Sean Egan was dismissed from his role as Morrisons store manager in Aldridge after confronting a shoplifter who spat in his face during an incident on December 3.
The 46-year-old had worked at the Anchor Road branch for nearly 30 years, starting on the delicatessen counter at age 17.
Egan said he stepped in after a female colleague was confronted by the shoplifter, who was placing bottles of Jack Daniel’s whiskey into a bag.
As he tried to remove the man from the store, Egan said he was spat in the face, which he described as triggering his instinctive reaction to create space.
He told BirminghamLive that he threw his hand back and connected with the shoplifter’s face, clarifying that there was no punch, only an instant reaction to prevent being spat at again.
The shoplifter then set his hand into his bag, prompting Egan to grab his arm, after which they wrestled and inadvertently clashed heads with another staff member assisting in the removal.
Even during the removal, the shoplifter attempted to headbutt staff and spat at them before being arrested by police, who Egan said knew the individual.
Officers took a witness statement, and Egan said he felt he had performed a civil service for the community by intervening.
Days later, his area manager informed him of an investigation, which concluded in February that he was at fault for failing to follow Morrisons’ do-not-detain policy for shoplifters.
Egan said he had never undergone an investigation before and was taken aback by the outcome, adding that his nearly three decades of service were not considered.
He described the incident as blown out of proportion, insisting he had only seconds to protect customers and colleagues, yet none of that context was taken into account.
Now working as a window cleaner to make ends meet, Egan said he is seeking full-time perform and has missed several mortgage payments.
Despite his long tenure, he expressed uncertainty about returning to retail after the investigation.
In a statement, a Morrisons spokesperson said the company continues to take wide-ranging action to address shoplifting and violence, emphasizing that colleague and customer safety is paramount.
The spokesperson stated that Morrisons has clear guidance, procedures, and controls in place to protect staff and customers from harm, which must be strictly followed.
These include detailed procedures for handling shoplifting incidents designed to protect those involved and surrounding individuals, with a focus on de-escalation and calm control.
The company reiterated that it will not request colleagues to put themselves at risk and that its focus as a responsible employer is on taking correct action to maintain health and safety at all times.
Egan said his last pay was in January and that he is barely surviving, impacting his personal life, relationships with his children and partner, and social interactions.
He expressed frustration over what he described as a lack of support and adequate policies to protect employees from theft and violence in the workplace.
What was Morrisons’ stated policy regarding employee intervention in shoplifting incidents?
Morrisons has a do-not-detain policy for shoplifters, which requires staff not to confront or detain individuals suspected of theft.
How did Sean Egan describe his physical response when spat at by the shoplifter?
Egan said he threw his hand back and connected with the shoplifter’s face to create space, clarifying that there was no punch, only an instant reaction to prevent being spat at again.
What employment is Sean Egan currently pursuing after his dismissal from Morrisons?
Egan is now working as a window cleaner to make ends meet and is seeking full-time employment.
