Lowe's Employee Returns To Job After Being Fired For Confronting Thieves - 'Products Can Be Replaced; People Cannot'

Over the weekend, Lowe's announced that it would be reinstating a long-time employee after firing her for attempting to stop thieves from robbing the store and violating the company’s policy. 

The employee, 68-year-old Donna Hansbrough, was fired back in June after making the attempt at her Georgia store. The thieves stole roughly $2,000 worth of product and she was struck three times in the face when she grabbed one of the robber's shopping carts. Hansbrough had been working for the store for 13 years at the time of the incident. 

"After senior management became aware of the incident and spoke to Donna Hansbrough today, we are reinstating her job, and we are pleased that she has accepted the offer to return to Lowe’s. First and foremost, there’s nothing more important than the safety of our customers and associates. Products can be replaced; people cannot. We continue to work closely with law enforcement to investigate and prosecute those who are responsible for this theft and violent attack," the statement from Lowes read, per Fox News. 

Since the incident, police have identified the suspects as Takyah Berry, Lamar Lawton, and Joseph Berry, but have only been able to bring Lawton into custody. The other two, Joseph and Takyah, are supposedly uncle and niece, according to a Facebook post from the local police department. They are asking anyone to call 912-826-5200 if they have any information that can lead to finding the hiding thieves.

It’s unfortunate that Hansbrough had to go through what she did but it’s also good that Lowes decided to reinstate her. The rules by companies to simply allow robbers to steal from stores seem to be coming from the right place in wanting to keep employees out of harm's way but it also seems to consistently be burning well-intentioned individuals. 

It’s important that employees aren’t expected to directly confront thieves and put their lives on the line for merchandise but it’s equally important that employees are not punished for taking a stand against rampant crime. There’s certainly a comfortable middle-ground that can be found here that wouldn’t punish well-intentioned individuals like Hansbrough.