Death By Zhu Zhu: Target Fires Seven Employees For Buying Popular Toy

We previously followed the allegations that the popular Zhu Zhu Pets are toxic. Now, they can not only allegedly make you sick but make you jobless. Just ask David Lawrinowicz of Lancaster, Pa.

Lawrinowicz worked for Target for eight years before he was fired. He and other employees worked overnight at their Target unloading items. Before leaving for the day at 5 a.m. the next morning, he and six other employees lined up to buy a few of the plush hamsters each. He bought two. (Well, below the store limit of four per customer).

A few days later, Lawrinowicz was called into the human resources office and told employees were not allowed to purchase “popular items” until the store opens at 8 a.m. That would seem an appropriate response and he returned to work. However, two weeks later, all of the workers and their team leader were called in and fired pursuant to the company’s policy about buying “two-day ad items.” None of the employees ever saw a posting on the policy, though the store insisted it was posted.

Target seems unapologetic about offing a bunch of employees shortly before Christmas: “These guidelines are in place to provide our guests with the same purchasing opportunities as our team members. We are committed to making the items our guests want as available as possible to ensure a positive guest experience.” Ok, I get it, but how about a few steps between a warning and DEFCON 4?

[update: Target has reversed firings after public outcry, here]

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