South Orange Cashier Allegedly Canned After Cold Weather Complaint

South Orange, NJ – An employee of Ashley Marketplace in South Orange is claiming that she was fired after complaining about reportedly frigid working conditions, a report says.

Since a malfunctioning automatic door was propped open at the supermarket on Friday, the store’s cashiers have allegedly been exposed to freezing winds and temperatures at their workstations, TAP Into SOMA reported.

But when one worker spoke up, she was allegedly fired, TAP Into reported.

The former cashier, Sara Hall, detailed her experience on a Facebook group, “Swap SOMa Lounge.”

In her accounts, Hall claims that the store’s head manager decided to prop the door open – despite “25 degree-temperatures with the wind chill” – then “screamed and cursed” and eventually fired her when she complained.

An Ashley Marketplace told TAP Into that there was an issue with the automatic inner exit door, so it was propped open to ensure that elderly customers would be able to leave the store.

The store representative said that portable electric heaters have been set up at the cashiers’ stations to help keep them warm.

But Hall argues that the heaters are tiny and “do nearly nothing.”

“I am so sorry to hear of the way management treats their employees,” one shopper wrote on the store’s Facebook page Saturday. “They are always nice and helpful and I like the selection of the store but I will not be shopping here unless they treat their employees in a humane way.”

“I hope you rethink your policy regarding your staff and the open doors,” another shopper wrote on Friday. “No employee should have to work under those conditions which could potentially affect their health. This young girl who stood up is an exemplary employee and should be given her job back and given a raise. If listened to, she could be a great asset to your company. I hope you reconsider your policy for all your great staff as well as the customers.”

Sign up for Patch email newsletters here.