A Morrisons employee with 29 years of service was recently fired after confronting a violent shoplifter, sparking criticism towards the supermarket. Sean Egan, a 46-year-old employee, was dismissed following an altercation with career criminal Daniel Kendall, who spat on him and displayed aggression at the Aldridge, West Midlands store.
Despite Mr. Egan’s efforts, Kendall managed to escape with two bottles of Jack Daniel’s in December. Egan, a resident of Wolverhampton, West Midlands, recognized Kendall as a repeat shoplifter who had targeted the store before.
Expressing his disappointment, Mr. Egan stated that despite his long dedication to Morrisons, the company disregarded his years of service and unjustly terminated him for standing up for what is right. Social media users have shown support for Mr. Egan and called for his reinstatement by Morrisons, where he began working at the age of 17.
Following the incident, Mr. Egan has been diagnosed with depression. In an interview with the Daily Mail, he emphasized that his actions were aimed at protecting himself, customers, and the company, yet he feels unfairly treated compared to the shoplifter, Kendall.
Kendall, a drug addict from Walsall, West Midlands, received a 42-week prison sentence for the Morrisons theft. His criminal record includes stealing goods from a Co-op store in Birmingham and cash from an ATM in Walsall.
Mr. Egan, who started his career at Morrisons while still in school, followed the store’s protocol of a “deter-and-not-detain” approach when dealing with Kendall. Despite his efforts to handle the situation calmly, Kendall turned aggressive and assaulted him.
Mr. Egan expressed his financial concerns after losing his job, highlighting his responsibilities towards his family and feeling humiliated by the situation. Morrisons, in response to inquiries, emphasized their commitment to prioritizing employee health and safety and taking measures to address shoplifting and violence in their stores while ensuring strict adherence to safety protocols.
