A Morrisons manager who was dismissed for intervening against a violent serial shoplifter has expressed astonishment at the supportive protests outside the store, while accusing the supermarket's leadership of neglecting him. Sean Egan, 46, had dedicated 29 years to the Aldridge branch near Walsall before being terminated following an altercation with a prolific thief in December.
Background of the Incident
Mr. Egan was fired after a disciplinary hearing for breaching the company's deter-and-not-detain policy, even though the shoplifter became aggressive and spat at him. The employee, who started working for Morrisons at age 17, said he and his family are now struggling to survive, with his final paycheck arriving in January. The father-of-two added that moving on from the dismissal has been challenging after such deep investment in his work.
Community Backlash and Support
Local shoppers have hailed Mr. Egan as a hero. Dozens gathered outside the store on Saturday, demanding his reinstatement and vowing to boycott the supermarket. They held signs reading 'justice for Sean Egan' and urged Morrisons to 'do the right thing.' Mr. Egan, who has suffered from crippling anxiety since his sacking, described the support as 'incredible.'
He remarked: 'Wow. I'm genuinely blown away. The support I received yesterday was incredible. My community, my customers, my colleagues… you showed up. And those that didn't even know me, you showed up for me! That means more than I can put into words.' He noted that customers brought handwritten letters, signs, banners, and even sunscreen, adding that the genuine warmth gave him goosebumps all day.
However, he expressed disappointment that Morrisons' senior leadership team, who observed the protest from nearby, did not acknowledge him. 'I was disappointed not to receive a simple acknowledgement from the Senior Leadership Team at Morrisons who were nearby observing events today, particularly after everything I've given over the years. But I won't let that take away from what today was really about: gratitude, community, and people standing together.'
Financial and Personal Toll
The fallout left Mr. Egan penniless just three weeks before Christmas. He had transformed multiple underperforming stores into some of the most profitable in the West Midlands. The shoplifter, drug addict Daniel Kendall, had over 100 offences and regularly targeted the store. Kendall was sentenced to 46 weeks in prison for his latest crimes.
Mr. Egan told the Mail: 'I dedicated my whole life to Morrisons, but they did not even take my 29 years of service into account and just threw me under the bus for standing up for what is right.' He added: 'I don't think people understand what this really does to someone. Just 3 weeks before Christmas… I was asking myself: How am I going to give my kids the Christmas they deserve?'
He described his job as more than employment: 'It was my identity. My life. My purpose. 29 years of loyalty. And now… it's gone. Not only have I lost my career, I’ve never felt so unheard, unseen, and disposable in my entire life.'
Company Policy and Response
Morrisons' typical policy requires staff to escort shoplifters off the premises, but Mr. Egan said the thief became aggressive and spat on him. His 'instant reaction' was to fling his arm back, then grab the shoplifter's arm to prevent him from reaching into his bag, leading to the altercation. He felt pressure to protect the store's products and called police, but was still investigated.
A Morrisons spokesperson stated: 'We are continuing to take wide ranging action to address the threat of shoplifting or violence in our stores. The health and safety of all colleagues and customers is of paramount importance. We have very clear guidance, procedures and controls in place to protect our colleagues and customers from the risk of harm, which must be strictly followed. These include detailed procedures for handling shoplifting incidents, which are in place to protect both the colleague involved and surrounding colleagues and customers, and which seek to de-escalate and calmly control the situation. We will not ask colleagues to put themselves at risk.'
Meeting with CEO and Wider Context
Mr. Egan is expected to meet with Morrisons Chief Executive Rami Baitieh next week. In a letter to MP Wendy Morton, Mr. Baitieh said the company had refrained from detailed public comment as it would not be helpful for Mr. Egan. A spokesperson added that correct procedures were followed and 'subsequent reporting does not reflect the full facts of the situation.'
Mr. Egan is not alone in facing consequences for tackling shoplifters. Waitrose sacked a 17-year employee for confronting an Easter egg thief, and an Asda worker was dismissed after 25 years for trying to prevent a shoplifter from escaping. These cases highlight the tension between store policies and employee instincts to protect property and safety.
