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Kristopher Oswald thought he was doing a good thing by helping a woman who was being attacked in a Wal-Mart parking lot. Then he got fired from his job of seven weeks, according to The Huffington Post. He happened to be in his car on a 2:30 A.M. lunch break when he saw a man grab a woman. When he asked the woman if she needed help the male attacker started to physically abuse Oswald. The man even threatened to kill him. Two more attackers joined in on the punching. Thankfully, the Livingston County’s sheriff’s deputies stopped the growing act of violence. The attempted attack took place in the Hartland Township store in Detroit, Michigan.
Most people would believe that Oswald did the right thing and he still believes so himself. After reviewing all the facts and hearing from witnesses, the Wal-Mart store decided to give Oswald his job back. However, the good Samaritan is hesitant to take back his old job and even said so on radio talk show WXYZ-TV. Brooke Buchanan, Wal-Mart store spokeswoman, was quoted as saying, “ . . . we realize Mr. Oswald’s intentions were good. We want to welcome him back to the store.†She told reporters that Wal-Mart has called him with the offer for his job back, but he hasn’t returned their call.
Oswald was only seen as a temporary employee, but one can’t condemn a man for doing what is right or what he thinks is right. Apparently, some Wal-Mart shoppers, or now former Wal-Mart shoppers, believe the same thing. Wal-Mart may want to lure Oswald back, but shoppers are unflinchingly voicing their opinions. One shopper said, “Perhaps it does not matter to Wal-Mart but they will never see me in one of their stores again.†Another outraged shopper was quoted saying, “. . . Wal-Mart should instead have promoted this guy to store manager. You don’t find many individuals who will risk their own well-being for others these days. Mr. Oswald should be commended and rewarded for his heroic actions.†And finally a third consumer stated, “I would hope that people would come to my aid in an emergency. I would make it a point to patronize a store whose employees would help me. Shame on Wal-Mart! Another reason not to shop there!” Perhaps Oswald’s temporary placement with the troubled company was a blessing in disguise for him to move on to another more moral career environment. It seems that Wal-Mart’s own work policy has back-fired against them.
