“Is A Cup Worth Your Job?“: Target Employees Across The US Get Sacked Over Stanley Cups

Target has sacked a long-time employee and several others across the US for purchasing special-edition Stanley cups, citing a policy against workers using their position to gain an unfair advantage when buying merchandise. Catherine Carter, who has worked for the American retail giant for 19 years at one of its stores near Miami, Florida, USA, revealed that she had “never been written up, never called out, [and] never been late.”

Highlights

Target has sacked several workers across the US for purchasing special-edition Stanley cups
Target employees reported a policy against using their positions for unfair merchandise advantage
Workers unaware of Target's fairness policy, offered to return cups but got fired.

However, her squeaky clean almost two decades of work came to a brutal ending on January 3 when she stopped by her store’s Starbucks café while on break, where she said a barista asked her if she wanted to buy one of the exclusive Starbucks X Stanley mugs.

Target has sacked several workers across the US for purchasing special-edition Stanley cups

“Is A Cup Worth Your Job?“: Target Employees Across The US Get Sacked Over Stanley Cups

Image credits: kaitlinsondae

Catherine told Business Insider (BI): “My mama passed from breast cancer, so I always try to get as much pink as I can.” The loyal employee also said that her managers were present during the transaction and raised no objection.

Nevertheless, Catherine ended up being fired the following week, thanks to that pink stainless steel insulated cup, which retailed for $49.95, BI reported.

The terminated worker was just one of many others across the country who were sacked by Target in January after purchasing special-edition Stanley Quencher mugs.

Starbucks and Target released limited edition Stanley cups for the so-called “Galentine’s Collection” earlier this month. Upon its release, hundreds of people were filming while waiting to buy a cup in extensively long lines, with some even starting the wait from 3 A.M.

Seven other employees reported a policy against using their positions for unfair merchandise advantage, especially for high-demand items like Pokémon cards and PlayStation consoles.

Three separate workers revealed that they had offered to return the doomed cup when they were informed of the problem, only to see their offers declined.

Target employees reported a policy against using their positions for unfair merchandise advantage

“Is A Cup Worth Your Job?“: Target Employees Across The US Get Sacked Over Stanley Cups

Image credits: Shabaz Usmani

Like most retailers, Target is an at-will employer, which means it may terminate a worker’s employment at any time for any reason, or no reason at all, as per BI.

Moreover, the retailer’s employees have reportedly said that they were either unaware of the company rule’s existence or that they did not realize they violated the rule when they purchased one of the cups.

In two cases, workers admitted they had bought a Stanley tumbler that was improperly set aside by a colleague, whereas in two other situations, employees had bought Quenchers that hadn’t been properly “re-shopped” (returned to the correct location on the sales floor) after online orders were canceled, BI reported.

Two other incidents, which included Catherine’s case, involved the worker’s managers either witnessing or otherwise expressly approving their purchases.

Starbucks and Target Released Limited Edition Stanley cups for the so-called “Galentine’s Collection” earlier this month

“Is A Cup Worth Your Job?“: Target Employees Across The US Get Sacked Over Stanley Cups

Image credits: kaitlinsondae

welp I got fired from target for buying the stanley cup while working 🤭
love working double my schedule constantly, not calling out, to be terminated over a cup bc I was unaware of the policy
Princess Peach still sipping tho 💖 pic.twitter.com/jv3uxqVu9L
— Sunay👑 (@PrincessSunay) January 11, 2024

One Starbucks employee in Maryland, USA, never even bought a cup but confessed she was now facing termination for allowing one to be sold before the official release date, BI reported.

None of the seven employees BI spoke to said they expected the Stanly product could end up costing them their jobs. “I just don’t think they’re doing right,” Catherine said of Target. “I mean, for a cup. Come on, a cup.”

Other stories echoing Catherine’s experience have surfaced on a Target subreddit, with one Reddit user recalling having a conversation with a coworker about shifts not being picked up, only to find out that several people had been fired.

They wrote: “They then informed me that four or five of our fellow coworkers were also just fired for purchasing Starbucks X Stanley’s. I guess they hid them and then purchased them.

“Remember team: Is a cup really worth your job?”

“They are customers, too,” a reader argued

“Is A Cup Worth Your Job?“: Target Employees Across The US Get Sacked Over Stanley Cups

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What do you think ?

POST

The Original Bruno 10 months ago (edited)

What do Target employees have in common with the Toronto Maple Leafs? They can't buy a Stanley Cup. (The Stanley Cup is the name of the NHL [hockey] championship. The Maple Leafs are to hockey what the Cubs were to baseball.)

30points

Anonymous Anomaly 10 months ago

Man that's pretty clever 😂 I like it!

9points

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Upstaged75 10 months ago

That's one of the dumbest things I've ever heard. To fire a long time employee with an excellent service record over a cup?? And then they probably say "no one wants to work".

28points

Ken Beattie 10 months ago

I'd get it if they were abusing their position. eg: buying out dozens of them and then reselling them on ebay at inflated prices. But if it's buying one cup for their own personal use it's pretty ridiculous.

4points

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roddy 10 months ago

What is this obsession over this brand of cups? Does the water taste different?

20points

Duuuuuuude 10 months ago

I am in construction and have used Stanley thermoses for years. They are amazing at maintaining temperature and very durable. The recent fad may have started because of a car fire, but those of us who have used them for years, those who they were designed for, have always known. (Having said that, I'm not stand in a line at 3 am for one).

10points

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Amelia Jade 10 months ago (edited)

It's ridiculous. You can find much, MUCH, cheaper versions that are no name brand that work just as well. I bought a cheap no name brand for my daughter to take iced coffee on her drive to work. We live in the desert. She'd leave it in her car and when she'd come out after her shift, it would still be cold, with ice. And we didn't have to pay $50 for it. It was like a $12 cup--a taller one. It is just the trendy thing right not to have THIS brand and everyone has to be part of it. It also doesn't make sense to me to collect them. ??

1point

MP 10 months ago

I don’t have one but I think they’re popular because they’re metal and insulated so they’re good at holding the temperature and the bottom is small so it fits in a cup holder. I’m pretty sure it’s also half a gallon so it’s the perfect size. I use a glass half gallon bottle and I like it because it has a handle on top so it’s easy to carry but I’d be interested in a Stanley. I think they’re also aesthetically pleasing and just popular, so people go for cute name brand stuff.

1point

AwesomeLeoWife 10 months ago

They are the OG dude. Have you lived under a rock?

-3points

Rostit.. . 10 months ago

I look forward to when people have piles of these and cant give them away.

9points

Wintermute 10 months ago

I got one out of our work lost and found (after the 30 day disposal period) and THEN found out later that they were popular. When I started pricing it I realized that if I'd sold it when I got it I could have made $50 resale, but 2 months later when I got around to it, 19.99. Apparently the color was already passe after just a few months. Absurd.

7points

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Elisabeth Normoyle 10 months ago

* The Beanie Babies of 2024‼️🤮

4points

E V 10 months ago

They'll be at Goodwill in 5 years for $15. 😆

0points

MP 10 months ago

They’re saying it’s just a cup but we all know how people are about Stanley’s and the fact that you could profit from a limited edition type. Just like Pokémon cards. If the employees are buying them on the clock or putting them aside for themselves, they do have an unfair advantage.

7points

Sarah Ellison 10 months ago

I agree. The key thing in the story is it sounds like ALL of the affected employees bought the cups while working or specifically hid them to purchase later. That's not fair to customers who wait in line for hours to buy it.

1point

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Cassie 10 months ago

I thought this was going to be about employees buying a bunch to resell or buying more than the customer limit for their family. No, it's just somebody buying a damn cup. This is stupid.

6points

LadyManx 10 months ago

Every time I go into Target (which is not that often) and purchase something, they ask me if I'd like their charge card. You know Target must make a bundle off them. I ask them if they have a union, yet. When they say no, I say," Well, as that's in some sense, free money for Target that is not passed to the employees, I'll pass." If I see management nearby, I make sure to say, quite loudly and clearly. Don't get retail credit cards where are no unions. Encourage unionization for retail workers so they can get some of the benefits.

6points

Gary 10 months ago

That Americans believed that ice cubes would still be ice cubes after a car was on fire then put out and presumably time had to pass before they could get to the car just beggers belief. Either way its just an insulated cup. I saw a video on youtube about it, its just insane, rich mums with walls of adult sippy cups. Pathetic.

4points

PeepPeep the duck 10 months ago

I can’t believe that’s why they are so famous

0points

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Rahul Pawa 10 months ago

Firing employees outright seems harsh. Why not make them return the cups and give a written warning?

4points

Stacy Jones 10 months ago

I wish Catherine lived in my area, I would hire her in a hot second. Target's loss will be someone else's gain!

3points

maxiefav. 10 months ago

Another man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

0points

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tuzdayschild 10 months ago

Just want to say, for the record, I had mine before they went stupid. I was tired of my big cups spilling in my car. It was big, thermal, and fit in the cup holder.

2points

Phil Vaive 10 months ago

I'm not one to stand up for corporations - like, EVER - but it sounds like these employees all broke a common rule in retail that's in place for a reason. They either purchased these mugs while on the clock (which is generally not allowed) or set them aside and purchased them later (also generally not allowed). These rules are in place to prevent staff from purchasing larger quantities of high demand items and re-selling them, when they're no longer available, at a huge markup. Granted, a few of the employees said they offered to return the mugs and were denied, but still, places like Target are just going to say "policy is policy".

2points

Phil Vaive 10 months ago

It's like getting a speeding ticket but then saying "I didn't know what the speed limit there was". That's your fault, they aren't going to tear up the ticket just because you plead ignorance.

0points

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FABULOUS1 10 months ago

I dont have one of these cups, but everyone I know who has them says their less expensive cups kept drinks hot or cold longer. That is really what people should be looking for but I guess since you know the cup can survive a fire never mind the other important aspects of it. I would never give 50 for a cup,.

2points

Glitcher 10 months ago

I'm so glad I quit working at Target before they got to this level of petty. Target showing how much value they really place on their employees.

2points

Drsmotch 10 months ago

This is the kind of c**p you end up with when you continually vote for the party that guts labour laws and does nothing to help people.

2points

Mint Sauce 10 months ago

This sadly, is the world we live in when people somehow think that a piece of dumb merchandise is worth obsessing over. Gorilla's must be looking at us thinking "They're so f*****g stupid, they'll be extinct soon. Just wait a bit longer.....".

2points

Mikel 10 months ago

i wouldnt want it free

2points

María Hermida 10 months ago

What's so special about these stupid cups???

2points

maxiefav. 10 months ago

Just cuz she bought a cup that doesn’t mean you need to fire her. She had a reason to buy it as well, in honor of her mom.

1point

Kim Kermes 10 months ago

Well, c**p. Another store I don't want to shop at. Sounds like a class action suit to me.

1point

JP Purves 10 months ago

Could corporate America get any worse? Sure terminate a long-time, hardworking employee over a small breach in their ridiculous rules. What about the whine about no one wanting to work these days. This is just one reason among many!

1point

E V 10 months ago

And they wonder why they can't hire people. I don't know why people want them. They're oversized and leak. Get a water bottle. It travels better. If they're off they clock, why can't they make a purchase. Or why couldn't you have sent a notice out to your employees? Target is getting terrible in the first place with half the store being treated like Fort Knox. I'm buying those items somewhere else where I don't have to wait for 10 minutes.

1point

Boo-Urns 10 months ago

Only dumb, social-media-stunted people would make such a big deal over a CUP.

1point

Rayne OfSalt 10 months ago

While most businesses wish there was, there's no such thing as an "at-will employer". Multiple states in the US have "at-will" employment laws, but a company cannot override the law in states that do not have those laws.

1point

RiceRiceBaby 929 10 months ago

I saw it on tik tok, got to hop on the bandwagon 🙄

1point

Steve Hall 10 months ago

There was another reason to fire each of these people. The use of obscure rules to terminate people is a very old trick. Also, why rush to buy this item when you will find it for $2 at a garage sale this summer.

1point

V Noe 10 months ago

Meanwhile, my company has been "rewarding" employees with this brand / type of cup (in the god-awfullest colors) for two years and I have given every single one away to family.

1point

StumblingThroughLife 10 months ago

The only Stanley brand I've heard of, manufactures tools. Is it the same company? Stupid though, over an (equally stupidly priced) cup.

1point

Jennifer Brown 10 months ago

WTF is a Stanley Cup?

0points

Margaret Shannon 10 months ago

FWIW, I have a Stanley thermos which I inherited from my dear mother. I rinse it in hot water to warm it up inside, then fill with boiling water and seal. That water remains at boiling at least twelve hours and very hot for more than 24. If these cups are made to the same standard, they are truly excellent and probably worth the expense.

0points

AwesomeLeoWife 10 months ago

Ignorance is no excuse to break the law. Read your company policies people!

0points

Simba 10 months ago

I read on a news site recently that according to "experts", if you constantly drink through a straw (e.g. a Stanley cup), you'll expedite the formation of permanent wrinkles around your lips/mouth area quickly. The statement is confirmed by many dermatologists as well.

0points

AG 10 months ago

I think I'm on Team Target here. Resellers are a huge problem. They buy up all the hot ticket items and price gouge. $1000+ for a $500 PS5, $1000+ for some $200 shoes, I just checked $138 for a $49 cup. I wouldn't mind it if they were buying the stuff for themself but if it ends up on the reseller sites for three times the original price, it's a problem.

0points

Barong 10 months ago (edited)

I get it. It’s not that they were fired for purchasing a mug, it’s that they violated explicit company policy and rules written in the employee handbook. The final decision was likely made at store level not corporate so I’m sure there were other considerations or details about this or the employee, used to justify the terminations. Were they told or was something posted? Was the employee probational? Otherwise they could be liable for a wrongful termination case. “Target policy prohibits employees from using their status as employees “to gain an unfair advantage over guests when it comes to purchasing merchandise”, according to a company handbook obtained by Business Insider. It also says employees cannot be working when they buy Target merchandise and cannot buy items that are promotional or in high demand.” If as claimed a supervisor approved of an employee violating such a rule they should have the approval in writing. Without, it’s impossible to take a side on this accusation.

0points

Fellfromthemoon 10 months ago

I would understand this rule as "do not buy all the cups /PlayStation consoles / Pokémon cards and sell it on Amazon or Ebay with a double mark-up". That would qualify as an unfair advantage. Buying one item for personal use at full price is not exatly abuse of power. Or, one may say that any employee of Target shall not buy anything in Target.

2points

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POST

The Original Bruno 10 months ago (edited)

30points

Anonymous Anomaly 10 months ago

Man that's pretty clever 😂 I like it!

9points

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Upstaged75 10 months ago

That's one of the dumbest things I've ever heard. To fire a long time employee with an excellent service record over a cup?? And then they probably say "no one wants to work".

28points

Ken Beattie 10 months ago

4points

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roddy 10 months ago

What is this obsession over this brand of cups? Does the water taste different?

20points

Duuuuuuude 10 months ago

10points

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Amelia Jade 10 months ago (edited)

1point

MP 10 months ago

1point

AwesomeLeoWife 10 months ago

They are the OG dude. Have you lived under a rock?

-3points

Rostit.. . 10 months ago

I look forward to when people have piles of these and cant give them away.

9points

Wintermute 10 months ago

7points

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Elisabeth Normoyle 10 months ago

* The Beanie Babies of 2024‼️🤮

4points

E V 10 months ago

They'll be at Goodwill in 5 years for $15. 😆

0points

MP 10 months ago

7points

Sarah Ellison 10 months ago

1point

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Cassie 10 months ago

I thought this was going to be about employees buying a bunch to resell or buying more than the customer limit for their family. No, it's just somebody buying a damn cup. This is stupid.

6points

LadyManx 10 months ago

6points

Gary 10 months ago

4points

PeepPeep the duck 10 months ago

I can’t believe that’s why they are so famous

0points

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Rahul Pawa 10 months ago

Firing employees outright seems harsh. Why not make them return the cups and give a written warning?

4points

Stacy Jones 10 months ago

I wish Catherine lived in my area, I would hire her in a hot second. Target's loss will be someone else's gain!

3points

maxiefav. 10 months ago

Another man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

0points

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tuzdayschild 10 months ago

Just want to say, for the record, I had mine before they went stupid. I was tired of my big cups spilling in my car. It was big, thermal, and fit in the cup holder.

2points

Phil Vaive 10 months ago

2points

Phil Vaive 10 months ago

It's like getting a speeding ticket but then saying "I didn't know what the speed limit there was". That's your fault, they aren't going to tear up the ticket just because you plead ignorance.

0points

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FABULOUS1 10 months ago

2points

Glitcher 10 months ago

I'm so glad I quit working at Target before they got to this level of petty. Target showing how much value they really place on their employees.

2points

Drsmotch 10 months ago

This is the kind of c**p you end up with when you continually vote for the party that guts labour laws and does nothing to help people.

2points

Mint Sauce 10 months ago

2points

Mikel 10 months ago

i wouldnt want it free

2points

María Hermida 10 months ago

What's so special about these stupid cups???

2points

maxiefav. 10 months ago

Just cuz she bought a cup that doesn’t mean you need to fire her. She had a reason to buy it as well, in honor of her mom.

1point

Kim Kermes 10 months ago

Well, c**p. Another store I don't want to shop at. Sounds like a class action suit to me.

1point

JP Purves 10 months ago

1point

E V 10 months ago

1point

Boo-Urns 10 months ago

Only dumb, social-media-stunted people would make such a big deal over a CUP.

1point

Rayne OfSalt 10 months ago

1point

RiceRiceBaby 929 10 months ago

I saw it on tik tok, got to hop on the bandwagon 🙄

1point

Steve Hall 10 months ago

1point

V Noe 10 months ago

Meanwhile, my company has been "rewarding" employees with this brand / type of cup (in the god-awfullest colors) for two years and I have given every single one away to family.

1point

StumblingThroughLife 10 months ago

The only Stanley brand I've heard of, manufactures tools. Is it the same company? Stupid though, over an (equally stupidly priced) cup.

1point

Jennifer Brown 10 months ago

WTF is a Stanley Cup?

0points

Margaret Shannon 10 months ago

0points

AwesomeLeoWife 10 months ago

Ignorance is no excuse to break the law. Read your company policies people!

0points

Simba 10 months ago

0points

AG 10 months ago

0points

Barong 10 months ago (edited)

0points

Fellfromthemoon 10 months ago

2points

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“Is A Cup Worth Your Job?“: Target Employees Across The US Get Sacked Over Stanley Cups

Target has sacked several workers across the US for purchasing special-edition Stanley cups

Target employees reported a policy against using their positions for unfair merchandise advantage

Starbucks and Target Released Limited Edition Stanley cups for the so-called “Galentine’s Collection” earlier this month

“They are customers, too,” a reader argued

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