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[Dalek]

Mom Sues Target Claiming Humiliating “Walk Of Shame” Upon Firing Led To Son’s Suicide

Target is facing a lawsuit filed by a mother who says her son committed suicide after he was forced to take part in a humiliating disciplinary event in front of co-workers and customers.

The suit claims 22-year-old Graham A. Gentles, a former cashier at the retail chain's Pasadena store, was humiliated when he was subjected to what the family's attorney called a "walk of shame," a ritual during which the employee is paraded around the store in handcuffs.

"I don't want any other mother to have to go through what I've gone through," said Graham's mother Virginia Gentles, who filed the lawsuit. "This is my only child."

Virginia Gentles filed the suit Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging false imprisonment, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Her son jumped to his death from the roof of the Courtyard Marriott in Monrovia on July 18, three days after he was fired and required by the Target store and allegedly forced to the "walk of shame."

"The only thing he said to me at that moment was, 'Mom this is the worst day of my life,'" Virginia Gentles said.

Target released a statement Friday expressing sympathy for the family.

"Our thoughts and sympathies go out to the friends and family of this individual,'' Target spokesman Evan Lapiska said. "As this is pending litigation, we don't have further comment at this time.''

According to the complaint, police and store security met Graham Gentles immediately as he arrived for work. At the direction of two members of the store management, he was handcuffed and led before other store employees to an office, the suit states.

"Mr. Gentles was shocked, confused and mortified at being handcuffed and walked through the Target store in front of co-workers and customers,'' the suit states. "Mr. Gentles had no idea why he was being arrested.''

He was questioned in the office, then later taken to the police station, the suit states.

"While he was cuffed he was paraded through the store into a room and was interrogated there," attorney Patrick McNicholas said. "He was then paraded back out to the store, put into a patrol car and taken to Pasadena police station."

However, he was later released and never charged with any crime, according to the complaint.

The suit alleges the actions by the two Target managers were part of a company practice that other employees had also experienced.

"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 states. "The policy consists of employees being arrested and paraded in handcuffs through the Target store in full view of co-workers and customers.''

Target told NBC4 on Friday it did not have a "walk of shame" policy but could not comment any further.

However, the suit alleges that Graham Gentles' involvement in a "verbal altercation'' with another Target worker at a bar outside of work hours several months before the handcuffing incident may have prompted management to subject him to the "walk of shame,'' the suit states.

Her attorney claims the experience was intensified by the fact Graham had Aspergers, a high functioning form of autism.

"The nature of Aspergers he tended to hyper focus and so he was very hyper focused on this," McNicholas said. "He was hyper focused on his loss and it was a perfect storm which resulted in his death."

Graham Gentles was a loyal employee who always arrived early to his job, the suit states.

The suit alleges that Graham Gentles' suicide was directly related to his treatment by Target management.

 

[BennyBlanco]

That policy seems insane. As a customer it would not leave a good impression on me watching an employee get walked around the store in handcuffs.

 

[Fawoosh]

Wait, so he didn't actually steal anything? They did all of that based on a suspicion? Even if he had stolen something that's crazy. I haven't worked at Target but at other department stores they don't do anything close to that to suspected, non employee shoplifters. The usual policy is let them go and let the police handle it, don't interfere.

 

[Darklord]

"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 states. "The policy consists of employees being arrested and paraded in handcuffs through the Target store in full view of co-workers and customers.''

WTF? Big retail companies like this throw in every policy they can to cover their arses from lawsuits, how in the holy mother of fuck did this even become a thing? Why would the store manager not question him first? Why would police handcuff a guy who poses no threat and hasn't been found doing anything wrong?

 

[SolarPowered]

Absolutely disgusting

I couldn't look someone in the eye and order that "walk of shame" even if they stole something. Target should get ready for some serious litigious pain for such a terrible policy.

 

[ElectricBlanketFire]

This happened to me (minus the handcuffing/arrest).

I worked at Target in high school. I was an above average worker in that I actually did my job.

One day I got called into the security office with my supervisor where they told me they had footage of me stealing and demanded that I confess.

I was baffled. I've never stolen anything in my life. I asked if I could see the tape and they refused, drilling me to admit what I stole.

As a scared 16 year old kid, I tried thinking of anything I could have even accidentally taken home with me. The only thing I could think of was pens from the sales counter and MAYBE a loose Pokemon card or two. This was at the height of Pokemon's popularity and we frequently had people who would open decks and take the cards they needed. I thought maybe I had accidentally stuck some in my pocket and forgot about them.

And that was that. They fired me for something I didn't do.

Really gets me angry thinking back on it.

 

[slit]

Excuse me? They do what now?

How can you humiliate someone over an allegation? Any coworker could use that for revenge purposes. You've got to be kidding me. How stupid is Target?

 

[studyguy]

Policy or not, that is batshit insane.
I don't see anything concrete either too. I remember working at Circuit City right as it was going out of business during early college years. They let of all but one lost prevention in our area go so some dudes had at it in electronics, throwing laptops, car electronics and other things into the sides of cheap large screen television boxes and having their friends buy them. Even when they were finally caught it was super hush hush and it was thousands in confirmed losses.

 

[Protein]

Corporate America and Big Retail in a nutshell.

 

[Karsticles]

May that woman get a lot of money.

 

[Servbot24]

WTF? Big retail companies like this throw in every policy they can to cover their arses from lawsuits, how in the holy mother of fuck did this even become a thing? Why would the store manager not question him first? Why would police handcuff a guy who poses no threat and hasn't been found doing anything wrong?

Yeah this seems way too bizarre to be true.

 

[DrGonzo615]

Ive worked at Target and can personally vouch that this is indeed a common practice there. I worked at my local store for about a year and a half or so and probably witnessed at least 4-5 people who were handcuffed right in their department.

 

[ag-my001]

WTF? Big retail companies like this throw in every policy they can to cover their arses from lawsuits, how in the holy mother of fuck did this even become a thing?

I'm confused by that as well. Assets Protection (Target security) always made sure they had absolute proof before moving on anything, at least when I worked there. Also, if the details are correct, then the walk from front door to offices would only go by the registers and guest service. The handcuffs may not have been necessary, but that also may have been due to the officers, not the store managers.

 

[orochi91]

I'm a bit stunned right now.

I pray to god that the mother wins this lawsuit.

 

[Volimar]

As someone with aspergers who has struggled with severe depression, yep that'd do it. Dispicable policy and a disgusting way to treat an employee.

 

[Fushin]

This was an unwritten rule in Dicks Sporting Goods LP.

 

[youbastards]

I highly doubt this is an authorized corporate policy, rather more likely one created by some dickhead manager/regional manager that thinks he's a big shot but is really too afraid to confront employees unless they are handcuffed.

 

[studyguy]

Man how do people, employees and customers alike not complain about this shit before. That's incredibly gross. The fact that people have seen this before in the thread is nutso.

 

[Succinct Verbosity]

Why stop there? Why not get the fired employee tied to the post and whipped as a warning to others?

 

[Omegasquash]

I highly doubt this is an authorized corporate policy, rather more likely one created by some dickhead manager/regional manager that thinks he's a big shot but is really too afraid to confront employees unless they are handcuffed.

Yeah, this seems so over the top that it can't be real life.

 

[retrogamer84]

As someone with Aspergers, this story horrifies me. It's hard enough to be out in public without being humiliated like that. I am not normally a fan of lawsuits, but I hope she takes them to task over this.

 

[Asmodai48]

Wtf this is a company policy?

 

[bsod]

WTF? Big retail companies like this throw in every policy they can to cover their arses from lawsuits, how in the holy mother of fuck did this even become a thing? Why would the store manager not question him first? Why would police handcuff a guy who poses no threat and hasn't been found doing anything wrong?

Retail is highly susceptible to the Peter Principle, so a lot of times management is beyond inept.

 

[Epsilon-delta]

Pretty horrible story. Doesn't matter if the son stole something or not, a company shouldn't do that to an employee. Then on top of it, he also had Asperger's.

I hope the mother gets every penny that she can from this lawsuit.

 

[TheOMan]

I hope she wins and whoever is responsible for this policy gets demolished in court.

 

[Raistlin]

This seems to be more of an issue with the police.

Why was he handcuffed without being told of his crime?

 

[Gordon Shumway]

May that woman get a lot of money.

We are in agreement. Sheesh..

 

[Surface of Me]

Worked at Target for a year and while I never saw this in action, I dont doubt it's real for a second. Target treats their employees like children.

 

[Jeff-DSA]

Eh, I don't know that we're getting the full straight story here. There's a few things I think we can agree on though. First, you shouldn't treat your employees like that. That's wrong. If they stole, and you're going to have them arrested, send the police to their home. Secondly, a policy of shaming, if it exists, is just flat out wrong.

Now, I have a hard time believing that if the police were waiting for him at the store to handcuff him that they "paraded" him around the store. I'm sure they handcuffed him at the doors and walked him back to the office, but I doubt it was some giant shaming ritual. I'm sure that the walk back feels long and embarrassing, but I highly doubt it's anything but a direct walk back to the office that happens to pass co-workers and customers along the way.

But man, why do you need to throw handcuffs on someone who is clearly not dangerous? I get having the police there, but just escort him back to the office, without handcuffs, and decide if an arrest needs to be made back there. If there's sufficient reason to arrest him, then put the handcuffs on. Putting them on before even talking it out is pretty gross.

 

[TheOnlyOneHeEverFeared]

Thats insane. Who would ever think this was a good idea?

 

[The Technomancer]

This is...weird

 

[Drencrom]

"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 states. "The policy consists of employees being arrested and paraded in handcuffs through the Target store in full view of co-workers and customers.''

I just can't believe this is a thing...

Corporate america pls

 

[HalfBakedProphet]

Retail is highly susceptible to the Peter Principle, so a lot of times management is beyond inept.

this just blew my mind.

And as a former target employee, it's right on the nose.

 

[Infinite]

Horrible story. My sympathies go out to the family.

 

[efyu_lemonardo]

Ive worked at Target and can personally vouch that this is indeed a common practice there. I worked at my local store for about a year and a half or so and probably witnessed at least 4-5 people who were handcuffed right in their department.

How is this legal???

 

[Pandaman]

This reads like one of those ridiculous 'scared straight' ploys.

 

[Africanus]

This happened to me (minus the handcuffing/arrest).

I worked at Target in high school. I was an above average worker in that I actually did my job.

One day I got called into the security office with my supervisor where they told me they had footage of me stealing and demanded that I confess.

I was baffled. I've never stolen anything in my life. I asked if I could see the tape and they refused, drilling me to admit what I stole.

As a scared 16 year old kid, I tried thinking of anything I could have even accidentally taken home with me. The only thing I could think of was pens from the sales counter and MAYBE a loose Pokemon card or two. This was at the height of Pokemon's popularity and we frequently had people who would open decks and take the cards they needed. I thought maybe I had accidentally stuck some in my pocket and forgot about them.

And that was that. They fired me for something I didn't do.

Really gets me angry thinking back on it.

I'm having Deja Vu, have you recounted this story before? Either way, your story and the story of that poor deceased person are just terrible.

 

[Infinite]

How is this legal???

How is it legal for them to arrest him without any evidence of wrong doing?

 

[Bsigg12]

I've actually seen this happen twice while I was working with Target. They aren't secretive about it at all, they make a display of someone they suspect them of shoplifting.

Hopefully the woman wins.

 

[Somnid]

Whoever wrote that article seriously needs to define what they mean by "parade." It's used like 10 times in that article and just left to the imagination as to what that entails and it's the entire crux of this issue.

 

[ElectricBlanketFire]

I'm having Deja Vu, have you recounted this story before? Either way, your story and the story of that poor deceased person are just terrible.

I don't think I've ever shared it here, but it's certainly possible.

 

[slit]

Well Target is in a bind. They can't fight this without dragging this dead boy's name through the mud in court, which they won't do for obvious reasons. If I was the mother. I would not give up until the store and/or district manager are fired in addition to the money.

 

[CrankyJay]

Ah fuck this.

 

[Dalek]

I've actually seen this happen twice while I was working with Target. They aren't secretive about it at all, they make a display of someone they suspect them of shoplifting.

Hopefully the woman wins.

For the people who have seen this in person, did it happen after hours? Or right in front of customers?

 

[Circle Jerk]

Eh, I don't know that we're getting the full straight story here. There's a few things I think we can agree on though. First, you shouldn't treat your employees like that. That's wrong. If they stole, and you're going to have them arrested, send the police to their home. Secondly, a policy of shaming, if it exists, is just flat out wrong.

Now, I have a hard time believing that if the police were waiting for him at the store to handcuff him that they "paraded" him around the store. I'm sure they handcuffed him at the doors and walked him back to the office, but I doubt it was some giant shaming ritual. I'm sure that the walk back feels long and embarrassing, but I highly doubt it's anything but a direct walk back to the office that happens to pass co-workers and customers along the way.

But man, why do you need to throw handcuffs on someone who is clearly not dangerous? I get having the police there, but just escort him back to the office, without handcuffs, and decide if an arrest needs to be made back there. If there's sufficient reason to arrest him, then put the handcuffs on. Putting them on before even talking it out is pretty gross.

Handcuffing someone at the front of the store and bringing them to the back counts as parading. It's weird that you're trying to say they shouldn't have done it while also trying to minimize what they did.

 

[Darklord]

Retail is highly susceptible to the Peter Principle, so a lot of times management is beyond inept.

Inept they might be but they have to follow certain store policies and procedures. I just can't imagine this was allowed by anyone higher up. But it says two managers too. Why would police willingly do it as well? Sure some cops can be pricks but I've never met one who'd take orders from a damn retail manager. The whole thing just sounds so weird.

If this has been allowed by Target then man, they are FUCKED.

 

[Infinite]

For the people who have seen this in person, did it happen after hours? Or right in front of customers?

In front of customers.

 

[Bsigg12]

Whoever wrote that article seriously need to define what they mean by "parade." It's used like 10 times in that article and just left to the imagination as to what that entails and it's the entire crux of this issue.

Parade is probably a little much because he was cuffed at the door and taken to a managers office which are typically in the front of the store. I highly doubt they walked him anywhere else but if they did they're scum. Also, they could have just asked to come back to the managers office and escort him there without cuffing him. Some Target managers go on power trips with these things.

 

[bsod]

Whoever wrote that article seriously needs to define what they mean by "parade." It's used like 10 times in that article and just left to the imagination as to what that entails and it's the entire crux of this issue.

Yeah, initially in my head I was thinking that they were having in walk around the store in handcuffs as a form of humiliation but it seems like the police handcuffed him under the suspicion that he stole from the store and walked him to the office.

 

[efyu_lemonardo]

How is it legal for them to arrest him without any evidence of wrong doing?

yes. that along with the intentional humiliation. I don't understand why police would cooperate with something like this without at least a minimal amount of evidence.
Even then, you question him in private. Why disgrace this person as if he was some rapist or something?
This is a ridiculously non proportional use of force.

Personally I wouldn't be satisfied until the highest level manager of the Target chain that suggested or supported this policy lose their job.