SHELTON, Wash — A Hallmark employee was terminated after an incident with a shopper in a Mason County store, where she asked her, “Do you need boxes to pack and go home?” The incident, which was captured on video and shared on social media, has sparked outrage and community support for the targeted shopper.
The confrontation occurred in Shelton on Monday when a Hallmark employee, who was restocking items, made remarks towards a customer named Catalina. The video continued with the employee saying, “When they deport you, all your stuff stays here and gets auctioned off.”
The shopper, who has lived in the Shelton area for 16 years, recorded the encounter.
“She just felt really sad, and she didn’t deserve to go through it,” said Catalina’s son, interpreting for his mother.
Catalina hopes the video will raise awareness about the impact of such behavior.
“Realize that it is not okay to treat someone like that because we are also human,” her son translated. “We have feelings.”
The video has received attention on a community Facebook page, prompting reactions from residents.
“Initially, the first time I watched it through, it was kind of shocking to me. Then the second time I watched, it was disgusting to me,” said Kathy Brooks of Shelton. “I think for this individual to make such a huge jump was really a poor reflection on her. We just want to make sure it’s not a poor reflection on our community, because people in this area, most of them, do not support that attitude.”
In response to the incident, Hallmark terminated the employee’s contract. The company released a statement saying, “Hallmark believes that our consumers, co-workers, and members of the public with whom we interact should be treated with respect. This individual failed to meet the conduct expectations we set for ourselves, and consequently, her employment was terminated.”
Catalina said the incident was especially uncomfortable because it occurred in front of her young daughter.