Coca Cola employees fired for using reward promotions

Calvin · 08-13-2008, 06:58 AM

Source: Benicia Coke plant workers say firings were unfair - ContraCostaTimes.com

Quote:

BENICIA — More than a dozen longtime employees of Benicia's Coca-Cola facility have been fired, some say for participating in a promotion they were encouraged to join.

One 11-year employee said the company first told workers not to take part in the "My Coke Rewards" merchandise promotion. But six months later, "we were told we should sign up because the Web site wasn't getting enough hits," said Frank Grant, 36. The Cotati, a distribution supervisor, said he was let go about a week ago.

Promotion participants collect points redeemable for merchandise like T-shirts, barbecues and gift cards, Grant said.

Evidently, the small print, which Grant acknowledged he did not read, prohibits employees from redeeming more than 2,000 points per year, and he exceeded the limit. When he learned it was not allowed, he offered to return the merchandise or repay its value, he said.

"They told me I had to pay back all of it, not just the portion over 2,000 points, or they'd pursue criminal action, but, since I was honest and had been a good employee, they'd give me the option of resigning or being terminated," Grant said.

"My feeling is that they told us to participate and didn't fully explain the rules. They could have given us some warning."

A company spokesman denied the former employees were mistreated, but he said he could offer no specifics about why they were no longer working at Coca-Cola.

Pepsi · 08-13-2008, 08:58 AM

That's a shame no one should lose their job over something like that.

jillio · 08-13-2008, 10:14 AM

I see a lwasuit coming!

Bottesini · 08-13-2008, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillio

I see a lwasuit coming!

I hope the workers win!

jillio · 08-13-2008, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bottesini

I hope the workers win!

Me, too!

PowerON · 08-13-2008, 10:58 AM

Maybe the workers didn't look at employee's handbook that explain everything. Or even the reward promotion's fine print.

Wokamuka · 08-13-2008, 03:00 PM

I've always known that a person working for the corporation/company that offers "freebies" cannot participate in the promotion.

Obviously, this safeguards the promotion against "fix" accusations.

If they have Coke's request that employees participate in the promotion in writing (i.e., black and white), then they have a case.

Otherwise, I'd be hesitant to participate in my company's promotion(s) because it's always forbidden.

sara1981 · 08-14-2008, 01:01 AM

that shameful!

***VamPyroX*** · 08-14-2008, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wokamuka

I've always known that a person working for the corporation/company that offers "freebies" cannot participate in the promotion.

Obviously, this safeguards the promotion against "fix" accusations.

If they have Coke's request that employees participate in the promotion in writing (i.e., black and white), then they have a case.

Otherwise, I'd be hesitant to participate in my company's promotion(s) because it's always forbidden.

I agree. This is something that's common sense.

You can't participate in things that you work for.

Calvin · 08-14-2008, 02:57 AM

SG for fixing my first post

Yeah, those long time employees should have known it's not allowed to participate in promotions. Whether Coca Cola tricked them into participate, and/or fine print was put in wrong place that makes easier to overlook. They didn't get all the facts til it's too late and they all lost the job and they can't have a case against them either.

Matilda · 08-14-2008, 03:25 AM

Being a regular competition entrant, I thought it was common knowledge that employees do not enter their own workplace promotions/competitions.

That rule has been around for "donkey's years".

***~SG~*** · 08-14-2008, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calvin

SG for fixing my first post

You're welcome, Calvin.

That's pretty shame I do hope the workers will find another way.

CCfan · 08-14-2008, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillio

Me, too!

Second that! If worker win against the Coca-Cola Company, I will boycott
Coca-cola for more losing money. Now, I hate Coca-Cola, these days of Coke
is now crappy taste. Pepsi is best when I using with ice cubes! Pepsi rocks!

08-13-2008, 08:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
Pepsi The One and Only Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: USA Posts: 3,396	That's a shame no one should lose their job over something like that. __________________

08-13-2008, 10:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
PowerON Please don't click me! D: Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Would like to live at Fort Davis, TX Posts: 4,780 Blog Entries: 1	Maybe the workers didn't look at employee's handbook that explain everything. Or even the reward promotion's fine print. __________________ • [Illustrator.Blog-alloon.com] • Don't shoot me! I'm only blogger!

08-13-2008, 03:00 PM	#7 (permalink)
Wokamuka 1.20.09 : end of an error Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 1,827	I've always known that a person working for the corporation/company that offers "freebies" cannot participate in the promotion. Obviously, this safeguards the promotion against "fix" accusations. If they have Coke's request that employees participate in the promotion in writing (i.e., black and white), then they have a case. Otherwise, I'd be hesitant to participate in my company's promotion(s) because it's always forbidden. __________________

08-14-2008, 01:01 AM	#8 (permalink)
sara1981 Batista's fans Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: North Little Rock,Ar Posts: 3,281	that shameful! __________________

08-14-2008, 02:57 AM	#10 (permalink)
Calvin Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: California Posts: 1,788	SG for fixing my first post Yeah, those long time employees should have known it's not allowed to participate in promotions. Whether Coca Cola tricked them into participate, and/or fine print was put in wrong place that makes easier to overlook. They didn't get all the facts til it's too late and they all lost the job and they can't have a case against them either. __________________

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08-13-2008, 10:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
jillio Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,163	I see a lwasuit coming!

08-14-2008, 03:25 AM	#11 (permalink)
Matilda Boxing Kangaroo "Jack" Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 2,176	Being a regular competition entrant, I thought it was common knowledge that employees do not enter their own workplace promotions/competitions. That rule has been around for "donkey's years".

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