Longtime Walmart greeter fired after hugging customers, sparking boycott calls
Kenny Schmitz, a Walmart employee of over 21 years in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, was dismissed after a shopper hugged him, prompting a community fundraiser and boycott threats.
After more than 21 years of service at the Manitowoc, Wisconsin Walmart, Kenneth Schmitz—known as Kenny—was terminated when a frequent shopper embraced him at the store entrance. The dismissal sparked a GoFundMe campaign organized by Elizabeth Neely, which amassed $8,050 of its $9,000 goal within two days, aiming to cover groceries, utilities and other necessities for Schmitz while he is unemployed. Community members have flooded social platforms with messages praising his friendly demeanor and announcing plans to boycott Walmart unless he is reinstated.
One patron highlighted that Schmitz routinely offered hugs to shoppers, including children, and described him as a “smiling, joyful face” at the doors. Walmart’s corporate policy defines prohibited contact as patting, grabbing, pinching, or any intentional touching deemed offensive, but the company has not provided a comment on the specific case. The controversy underscores tension between corporate conduct rules and local customer expectations.
Why it matters
The story highlights how corporate policies on employee conduct can clash with community expectations, potentially affecting brand reputation.
In this story
