WHY I WAS FIRED: With you folks not knowing the personnel involved, I will attempt to outline the facts involved when I was fired at Food Fair Stores, the fourth largest food chain at that time, with over 400 stores. I was Advertising/Sales Promotion Manager for the Philadelphia branch with about 100 stores. My boss was Branch Manager Morris Marcus, bother of Executive Vice-President Meyer Marcus. Morris was as stupid as Meyer was brilliant, in so far as the food business. The company decided to open some low-cost markets called Pantry Pride. Morris' son, Aubie, who worked in my department, was placed in charge for advertising. He moved uptown to the corporate headquarters. They wanted to hire another person to work for Aubie but, he would be in my department physically. I objected because I knew they would hire someone who would be making more money than my personnel. I didn't care if they hired 100 people, as long as they were elsewhere. I spoke to Harry Pripstein, Vice-President over Buying and Advertising. He reported back that he had "taken care" of the situation. Looking back, I may have misread "taken care".
Anyway, shortly thereafter, the company hired an Efficiency Expert, Jerry Rosen, to streamline the company. When you hear "efficiency", the first thing that comes to mind is "firing". Naturally, Jerry was disliked. I had a meeting with the department and brought them up to date. I told everyone to anwer Jerry's questions, honestly and to the best of their knowledge but, not to volunteer any information. Further, I told them I did not believe anyone's job was in jeopardy. A couple of days later, Jerry appeared and we went over what he would be looking for. I introduced him to the team, and returned to my office. Several hours later, Jerry came back and reviewed what he had done. He then commenced to talk about something that had no connection with his job. This happened the next and the next. I started to like Jerry because he had a touch job, and he just wanted someone to talk to. I felt sorry for him and we became friends. I had forgotten about the dispute with my boss, but on a Monday Morning, Jerry came in and told me Morris was looking for some reason to fire me. He couldn't find anything, so was making things up.
I didn't have to be hit with a bat before I got the picture. As soon as Jerry left, I started making calls. That evening that was a farewell dinner for Larry Ellis, Head Bakery Merchandiser, who was retiring . That day, I drove to work with Mike Morosec and accompanied him to the restaurant where the dinner was taking place. We arrived a little late and quite a number were already there. One of the first persons I spotted was Dave Friedland, Vice-President for Store Operations. Dave always had something stupid to say or ask me to do. This night, he obviously ignored me. Then, Myer Marcus, who seldom recognized me at such functions, came out of his way to discuss the opening of a new store. I smelled a rat. I don't have to get soaked to the skin when I go out to know its raining. Dinner over, I' waiting for Mike next to an entrance door. The light is subdued. Meyer comes by, acknowledges me, and says 'good evening'. As Meyer goes through the doorway, a few feet behind comes Morris, well oiled from the free booze. He doesn't see me and blurts out What are we going to do with Dolan". I told you he was stupid. Before lunchtime the next day, I had an offer to go into business as a partner with my first boss out of high school, and an appointment at Weis Markets, a small but highly reputable chain with headquarters in Northampton PA.
On Wednesday, Morris' secretary came in and told me he wanted to see me Friday morning. The first thing the idiot told me was, that "uptown" they were not satisfied with my performance. I asked: "If they are not satisfied with my performance, why did I receive a ten percent raise last month? The answer: "I had to fight for it and that's why we are giving you an opportunity to resign." I replied: "You know that's not true and I'm not resigning. Furthermore, I'm going to walk out that door, knowing that I can walk down any street in this country and look anyone I meet, straight in the eye. Something you will never be able to do." I turned an walked out, to a tearful departure from my team. That told me everything I needed to know. I received a bunch of gratifying calls from store managers and merchandisers, expressing their disdain with the way I was treated. One merchandiser said: "If they can do that to you, they can do it to anybody." Another one said: "Don't worry Dolan, you'll live to pee on all their graves." I have. In a little over a year, the company filed for Chapter 8 Bankruptcy. Is that what they call poetic justice? I think so.
(copyright 2014 - Andrew M. Dolan)
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