Activism and Politics => Discrimination => Topic started by: Terra on August 06, 2008, 09:06:34 PM Return to Full Version

Title: Banned from Blockbuster
Post by: Terra on August 06, 2008, 09:06:34 PM
Well a shocker. I was fired from blockbuster by my manager first chance she got. What really did suprise me is that the same day that I find this out I got 3 sheriff suv's and 1 cruiser to show up to tell me that I can no longer be in Blockbuster.

Started simple enough. I had to go to Blockbuster to pick up my check and drop off my movies. When I get there I get my check, drop off my movies, and check the scheadule. I'm only slightly shocked when I find that i'm no longer on it. I had been very ill on Sunday, something I made had disagreed with me. Worse yet was that my phone hadn't a charge and I couldn't find the charger. End result was a no call no show for my shift. I figured that she did fire me so I called her to find out for sure.

She had, and she even said I was forbidden to come to blockbuster ever again. Apparently it was for causing to much trouble. She then hung up on me after threatening to call the cops. So I calmly walked out and picked up a movie and rented it. I then called a friend since I was right by a buffet and wanted to grab some chow with her. I was reading a book sitting on my scooter when the cops and my former manager pull up.

From what I could overhear in the wind, she apparently was telling them I was a violent person who had been throwing things in her store. One of the Sheriffs even asked me if I had a weapon in my bag as I was reaching in to pull out my ID. After being forced to stand in the cold wind for 15 -20 minutes, I finally have Officer Jackass and tell me that if I step foot in the store again then i'm gonna be arrested. I was even told to give back the DVD I had just rented so that I wouldn't be tempted to go in the store to return it. I pointed to the drop box outside the store, but he insisted.

So yeah, i'm a bit ticked. Not sure if I can really do anything about it though. I do plan to complain to the district manager though.
Title: Re: Banned from Blockbuster
Post by: Gabrielle on August 06, 2008, 09:13:35 PM
Quote from: Angel on August 06, 2008, 09:06:34 PM
Well a shocker. I was fired from blockbuster by my manager first chance she got. What really did suprise me is that the same day that I find this out I got 3 sheriff suv's and 1 cruiser to show up to tell me that I can no longer be in Blockbuster.

Started simple enough. I had to go to Blockbuster to pick up my check and drop off my movies. When I get there I get my check, drop off my movies, and check the scheadule. I'm only slightly shocked when I find that i'm no longer on it. I had been very ill on Sunday, something I made had disagreed with me. Worse yet was that my phone hadn't a charge and I couldn't find the charger. End result was a no call no show for my shift. I figured that she did fire me so I called her to find out for sure.

She had, and she even said I was forbidden to come to blockbuster ever again. Apparently it was for causing to much trouble. She then hung up on me after threatening to call the cops. So I calmly walked out and picked up a movie and rented it. I then called a friend since I was right by a buffet and wanted to grab some chow with her. I was reading a book sitting on my scooter when the cops and my former manager pull up.

From what I could overhear in the wind, she apparently was telling them I was a violent person who had been throwing things in her store. One of the Sheriffs even asked me if I had a weapon in my bag as I was reaching in to pull out my ID. After being forced to stand in the cold wind for 15 -20 minutes, I finally have Officer Jackass and tell me that if I step foot in the store again then i'm gonna be arrested. I was even told to give back the DVD I had just rented so that I wouldn't be tempted to go in the store to return it. I pointed to the drop box outside the store, but he insisted.

So yeah, i'm a bit ticked. Not sure if I can really do anything about it though. I do plan to complain to the district manager though.

Well as someone who works with law enforcement officials, they are forced to deal with many difficult situations and with the manager convincinly saying you were violent, they have to be careful for their safety.  As far as the trespass goes, they are just following the managers request, anytime a owner or someone empowered by an owner requests that someone is trespassed, they will do it, unless you have a legal right to be there, as in a domestic dispute.
Title: Re: Banned from Blockbuster
Post by: Rachael on August 06, 2008, 09:16:13 PM
one can convince anyone of anything. Gaby is right. The manager is a cow, but a clever one... Stuff happens honey, roll with it and get up again *hugs*
R >:D
Title: Re: Banned from Blockbuster
Post by: Janet_Girl on August 06, 2008, 09:45:23 PM
Angel,

Was this the same manager that had a problem with you being TS and a wiccan?

By all means contact the district manager and maybe even a lawyer.  This is a bummer the way it went down, but it sounds like she had it in for you from the get go.

Better like on the next job.

Love,
Janet
Title: Re: Banned from Blockbuster
Post by: NicholeW. on August 06, 2008, 10:06:31 PM
If you missed work and didn't call; she had a reason. If WY is a right-to-work state, and it probably is, then you basically can be fired for any reason at all, or none, at any time.

I'd not bother to bother with the lawyer. Ask at the unemployment office instead.

That you're a trans-witch is not going to be much help in the discrimination department as I am sure neither is a protected class in WY.

You can kick up a ruckus, involve local media and lose a whole lot more than a small job with the publicity. Are you sure you want to go that route?

I'd go with Rachael's advice, my dear. Chalk it to experience and what to tell and don't tell and go on with your life.

I'll presume that in the couple of weeks Blockbuster employed you that they weren't paying you $100K/annum, right?

Nichole
Title: Re: Banned from Blockbuster
Post by: Terra on August 06, 2008, 10:16:14 PM
Quote from: Janet Lynn on August 06, 2008, 09:45:23 PM
Angel,

Was this the same manager that had a problem with you being TS and a wiccan?

By all means contact the district manager and maybe even a lawyer.  This is a bummer the way it went down, but it sounds like she had it in for you from the get go.

Better like on the next job.

Love,
Janet

Yes it is the same manager. But I was fired for being a 'no show, no call'. I do plan to talk to the lawyer, maybe something can be done. It just does not sit well with me for being banned from somewhere just because someone does not like me for no good reason.
Title: Re: Banned from Blockbuster
Post by: Janet_Girl on August 06, 2008, 10:33:16 PM
It also will depend on their policies.  Where I work you can be let go for no call no show.  And if you are let go you can not return to the store for ANY reason for 72 hours.  I still think that you should contact the district manager.

And to paraphrase what Nichole said 'Is Blockbusters really worth it ?'
Title: Re: Banned from Blockbuster
Post by: tekla on August 06, 2008, 10:36:45 PM
No show, no call for a shift you were booked to work is grounds to get fired in most places, retail first and foremost.   
Title: Re: Banned from Blockbuster
Post by: deviousxen on August 06, 2008, 11:29:56 PM
Might suck, but at least Blockbuster has a crappy selection anyway, eh Ang?

I couldn't imagine. Their claims of violence would have not agreed with my usually peaceful approach to life...



Title: Re: Banned from Blockbuster
Post by: LynnER on August 06, 2008, 11:53:48 PM
The blockbusters in my area have survaliance cameras all over the place.... If you decide to get things involved ask for the video and any wittinesses to the act.

But really, blockbuster isn't worth it. Cept you don't want the claim of violence going on your record or it will make it hard to get a new job. Even if your not convicted.
Title: Re: Banned from Blockbuster
Post by: Terra on August 07, 2008, 07:01:35 AM
Quote from: LynnER on August 06, 2008, 11:53:48 PM
The blockbusters in my area have survaliance cameras all over the place.... If you decide to get things involved ask for the video and any wittinesses to the act.

But really, blockbuster isn't worth it. Cept you don't want the claim of violence going on your record or it will make it hard to get a new job. Even if your not convicted.

I actually don't plan on putting down the job at all. My second job i've been at longer and have had a much better experience at. In fact they want me to come back next summer.

Quote from: deviousxen on August 06, 2008, 11:29:56 PM
Might suck, but at least Blockbuster has a ->-bleeped-<-ty selection anyway, eh Ang?

I couldn't imagine. Their claims of violence would have not agreed with my usually peaceful approach to life...

Guess your right there. But it just feels so...unfair. I know there isn't much I can do about the firing bit, and i'm not going to fight for a job that paid minimum wage. Its just that now yet again i've had dealings with the police in this area. As I said I don't like being banned from stores for no good reason. Had I actually done or said something to someone then that would be different then what has happened. I feel a bit humiliated and belittled at the fact that i've been told it might be best to not even use the parking lot to go to two other places I like to hang out at with friends.

My main concern is the 'warrant for trespassing' that is now out there. This keeps up it might make it hard for me to become a teacher.
Title: Re: Banned from Blockbuster
Post by: NicholeW. on August 07, 2008, 01:21:31 PM
Rachel, I don't think those warrants are valid forever. I imagine as long as you aren't applying for positions immediately that the warrant will have disappeared by the time you do apply.

I understand the frustration and embarrasment, I really do; but sometimes we are better served by not making a whirlpool larger.

:icon_hug:

Nichole
Title: Re: Banned from Blockbuster
Post by: deviousxen on August 07, 2008, 01:33:29 PM
Yeah. ):
Title: Re: Banned from Blockbuster
Post by: Terra on August 08, 2008, 06:37:37 AM
*Growls* I just can't stand to let her get away with this though! Who knows what this...woman will do to other people! She is manipulative and a liar, and even is the next person she does this to is not trans it could still hurt them!

*sighs* But there isn't anything I can do is there?
Title: Re: Banned from Blockbuster
Post by: deviousxen on August 11, 2008, 11:21:47 AM
I'd freakin' sue them. I hate Blockbuster, and I'm thoroughly sick of people getting screwed over for no good reason without at least an apology.
Title: Re: Banned from Blockbuster
Post by: tekla on August 11, 2008, 11:43:48 AM
Blockbuster is going broke, they are busy screwing themselves, why bother?
Title: Re: Banned from Blockbuster
Post by: deviousxen on August 11, 2008, 12:01:30 PM
Quote from: tekla on August 11, 2008, 11:43:48 AM
Blockbuster is going broke, they are busy screwing themselves, why bother?
Netflix?
Title: Re: Banned from Blockbuster
Post by: tekla on August 11, 2008, 12:03:18 PM
Yeah, that's who they are blaming at any rate, but who knows, bad management - as we see above - might factor into it also.
Title: Re: Banned from Blockbuster
Post by: joannatsf on August 11, 2008, 12:51:04 PM
I'm not getting something.  You have a "warrant for trespassing"?  What does that mean?  You can have a warrant for your arrest on a charge of trespassing, but if the cops didn't take you when they spoke to you aboul Ballbuster, It's not likely you have one of those.  Only arrests with open cases or convictions should show on your record.
Title: Re: Banned from Blockbuster
Post by: NicholeW. on August 11, 2008, 03:31:45 PM
I would imagine what she has is a "warrant of protection" of some sort, for businesses, stating that the defendant made some sort of negative "show" of herself at the location and they don't want her back there. That way they won't have to call for a warrant every time Rachel rides her bike past their soon-to-be-closed location.

Nichole
Title: Re: Banned from Blockbuster
Post by: soldierjane on August 19, 2008, 08:19:04 AM
Bah I'd say get a new BB card or use a friend's and go to a different BB store, not like they are scarce. Probably dealing with that pinhead will be like the proverbial teaching of the pig to sing: it will accomplish nothing and only madden the pig. If there are anti-discrimination laws in your state/area you could build a case, but then again, in regards to trans discrimination she will have the upper hand.

*hugs* that really sucks sweetie, glad it's over