aGameOfThrones
01-26-2015, 06:08 PM
Three days after Graham Gentles was fired without warning from the Pasadena Target where he worked last July, the 22-year-old committed suicide. Now his mother, Virginia Gentles, is calling for Target to take responsibility for its role in his death. In the wrongful death lawsuit Victoria filed against Target in L.A. she alleges that the company engaged in intentional infliction of emotional distress on her son, who had Asperger’s syndrome, negligence, and false imprisonment as part of a company practice that subjects employees to a “walk of shame” before they are let go.
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"The walk of shame is a Target policy to purposely cause shame, embarrassment and emotional distress to any Target employee who is suspected of stealing from Target,” the suit, filed last Thursday, states, according to NBC Los Angeles. ”The policy consists of employees being arrested and paraded in handcuffs through the Target store in full view of co-workers and customers.” The suit alleges that’s exactly what happened on July 15, 2014 to Graham, who was later released and not charged with any crime. (The true reason for his firing, according to his mom, was an off-site verbal altercation Gentles had with another employee months prior).
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“This is about holding Target accountable,” Virginia Gentles tells Yahoo Parenting of the incident that upset her son so much that he jumped off the roof of a hotel in Monrovia, California to his death. “My point is to get this barbaric [‘walk of shame’] practice to stop.”
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Graham and Virginia Gentles. Photo: Facebook/Graham Gentles Memorial Page
Target, however, denies that these “walks” even take place. “Our thoughts and sympathies go out to the friends and family of this individual,” Molly Snyder, group manager of public relations for Target in Minneapolis, tells Yahoo Parenting via email in response to a request for comment. “The allegations in the lawsuit of a Target policy or practice are simply not true. There is no such policy. As this is pending litigation, we don’t have further comment at this time.”
Former employees have been reaching out to Victoria since she set up a memorial page to Graham on Facebook, says the mother, to share their own “walk of shame” horror stories. “I don’t understand how Target can say this is not happening,” she insists. “I have received many messages from employees and former employees. Some were forced in the walk and others witnessed. They all describe it the same. I am speaking of Targets across the country.” She adds that she received a note from an employee who witnessed a “walk” in which security staff were “laughing and high- fiving.”
https://www.yahoo.com/parenting/mom-blames-target-for-22-year-old-sons-suicide-109218082852.html
STORY: School Shames Dad for Packing Daughter Unhealthy Lunch
"The walk of shame is a Target policy to purposely cause shame, embarrassment and emotional distress to any Target employee who is suspected of stealing from Target,” the suit, filed last Thursday, states, according to NBC Los Angeles. ”The policy consists of employees being arrested and paraded in handcuffs through the Target store in full view of co-workers and customers.” The suit alleges that’s exactly what happened on July 15, 2014 to Graham, who was later released and not charged with any crime. (The true reason for his firing, according to his mom, was an off-site verbal altercation Gentles had with another employee months prior).
STORY: Dad Calls Out Daughter’s Bullies on Viral YouTube Video
“This is about holding Target accountable,” Virginia Gentles tells Yahoo Parenting of the incident that upset her son so much that he jumped off the roof of a hotel in Monrovia, California to his death. “My point is to get this barbaric [‘walk of shame’] practice to stop.”
image
Graham and Virginia Gentles. Photo: Facebook/Graham Gentles Memorial Page
Target, however, denies that these “walks” even take place. “Our thoughts and sympathies go out to the friends and family of this individual,” Molly Snyder, group manager of public relations for Target in Minneapolis, tells Yahoo Parenting via email in response to a request for comment. “The allegations in the lawsuit of a Target policy or practice are simply not true. There is no such policy. As this is pending litigation, we don’t have further comment at this time.”
Former employees have been reaching out to Victoria since she set up a memorial page to Graham on Facebook, says the mother, to share their own “walk of shame” horror stories. “I don’t understand how Target can say this is not happening,” she insists. “I have received many messages from employees and former employees. Some were forced in the walk and others witnessed. They all describe it the same. I am speaking of Targets across the country.” She adds that she received a note from an employee who witnessed a “walk” in which security staff were “laughing and high- fiving.”
https://www.yahoo.com/parenting/mom-blames-target-for-22-year-old-sons-suicide-109218082852.html