A worker at the Edina, Minnesota branch of JoAnn Fabrics has claimed that he was terminated from his position following an incident where he used the intercom to address customers in a TikTok video that has since gone viral.
The video, shared by TikTok user Nickolas Cruiser (@nickolascruiser) on November 22nd, captures him holding the intercom while dressed in a JoAnn Fabrics uniform. In a lighthearted manner, he jokingly requests “K-mart shoppers” to promptly vacate the premises.
“If you happen to still be present here, it implies that you are trespassing, which is a violation of federal law. It’s important to note that your mother will not approve of this. Therefore, I kindly request you to leave immediately,” he remarks through the intercom. “And if you choose to disregard my request, be aware that I, being the security personnel in charge, will take forceful action against those who are not permitted to be inside this establishment.”
The words displayed on the screen say, “Three elderly ladies collectively lodged complaints to my manager, resulting in me being instructed not to report for work in the morning.”
In the accompanying caption, Cruiser playfully pleads for his job to be reinstated, expressing, “I feel genuinely saddened by your decision to terminate my employment. If given another chance, I assure you that I will perform my duties diligently. I solemnly promise to refrain from raising my voice towards your esteemed elderly clientele, making alarming statements like ‘I’m COMING TO GET THEM,’ or engaging in any other similarly disconcerting behavior :(((((.”
Since its posting on November 23rd, the video has gained over a million views. Commenters have voiced their dissatisfaction, suggesting that older customers fail to grasp the humor of the younger generations.
“Older individuals often claim that millennials and Gen Zs lack a sense of humor, yet they readily orchestrate someone’s dismissal over a mere joke lol,” one user remarked.
“I believe there should be a universal understanding that once the official closing time has passed, the conventional rules of customer service no longer apply,” another user stated.
“As a dedicated employee of Joann’s for over five years, I will now have this video in mind every night during closing. Hopefully, my intrusive thoughts won’t prevail,” joked a third individual.
Nevertheless, some individuals highlighted the fact that JoAnn Fabrics attracts an older customer base, indicating that the joke may have caused alarm among them.
“Joannes is definitely not the appropriate setting for such behavior,” remarked one commenter.
“I’m skeptical about whether you actually did this while customers were present in the store…and in today’s world, is this even a joke? Considering the crazy individuals out there engaging in unpredictable actions, it’s difficult to discern,” wrote another concerned viewer.
The Daily Dot attempted to contact Cruiser by leaving a comment on TikTok and also reached out to JoAnn Fabrics via email.