Warning: Declaration of plugin_findreplace::addPluginSubMenu() should be compatible with mijnpress_plugin_framework::addPluginSubMenu($title, $function, $file, $capability = 10, $where = 'plugins.ph...') in /home/pg4b1yzvrqqo/domains/test.drivingsalesnews.com/html/wp-content/plugins/find-replace/find_replace.php on line 17

Warning: Declaration of plugin_findreplace::addPluginContent($links, $file) should be compatible with mijnpress_plugin_framework::addPluginContent($filename, $links, $file, $config_url = NULL) in /home/pg4b1yzvrqqo/domains/test.drivingsalesnews.com/html/wp-content/plugins/find-replace/find_replace.php on line 17
Dealer Fires Employee Over Article | DrivingSales News

Dealer Fires Salesmen After Reading Article About His Criminal Past And Rehabilitation

June 19, 2015 3 Comments

Lowery Brothers Chrysler Jeep in Syracuse, New York wanted to hire a new salesman. They interviewed and found a candidate. His resume glowed for their open sales position. The man seeking the job had an educational background, which included an associate degree in Business from Bryant & Stratton College, and a background in sales. It seemed to be a great fit for both parities. In the end, the Lowery Brothers store hired Quante Wright. Wright would later point out that it was his “dream job.” Then, about one week later, it all fell apart. The problem is, the dealership didn’t know enough about Wright’s past. They knew so little that when a new article came out detailing that criminal past, they let him go.

Wright spent nearly six years in a federal prison for selling drugs, possessing drugs and even attempted murder. When Wright was hired, he gave his resume to the interviewer at the dealership and wasn’t asked to fill out an application until after he was hired. He disclosed his past criminal actions on the application, however the dealer reportedly didn’t fully grasp what his descriptions of his convictions meant. However, once Syracuse.com ran an article detailing his successful transition back into society, the dealership found out and let him go.

A report shows that Wright came into work on what was to be his last day, sold a 2015 Jeep Cherokee and was then fired. After being fired Wright didn’t go directly back to the halfway house where he was living. Instead he went to a state office to try to file a complaint against the dealer. He was reported for “escape,” and is in the will be in Onondaga County jail for five days for violating his probation.

The firing of Wright has led a barrage of attention for the Chrysler store in Syracuse. Most of that attention is negative. On the dealership Facebook page, many are calling for the rehiring of Wright or saying they won’t buy from the Lowery brothers store. There have been no responses to negative Facebook comments on the dealership Facebook account. This incident could blow over, or it could damage the dealer’s digital reputation, however, in their shoes, how would you handle this situation?

What do you make of this incident? Should Wright have told the dealer about his criminal past in the interview, or is it the responsibility of a business to figure out the backgrounds of potential employees? Finally, do you think that this dealer is smart to stay quiet or needs to speak out and respond to protect their reputation?

About the Author:

The DrivingSales News team is dedicated to breaking the relevant and the tough stories affecting car dealers. Have questions for DrivingSales News? Reach the team at news@drivingsales.com.

    Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/pg4b1yzvrqqo/domains/test.drivingsalesnews.com/html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 399
    T W

    This is a tough one. To be fair, they should have been more thorough in the hiring process. As a dealership where their employees are engaging with the public, they have a responsibility for the safety of their customers. I do not believe hiring this man for that position was in the dealership’s best interest. Look at the flip side, what if a customer pushed him to the breaking point (which is very possible in this industry) and he again went to the degree of attempted murder. At that point, the dealership would have a huge question looming over them in the manner of, “You knew he had a history of being dangerous, why would you hire him?” With that said, they had already hired him. Not only had they already hired him, they had received positive press for doing so. At that point, you have to recognize your mistake in not being thorough, and bite the bullet and give the guy a go. While you have a responsibility to the public’s safety, now you and everyone in the city were just alerted to this man’s history and they all know what he was capable of previously. I think at that point you just run with it.

    Dave Martinson
    Dave Martinson

    You make some good points and you aren’t alone. There are a lot of people both calling for the dealership to rehire Mr. Wright as well as some saying they will buy a car from him wherever he ends up. He has garnered some strong online support.

    H L Edington

    Paid his debt to society – Lowery needs to look at the other side of the story and give this guy an opportunity to prove his worth. He has taken courses and worked to better himself. They, or some dealer should give him a chance.