Man Saves Bank but Lost Job!
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
Philippines
August 3, 2009 1:19pm CST
What the Hell?! I was about to sleep already when I saw video in Yahoo Videos. It was kinda reported. A bank was robbed, then when the robber was leaving. a bit far the employee chased him, moments later he grabbed the robber until the Cops arrive.
I was expecting him to be the Hero of the Hour, but he got Fired simply because it was to believed to have violated rules...
but what's shocking is something that i found out in the Wikipedia..
Not Referral Link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key_Bank
[b]KeyBank became the subject of some controversy in early August 2009, when the company fired Jim Nicholson, a teller at a Seattle branch.
Nicholson was confronted by a man who, claiming to have a weapon, handed him a bag and demanded money. Instead of complying with the would-be robber's demands, Nicholson lunged for the man and demanded to see the his weapon. When the man fled, Nicholson pursued, ultimately catching the him and holding him until authorities arrived. The man later turned out to be unarmed.
Nicholson was then terminated under a policy that requires employees to comply with robbery demands and avoid confrontations. [/b]
Hey, the Bank was kinda cool, but the Rule S*cks.
..
..8 people like this
21 responses
@mentalward (14691)
• United States
3 Aug 09
That's awfully extreme, if you ask me. Firing the guy for being a hero? Sure, it's against bank policy but, geez, to fire the guy??? He could have been reprimanded for ignoring his training and the bank's procedures, but GEEZ! He captured the bank robber!
I certainly hope that he receives dozens of job offers from other companies for his valiant and most courageous effort! I hope he gets offered a BETTER job with BETTER pay, BETTER benefits, BETTER hours and one he's much happier with. That sure would make the bank that fired him look pretty shameful! I can only hope it comes back to bite that bank right in the derriere!
I'd like to know the name of that bank because, if I had money in it, I would most definitely be taking it OUT of that bank and into another one and letting them know exactly WHY I'm doing it!
Firing the guy for doing what was obviously his first reaction, that's just too extreme. That's just too screwed up for me. 
@mentalward (14691)
• United States
3 Aug 09
Oops, sorry, Key Bank. I got all fired up before reading the name of the Bank. I went to that link you provided because I know how banks eat other banks along the way, buying out, merging, whatever they want to call it, and wanted to make sure that my bank is in no way connected to that one.
It isn't. 
3 people like this
@mentalward (14691)
• United States
4 Aug 09
I'm pretty sure that all banks do that, have policies against confronting bank robbers and just let them take the money. It is to ensure the safety of both the bank employees and the customers.
I just think that firing that guy went too far. They could have sent him to work at their headquarters and place him back farthest away from the door so he wouldn't have tried anything heroic again. Firing him was just too extreme, in my opinion.
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
4 Aug 09
If you want you can check the policies on your bank to see if they have this sort of policy as well. if they do, eventually any employee or teller in your bank who would try to be heroics might later gets fired. I hope so too, i bet that guy completely regrets chasing that robber.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
4 Aug 09
It does seem like that because it all turned out well that he should be commended for his efforts. Still, I kind of get where the bank is coming from. Not all that react that way would have the same happy ending. In fact if the guy did have a weapon, the way this employee reacted could have brought harm not only to himself but to others around him. I think firing him was a bit harsh but ya...he handled it wrong.
3 people like this
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
4 Aug 09
or he could have killed and would cost the company even more troubled because it will include damage and insurance.i wonder what the customers thought when they heard the news, or those who saw it in the bank
.
@GardenGerty (157650)
• United States
4 Aug 09
I have heard of other businesses that have this rule as well. They do not want an employee to risk their life. They do not want the employee to turn a robbery into assault of murder by making the thief mad. I think the most often I hear this is in regard to Convenience Stores and Pizza Delivery persons. I am not sure if most banks have this rule, but I am still glad he got the money back.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157650)
• United States
5 Aug 09
It varies from corporation to corporation. If it is an independent store it is up to the owner.
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
4 Aug 09
yeah, at least they could have thank him for that before they got him fired, though..i thought they didn't have that rule in convenient stores, so that means every cashier that i saw on tv who fought for their lives against the robbers, got fired??.1 person likes this
@jillmalitz (5131)
• United States
3 Aug 09
I saw that. I guess the bank had a right to fire him because of their policy. But it does seem kind of bad. I hope some one will come to his aid with another job soon.
3 people like this
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
4 Aug 09
I am sure some one would. but i doubt they'll endorse him to a bank
@icehut (508)
•
3 Aug 09
Well, that's gratitude! But, the policy is meant to keep staff from putting themselves in to more danger. He chose to chase after the thief as the thief was leaving which meant that he was putting himself in danger. Had the thief attacked the teller inside the bank, the policy would not apply. They were a bit harsh on him though...
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157650)
• United States
4 Aug 09
We are always amazed at how strictly a rule can be implemented. I hope he does get another job, though.
1 person likes this
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
4 Aug 09
Now that's surprising, so he could have been a hero if the thief fought back and loose to the teller? i guess the robber was smart a bit and made the teller looks stupid, though. i am pretty sure they had it explaining to him before he got fired.
@ishavasyam (1801)
• India
4 Aug 09
HELLO LetranKnight25, GOOD MORNING..i READ WITH INTEREST ur story of the bank employee..its a pity to think about his fate ..but then when I thought about the bank 's policy, I really appreciate the same.It is basically from the emplyees safety point of view..nothing wrong in it.. yes, this particular case apperas to be quite unfortunate..but just think in generic terms, a bank which considers emplyees beyond any consideration for money..is it not gr8 ?have a nice day..bye..
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
4 Aug 09
Hello ishavasyam, Yes probably it has something to with policy. and they probably have a Surveillance Camera and Immediate assistance from the Cops so how can he decide to do that. I wonder if they have that kind of Policy in the Philippines, that would be bad to some one who take guts and save the bank....
@sudiptacallingu (10879)
• India
4 Aug 09
OMG this has to be the cruelest joke I have ever come across and what sort of rules are those?! There might be some good intentions behind framing such rules like maybe the bank doesn’t want any of its employees to be hurt or involved but if somebody has had the guts to stand up to robbers, its extremely shameful and shocking that the person is sacked instead of being rewarded.
2 people like this
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
4 Aug 09
Probably No teller in history has ever fought back like that guy. I have seen it in Stores where Cashiers became instant heroes for fighting Robbers. MAybe he should work in the Store instead, am sure they'll give him a medal for it. i feel bad for him.
@AmbiePam (85660)
• United States
3 Aug 09
I know. It's ridicuous. I mean I get what they want. They don't want the tellers to fight back lest they get hurt or something goes wrong and a bystander gets hurt. But so what? No one got hurt. They should be thanking these people. With all the attention this gets I wonder if he'll be getting some job offers...
2 people like this
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
4 Aug 09
am sure he'll be recommended by other people for his bravery. and if the customers didn't understood that policy just executed by the bank, they might end up loosing some depositors.at least no one got hurt and that's important.
@silverglint (2000)
• Philippines
4 Aug 09
Well I guess the bank wanted to stick to the rules but I wished they did something else to at least honor the guy who was heroic enough to risk his life. They could have just made a recommendation letter for the guy so that he can easily find a new job in another bank with a much better policy with regards to bank robberies. I feel that they should have just overlooked the offense since the guy saved them from suffering loss. With ingratitude like that, they will definitely have a hard time looking for people who really are concerned for the company's welfare.
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
4 Aug 09
I could have said the same thing but if there's other Banks that holds the same policies as Key Bank, then they might other think twice, or think a while before accepting him to that sort of job. Violating Policies can be a negative points to him if he is asked by that incident.
@gcorp09 (940)
• Singapore
4 Aug 09
Well, thanks for the interesting news you had posted here. In my opinion, I think the bank is a bit strict on this, but I also do see the rationale behind it. The staff is putting himself and the rest into danger by lunging at the man and demanding to see the weapon. I mean, in this situation, he was lucky that the robber do not have a weapon. However, just imagine what if he stays on the bank, and the bank encounters another robbery. If he tries to act "hero" again, and this time, the robber do have a weapon with him, the robber may get angry, and not just robbed the bank only. The rest of the people in the bank (the staff and the customers) will be implicated, and you never know if he may just injure or even kill people to appease his anger... (Note: the robber may not necessary grab the staff, but other customers such as woman or child)
Well, I do know that I'm thinking much ahead, but I mean if he had acted "hero" once and was not fired (only reprimanded or such), what is the likelihood that he will do that again when he encounter another of such situation. I think that he will most likely act similarly to this.
@gcorp09 (940)
• Singapore
5 Aug 09
Well, yes, they could have reprimanded him, but maybe the management thought that this may be too lenient, and other staff could take it that they will just be reprimanded for breaking any policies. I mean they must have put into serious thought before firing him. They may feel that this act seriously compromise the safety of the other staff in the bank as well as the customers.
I do believe that there is a security guard, but maybe they are supposed not to do anything too, but to secretly report to police... I thought the banks have a silent alarm, where the staff can press, and the nearest police station will know that there's a robbery, and come over to the bank soonest.
In any way, the fact is that he had been fired, and it's going to be a bit tough on him if he applies for another bank teller job for now. Well, his name is all over the newspapers. We just have to hope that some others would be willing to hire him soon...
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
4 Aug 09
well, if they reprimand him then surely he won't do it again. and where's the security guards by the way? didn't they have security there? i doubt he would do it again because if he do, he get's really fired and a bad reference call for his future applications to other banks.
@Azaerus (820)
• Philippines
3 Aug 09
Oh my..their rule kind a sucks..just imagined he risked his own life to save the bank and everyone else in it and then he's still ends up to be fired just because he chose to not follow the rule of giving what the robber demands..
As you said he should be rewarded in return but instead this is what he gets in a return..when did the rule "good people gets punished" been out??
Did he protest??or did they even gave him a chance to explain his side??What kind of people does this??
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
4 Aug 09
No, he didn't probably he got vigilantly conscious that he forgot some company policies that's why he got fired. He didn't have to explain, the policy said it all. it's policy to comply with the robbers demands so that hte customers and employees won't get hurt..
@Philbo (578)
• Canada
4 Aug 09
The banks policy is a good one for the safety of employees and other people in the building but... There are times when I've been in a confrontation where I know the idiot I'm facing is bluffing. Jim Nicholson I'm sure was smart enough to know it was a bluff. I'm sure he would have just followed policy if he had any thought that the guy actually had a weapon. Firing him was the wrong thing to do plain and simple. Give him a lecture on the importance of following policy and making sure he understands is fine. If he was still working there how quick would a bank robber be to target that particular branch again. Policies are great tools for running companies but in instances like this an exception so have been made. The company suffered no harm from the incident. If anything it benefited at least until they fired the man. Now they look like a bunch of nitpicking cowards.
1 person likes this
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
4 Aug 09
but I was thinking too when i read wikipedia and watch yahoo videos, the robber didn't have any weapons at all. so, what's the point of the guy chasing the robber, if he wouldn't die it would have been even more trouble some to the bank.but also it would encourage tellers to act cowardly1 person likes this
@bluesinjid (658)
• Canada
4 Aug 09
Wow this is rather shocking... I couldn't believe this that a bank teller, saving the bank lots of money and integrity would fire the guy who saved it all! Man, this bank teller handled it so well, catching the robber and wait for the authorities, I think he should get a job as a cop, as that is what he is really good at! Just wish he gets a job soon, or the companies rehires him.
2 people like this
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
4 Aug 09
Yes, it is. i agree about the cop thing, he's so brave that being brave in the bank was not even in his job description. i doubt the company will re-hire him for this. 
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
10 Aug 09
You'd think they would be glad that he would go the distance to help the bank save money. Weird rules and they do suck. So I guess instead of the reward he got the pink slip. He probably saved the bank from higher insurance premiums since no money was taken. I can just see alot of people going hmmmmm...lets go rob a bank it's their policy to not stop us..I wonder why they have security in most banks then to supposedly stops would be robberies.
@jwfarrimond (4473)
•
4 Aug 09
Well, they obviously have the rule so that employees and customers would not get hurt, but firing the man was really not necessary. It shows just how inflexible and stupid the management of that bank are. The man should have been commended not had the rule book thrown at him. He's better off not working for that bank, and given the publicity that he's got I'd be surprised if he did not already have another job.
1 person likes this
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
5 Aug 09
Even though that some rules should be followed, they should still look at the possibilities of trying to consider certain situations wherein something unexpected could happen.
Even though the rules that they have for that bank are all for saving lives and avoiding conflict, if a confrontation occurs and robbers get apprehended, wouldn't that be something to rocognize? Even though they end up being seen as heroes, banks don't want to have employees who are willing to fight back robbers?
Things are just weird..
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
4 Aug 09
He took a very big chance oon doing that. He is lucky the man wasn't armed & that he didn't get hurt. I think it was very extreme of the bank to fire him. I know rules are rules but i think they should have thought about what the man saved them & that noone wss hurt.
@CRIVAS (1815)
• Canada
4 Aug 09
That has got to be the strangest thing I have ever heard, this guy practically risked his life to benift the bank and in the end they fire him? It makes me mad that a person is trying to do the right thing and gets punished for it. I understand that they have rules but this guy was trying to help and now he's lost his job, I think these rules need to be changed, I think I would have done the same thing. I guess the guy learned his lesson: Don't do anything nice, you'll just get fired if you do? Wow great lesson to learn.
1 person likes this
@my_name_is_coco (4334)
• Philippines
11 Aug 09
aww,that rule sucks .the employee risked his life to save the bank.in return,he got fired of trying to save the bank.they should have been grateful of their employee's loyalty.in my opinion,the guy didn't violate any rule.he acted on impulse to save the bank.
