A Days Inn employee was interviewed by The Washington Post about wages and subsequently left or lost her job. The article was about the pending 25-cent wage increase. Days Inn and other employers, such as Wal-Mart, have promised small increases in hourly wages, particularly following protests from Fight for $15 and other organizations. 

Although Shanna Tippen said the increase would be helpful, but in the long-run, it was "not much difference" except for buying diapers: "The diapers, they're $24.98 at Wal-Mart." The article also quoted the Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Days Inn manager, Herry Patel, about the increase: "[The referendum] was bad.  Bad for Arkansas. Everybody wants free money in Pine Bluff."

After the story was published, Patel called the reporter to dispute the quotation, and Tippen called to say she was fired: "He said I was stupid and dumb for talking to [The Post]. . . . He said it was wrong for me to talk to you."  

Patel denied terminating Tippen. Rather, he said, "She walked out herself. I didn't fire her." Tippen reiterated her story to the Post author.

Wyndham, the Days Inn's operator, gave this statement to the Post:

"...while we do not control or oversee staffing decisions at our franchised locations, we do require that each independently owned and operated hotel comply with all local, state and federal laws, especially as it relates to employment practices. While we can't speak to the specifics of this or any particular situation at a franchised location, please know that ours is an organization which values and respects the contributions of all associates and that we encourage each of our franchisees to do the same."

Image source.

Discussion Starters: 

• Read more about the situation. Which version of the story do you believe?
• Did the employee make the wrong decision by talking to the press? She's out of a job now and desperately needs one.