The Official Seattle Area Chat Thread (apartment, rentals, condo)

[rmkiefer07]

I think sleep will come easy tonight! I'm glad the "AC" is back on!

[Sunnydee]

Jim Nicholson, a bank teller for Key Bank in Seattle, got fired because he caught a bank robber attempting to rob his bank. The robber has a past history of criminal activity, Seattle is in the top ten of states with the most bank robberies, no one got injured, but this clean cut, well-spoken, all American guy got fired for being a hero. I really don't understand this kind of thinking, so I emailed Anne Foster of Key Bank and told her that I will not be doing any banking with Key Bank. What is our world coming to when a guy gets fired for stopping a bank robbery and catching a criminal? Outrageous!

Are the people in Seattle contacting Key Bank and expressing their outrage, is it just business as usual, or what's the feeling locally?


http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,536361,00.html

Seattle Bank Teller Loses Job After Thwarting Heist - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com

A Seattle bank teller learned that lesson the hard way last week when he thwarted a would-be robbery — and got fired for bucking company policy.

Jim Nicholson was working at a Key Bank branch on Tuesdaywhen a man wearing a beanie cap, dark clothing and sunglasses entered the bank and demanded money. That's when instinct overwhelmed him.

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[LongDawson]

Banks offer notoriously low pay. This guy Jim Nicholson should be able to find a much better job now that he has this on his record. Seriously...

[cobolt]

Key Bank was probably miffed because he didn't "follow company policy." He went above and beyond the call of duty. If you ask me, Jim Nicholson is too good for Key Bank. He'll have other job offers, no doubt, and a bright future. God bless him.

[Alanboy395]

As a bank teller myself on the east coast, I can testify Nicholson did exactly what the big national banks do NOT want you to do in case of robbery. While i wouldn't have done what he did, I give him all the credit in the world for going beyond the call of duty. I really think he shouldnt have been fired, I mean this guy risks his life to protect YOUR money that aint his and his reward is the pink slip?

[kilgore trout]

Anyone know why crowds have been gathered at Four Seasons in the morning and afternoon? There is a bus parked in front, and several bike cops around as well.

I don't see anything in the news, but it looked like 75-100 people outside the entrance yesterday.

kt

[Radnor]

Maybe the Barcelona FC is staying there for their upcoming game?

[LongDawson]

My brother used to work at Pike Place in one of the fish vendor stall things. Some guy off the street comes up and says "I'm gonna take crab!" and my brother said "No you have to pay for crab" and the guy said "I'M GONNA TAKE CRAB!" and picked one up and started walking away. My brother gave the guy a double-leg takedown and held him so police could come. Pretty good family story. These days I don't think anyone would dream of getting within a few feet of most beggars around there. I hope Jim Nicholson gets a lot of mileage out of this one. He should collect the newspaper clippings. His grandkids will hear about it.

[rmkiefer07]

I don't know whether he should be fired, but a point to be considered:

What if the robber did have a gun? And what if the teller's actions provoked him to use it? What if innocents in the vicinity were shot and/or killed because of the decision the teller made? What would every one think of the teller's actions then?

In reflecting on this policy by the banks (and I believe our law enforcement agencies would agree), it is intended to protect not just the employees, but the customers, and other by-standers. While what Jim Nicholson did was heroic (and in hindsight admirable - who doesn't like to see the bad guy get his due), it was quite foolish and wreckless in my opinion. We're all lucky it was only his job that was lost and not a life.

[MichaelinWA]

He also risked the lives of his coworkers and customers. And the money is insured - he wasn't really protecting anything. While his actions were reckless, it's clear that his heart (if not his head) was in the right place. I would have preferred to see him disciplined in some way, but not fired.

Teller jobs are easy to get, though. He'll enjoy his 15 minutes of fame and get a new employer quickly enough.

Originally Posted by Alanboy395

I really think he shouldnt have been fired, I mean this guy risks his life to protect YOUR money that aint his and his reward is the pink slip?