Self-Checkout Machine Fired After Sexual Misconduct Claim
Self-Checkout Machine Fired After Sexual Misconduct Claim
LOS ANGELES—A self-checkout machine at Whole Foods is set to be demolished next month after co-worker, Tina Muñoz, filled a sexual harassment complaint. The machine offered no excuse and was immediately fired and charged with assault.
“It shocked all of us,” explained Chad Wilcox, the store’s manager. “We thought it was a decent machine. Sometimes it wouldn’t scan certain items and I’d have to punch in the numbers manually, but overall, it worked okay.”
At present, the machine has been roped off and its monitor covered with a brown paper bag. Some customers, however, say they still feel uneasy using the machine next to it.
“It’s just icky,” stated Linda Tipper, a 24-year-old human resources manager who always shops at Whole Foods. “It’s traumatizing. That machine is a sexual predator and it’s right there in the store. The fact that they haven’t destroyed it yet is disgusting.”
Muñoz, a Whole Foods cashier, filed the complaint after she claimed the machine was ogling her while she worked.
“I know it sounds weird,” Muñoz stated. “But that machine was obsessed with me.”
Whole Foods’ parent company, Amazon, issued a statement, saying that the company will “do everything in its power to stamp out workplace harassment and protect women and girls from the countless mechanical drones currently employed by the company.”
“We condemn the checkout machine’s actions in the strongest possible terms,” stated Amazon spokesperson, Chuck Ludlow. “Our employees deserve to work in a safe environment. Any machine acting out of line will be immediately incinerated.”
Muñoz’s attorney stated that her client is still recovering, but is glad that “justice was done.” She plans to return to work next month.