what to do if one Wal-mart employee calls social- services everytime I go in.?

Question

I thought it was just coincedence, but after the third time, I got mad. It is always the same call: neglect. This last time, the police were called when my daughter wandered over to the next aisle!! I know who she is, by name, and have never met her, but what started it all, one night,late , i was with my kids, and the frozen food aisle was crowded with carts. i asked my daughter,4, to stay close by me, so she wouldn't get hit by a cart. The woman,with her hubby, was at the other end of the aisle, and immediatly opened her cell, and began to punch numbers. i paid no attention, it wasn't my business. The police show up, and the woman points to me, I shrug my shoulders, and go out the door. the police did not stop me, and I thought no more of it. Now, 3 monthes later, every time i go in wal-mart, I get a call from social services saying neglect,even though my kids never leave me or my hubby's side. i havent gone to the manager yet for fear he will side with her & not hear me out.

the woman is a "christian" and she knows I am not one. She does not like me because I do not go to church, and she knows this. I take good care of my kids, BTW, and she likes to mind other's business.She is a goody-goody, and actually looks for me when I go in. I told hubby i will leave the kids with him, but since he drives cab, at night, when i go, it is often difficult for me to go alone. I live in the South, where people often do not mind their own business, and i have made more than my share of enemies due to my views.

I went in " late" at 9, because at that time, the store is nearly empty and quieter then. that was the night it all started.

and yes, that is all to the story. I did not leave anything out.

Answer 1

No, go to the manager.

He or she would not appreciate knowing one of the employees is doing this. You have proof, whether you know it or not, that you aren't doing anything wrong in these situations: Walmarts have security cameras throughout the stores. If there is a question about if these are valid calls, ask to have those tapes pulled and viewed by the cops, the manager, the employee and children's services. If all you're doing is walking through the store with your child, they'll see that, and can determine if any calls from this woman about you are valid.

You may want to look into filing a restraining order at that point. This is a form of harrassment, and you should not have to be questioned by police or social services on a regular basis for walking through Walmart with your daughter beside you.

Honestly, though, it sounds like the police are aware of the fact that the woman's calls are bogus, because if they felt there was a credible threat to your child, they would not have allowed you to walk out with your daughter without attempting to stop you.

If they'll do a restraining order, that may stop her from being able to make the calls, but in reality, she can do whatever she wants. She has her own ideas about you as a parent, but since she's not technically interrupting your life, there may not be anything you can do about it.

But definately tell the manager. If she's doing it to you, you can bet she's doing it to other parents, too, and she needs to understand that it is NOT neglect to have a four-year-old child walk beside you. In fact, that's pretty much the best thing they can do, since they are often too active and too big to be in the shopping cart. Then, children run off, they wander off, they get distracted and you can think they're right beside you when they aren't. You don't call social services when they wander off, as an employee, she should help a child who has run off find his or her parents, taking them to customer service.

The people at children's services are overworked already. There are unbelievable numbers of children in bad homes with bad parents, and THEY do need help. People who abuse the system by calling in repetative, uncalled-for "tips" are distracting authorities from the children who really do need help, and it needs to stop.

Answer 2

There are two possibilities here that I can see. First possibility- don't get offended but- is your child doing something that you're not aware of? I'd be careful to note everything that went on in each situation and make absolutely certain that you're in the right, even by the standards of people much stricter than yourself. With that out of the way. . .

Even if your child was running around screaming with glass stuck in her foot and you were on the cell or something, the rational response is for the bystander to assist the child and get your attention. If that fails and you were inattentive and rude- THEN the authorities ought to be notified.

So I am left with the likely second possibility- assuming everything is as you have stated it, this chick is trying to get your children taken away. If you don't do anything, this may actually occur. Every time a call is made, the authorities HAVE to look into you, and the more that happens, the more they're likely to think there is something to this. The frequency of complaints may actually come up as evidence against you. I've known perfectly good families who have had bad experiences with children's services because a possibly well meaning busybody saw cat scratches on a child's leg or something. Do not stop with reporting this to the manager (although you should do that, too.) Get a lawyer. At the very least, this is harrassment or defamation of character. Find one who is good at case law concerning situations dealing with the children of non christians, or at least one who is open minded enough to consider the possibility that you might not be demonspawn just because your kids don't go to church. There are actually several books on the subject of the law and non christians. I can get you a list if you're interested. I don't envy you- good luck.

Answer 3

First of all... do NOT confront this employee! Whether you try to approach her, friendly or not... clearly this woman has a problem with you. Don't try to resolve this by talking to her. If she is making false and unreasonable claims, then she cannot be reasoned with over a friendly discussion.

Report her to the store manager, it does not matter who's side he/she takes. It should still be reported. The next time the police arrive, go and talk to them, and ask them what the problem is. You have the right to know what you are being accused of. Or ask Social Services what exactly is going on. But my guess is, that if after 3 months they have not done anything, then they obviously have not found anything valid from the claims against you.

If this continues, do your best to avoid that store. Why would you continue to put yourself in this situation? I am sure there are others stores you can go to. If not, then do what I suggested above. Good luck!

Answer 4

First off I apologize that a christian is acting in this manner! This is totally unchristian like unless their is a reason. But if the story you are telling is how it really is then there is no reason for it!
You need to approach her first off and ask her if she is the one calling social services and why. The reason I say ask her first is because if it was just woman in walmart with her husband who took out her cell phone and made a call and then the police show up...that could be assumptions made! Was she working or shopping? What if she really wasn't calling social services. What if it is not what you percieve? If someone makes a complaint to the police and they show up and you are pointed out, they wouldn't just let you walk out without any contact. That doesn't make sense. Everytime you go to walmart you get a call of neglect? When you get home you get a call?
So their are many things to consider and to realize that assumptions are not always right. So approach her and if she doesn't answer or treats you badly, no matter what the end result is (unless she agrees to lay off) then go to her manager and explain the situation that you think is happening and explain that you approached her and talked to her and tell him the result. If nothing is still further resolved then go to the police station, explain the problem, tell them that you talked to the lady herself and the manager and nothing was resolved and ask what can be done.
One good thing is that if all this time social services hasn't done anything yet cause of no found cause then they probably won't. But it does mean that you will always be watching exactly everything you do with the kids and everything the kids do. So the best thing would be to start working your way up the ladder to resolve this.

Answer 5

For starters, there was no poll on the percentage of employees at that store on EBT. Secondly, I don't know the woman's circumstances. Does she have kids with no father at home? You would think that 18+k a year would probably support a single woman and even a single woman with a child. If there was a father at home, you could at least double that wage and a family of four could live from it. Did the woman at Walmart make poor decisions, I don't know but if she is having to have the government take money from others to help her provide, probably. What is her history? Did she complete high school? Does she have a house full of kids? The story is incomplete and therefore worthless. lp

Answer 6

I think don't if you can possible help it don't take you child to Wal-Mart or around this woman. Either she wants to cause you trouble. I think if you have a sitter or your mom or mother in law watch your child for just as long as it takes to go to Wal-Mart . And if you have to take him in there make sure he or she is with you at all times. Specially if this Wal-Mart worKer calling social services on you. I think best if you find a good sitter. Grandma or your mom to watch your child while you go to walmart. It pick another store. at least for awhile. I think for the best.

Answer 7

first, because old southern women (I am fast becoming one myself) are nosy and can't mind their own business has nothing to do with christianity or anyone's religious affiliation or orientation, let's please clear that up.

it does sound like the woman is crossing the line. I would DEFINITELY say something to the manager, especially if the police can not find any reason to approach you everytime they show up!!! I worked in a grocery store when I was younger, about a hundred years ago, and my experience is that store managers (my ex-husband being one) DO stick with the "customer is always right"...especially this being a direct personal attack on you, with legal ramifications, while this woman is on Wal-Mart time!!! If you don't get any satisfaction from the manager, politely mention that you will simply have to let the local news media know that parents should not come to Wal-Mart with their children (about 90% of their business!!!)

Answer 8

You don't have anything to lose by going to the manager, except possibly the "fear" of going into Wal-Mart. The manager should be made aware of the situation, so that he can observe what is happening, and can appropriately discipline an employee who is harassing a customer. Additionally, I would consider talking to the police about this behavior, as harassment is a criminal offense. You shouldn't have to plan your trips to Wal-Mart around this woman's petty issues.

Answer 9

I agree with the first poster as well. There is more here than you are saying. First of all, hmmmm, why are you shopping "one night, late" with your 4 year old? Second, what is a store employee doing with her hubby and a cell phone?

If you were being reported numerous times for "neglect" you would be receiving more than a phone call from Social Services. If they are indeed calling you after each "report" you should talk to the Social Worker at length to determine what is going on.

Forget approaching Walmart Management, if there isn't anything going on, Social Services must discuss at length with the complainent about what is going on.

Frankly if you're going shopping after 10 pm (which is late in my opinion) with small children, there is something "off" about that and perhaps the individual has a legitimate concern.

Answer 10

Some people have jobs and have no idea how to do them. That being said....Call the manager, explain the situation. If you feel you HAVE to go to Wal-mart, leave the children with hubby or a sitter. If you can't do that then you are opening the door for problems. Really, people can get tangled in red-tape simply because someone accuses them and it is very difficult to un-tangle once the ball is rolling.

Keep your cool, above all else. Do not give them reason to furthur their actions.

Good luck.

Peace.