Finding a job is no easy task, and this becomes even more challenging for those living with disabilities. One man with Down syndrome was recently fired from his job at a Wendy’s branch after having worked there for 20 years. His sister took to social media to tell the world what had happened.
Fired from Wendy’s after 20 years
52-year-old Dennis Peek has been a long-standing employee at a Wendy’s branch outside of Charlotte in North Carolina. He has worked there for 20 years, and he still calls it his dream job. That is until he was fired for not being able to do his job like everyone else. For you see, Dennis has Down syndrome. Heartbroken for her beloved brother, his sister, Cona Turner, took made an enraged post about Wendy’s ethics.
“My brother Dennis has worked at Wendy’s in Stanley for over 20 years and I am heart broken to say they have fired him!!!!!!!!” Wrote Cona in her Facebook Post, which has since gone viral with nearly 15,000 shares.
She went on to share how Dennis had been so excited to officially retire from Wendy’s. It was his life’s goal, and the management staff took that away from him by firing him. “His dream was to retire from there some day and he was looking forward to a huge retirement party, we may just give him that party and tell him he has retired because he does not understand being fired!!!!!!!”
Read: Mom wanted to give baby with Down syndrome to Foster care, so dad decides to raise his child all on his own
Sister to the rescue
Cona was outraged when she found out her brother had been fired. Naturally, she inquired what reasons they had for terminating his employment. He had worked there for 20 years, so she wanted to know why they decided to fire him now. “They told me was unable to perform the duties of a normal persons job!!!!,” she wrote on her post.
Wendy’s reasons were not good enough for Cona, who then stated that she was looking into the labor laws involving special needs people like her brother Dennis. Did Wendy’s actually have the right to terminate Dennis’s employment? “I am also looking into a wrongful termination of a special needs employee,” she wrote. “Wish me luck! I am very disappointed with the management at Wendy’s in Stanley, they have no idea how they hurt my brother!”
After the post received so much attention online, Wendy’s reached out to TODAY via email. They wrote an explanation that Dennis being fired was a “mistake”. “We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for our employees and customers,” the statement read. “This was a very unfortunate mistake and lapse in protocol …” read the email from Wendy’s. Not long after, Cona updated her post to add that Wendy’s has offered Dennis his job back. “My heart is overwhelmed by the support that you all have given my brother and myself!” She said. “Thank you all so much!!”
A change in heart
Everyone thought this was the end to the story. however, Cona made a second update to her Facebook post. She told those following that her brother had decided not to return to his job at Wendy’s in the end. It seems he wanted to take his retirement, as well as his big retirement party. “He will be having his BIG RETIREMENT party that he has been wanting,” Cona wrote. “Wendy’s has offered to help with expenses and anything else they can for his special day.”
As a show of good faith, Wendy’s made another statement. they said Dennis was welcome back should he change his mind about retirement. “Should Dennis retire and ever want to work again, we’ll also be happy to welcome him back,’ said Wendy’s.
Keep Reading: Victoria’s Secret Unveiled Its First Model With Down Syndrome
Sources
- “Wendy’s worker with down syndrome fired after 20 years on his ‘dream’ job.” Metro. Jessica Kwong. October 10, 2022.
- “North Carolina man with Down syndrome fired from Wendy’s after 20 years.” Today. Francesca Gariano. October 10, 2022.
- “Man with Down syndrome reinstated at Wendy’s after outrage over his dismissal after 20 years.” NY Post. Emily Lefroy. October 9, 2022.
