A 17-year-old high school senior in Washington, North Carolina says she was attacked while working at a Whistle Express Car Wash on Sept. 14. Ja’Neice Shamble says a woman from across the street believed Shamble and a coworker were mocking her, confronted them, and then hit her three times and dragged her to the ground. Shamble fought back and then chased the woman to recover her phone, which had fallen and been taken during the scuffle.
The next day, Shamble filed misdemeanor charges against the woman. She also lost her job. Whistle Express fired her that same day, saying she should have called 911 instead of pursuing the woman. Shamble says the business phones were not working, and she says no one at the business stepped in to help her during the attack. The woman accused in the case is due in court Oct. 12.
The story is sparking a bigger conversation about what employees owe an employer when they are attacked on the job, what employers owe workers in return, and where self-defense ends and retaliation begins. It is also a reminder for younger workers and their families to know what to do if a shift turns dangerous. So we want to hear from you: should an employee ever be fired for how they respond to being attacked at work? Tell us in the comments.
