Two courageous women, Rachel Rogers and Jennifer Ferguson, have come forward with claims that they were unjustly terminated by Lululemon after their heroic efforts to thwart robbers at an Atlanta-area store and report the incident to the authorities.
Local NBC station 11Alive reported that Rogers and Ferguson were informed by the “athleisure” company that they had violated the “zero-tolerance policy.” This shocking revelation left the former employees in disbelief.
“We were advised not to interfere because we would only be in the way,” Ferguson shared. “We were instructed to simply clear a path for the perpetrators and then scan a QR code. It was made clear to us that we should not document the incident or report it to the authorities.”
Rogers captured the robbery on film, showing a group of individuals wearing coats, hoods, and masks fleeing the Peachtree Corners, Georgia store with stolen merchandise, while the staff tried to intervene.
According to an insider, Lululemon’s official stance is that Rogers and Ferguson were dismissed for confronting and recording the thieves, not for reporting the crime to the police.
In response to the allegations, a Lululemon spokesperson told Fox Business, “The safety and security of our employees and customers are always our top priority. We have policies and protocols in place to maintain a safe environment. We take theft and vandalism very seriously, and we are committed to collaborating with local partners and law enforcement.”
Fortunately, the perpetrators were apprehended by the police during another attempted robbery the following day, as reported by the local ABC affiliate WSB-TV.
Sharing their struggles with 11Alive, Rogers expressed the financial impact of her sudden job loss, stating, “That was my sole source of income. I had to file for unemployment and exhaust my savings to cover car payments, insurance, and basic necessities for myself and my dog.”
Ferguson added, “This has put us in a difficult situation. We have four children, and my husband runs his own business. We are now exploring our insurance options.”
The ordeal faced by Rogers and Ferguson highlights their bravery in the face of danger and the challenges they have encountered as a result of their termination. The support and justice they deserve should be sought in the pursuit of fair treatment for all employees who go above and beyond to protect others.