Dear Editor:
I would like to take a moment and respond to the letter in the paper titled, Woman mistreated in stores, business lost from racial profiling as I am one of the staff referenced in this letter.
I cannot comment on the lady’s experience in the small gas station/convenience store but I sure can address her experience in the store I work in.
First the accusation of racial profiling: Wow. I remember this incident but until this letter I could not have told you what color her skin is. I was completely shocked and dismayed to think that anyone would accuse me of racial profiling. I am also disgusted to think that someone would be so quick to label a person a racist just because things did not go in their favor. I feel discriminated against for being labelled a racist for simply doing my job. The only racial profiling being done was by the guy who submitted the first letter.
The second thing I would like to address is the coupon. We had very clear and explicit instructions from our head office to not accept any coupons that did not have the receipt attached. In fact, the day before this incident we were questioned by head office about the number of coupons we were accepting and once again they made it very clear that the receipt must be attached (no coupons were accepted without receipts). Unfortunately the coupon did not have any restrictions printed on it regarding this but we were mandated by head office to follow their instructions. I explained this to the lady in a polite manner that it was unfortunately out of my control.
Although I sympathize with this lady regarding the coupon incident I will not apologize for doing my job. At this point I feel that I am owed an apology as this is a serious accusation.
Sherry Macaulay