based Walmart on Thursday, according to a report from the Detroit Free Press.

On Oct. 13, Kristopher Oswald, 30, was working the third shift at the Hartland Walmart and was taking his lunch break in the store's parking lot when he saw a man and a women in a physical argument.

After watching the confrontation unfold, Oswald told Patch he had approached the car, asked the woman if she needed help and was then first assaulted by the man with her and then two more men who arrived after.

Livingston County Sheriff’s were called to the scene and broke up the fight, according to a previous Patch report.

On Oct. 15, after being called in for a work meeting, Oswald said he was given the news that he was terminated for violating company policy and escorted from the building. 

It was a shock and a disappointment, according to Oswald who was told the night before by his shift supervisor that while he was going to have to suspend Oswald, he thought his actions were “brave and selfless.”

“He (supervisor) told me flat out that he wanted to give me the opportunity to say my side and then they’ll made a decision,” he said. 

Oswald said he was never given that chance, however, and after being called into the meeting with his supervisor and manager, Oswald said he was given his termination papers. 

In Brighton, Patch readers wrote in their reactions on the Brighton Patch Facebook page including:

• Patricia Ann who wrote: "I think we've forgotten how to care about each other. It sounds like Kristopher Oswald put the woman's safety and well-being above his own by trying to help. His mind-set wasn't "me, me, me"
  
• Michael Tabacchi who wrote: "I think there has to be more to the story. What was the Walmart policy he was fired for? Is this a isolated incontinent or was this the straw that sent him to termination? If this is the full story then Walmart should be picketed. But with Walmart and the other people not making any comments then I am going to assume there is more to the story. Keep investigating PATCH."
  
• Craig C. Feltner who wrote: "I am sure there is more to this story....but I still don't like the way Walmart treats its employees !..I have a family member that worked @ one in California and she put in for vacation months ahead of time to come to Michigan ..Well a few days before it was time for her to get on that plane..Walmart told her they were too busy and she couldn't go or they would be forced to let her go....I am sure she told them to take there poverty job and shove it up there ass....but no way to treat people."