Michele Lindgren #3277791.

October 7, 2023
57904 N East Roza Rd.
Benton City, WA. 99320

Dollar General
ATTN: Human Resources – Urgent

Re: Show of cause to be included with file submitted by Loss Prevention

To whom it concerns,

Yesterday I was called in to the office to speak with Jennifer our DM. Upon entering, I was shown my
name and EID, address and asked if this information was correct. I was then informed that Kevin (LP)
was on the phone with us. We were joined by SM Michelle.

Kevin began speaking about shrink asked me if I understood what it was; I explained that I did, he went
on to ask about deposits not made when Michelle was on vacation. I had written a statement previously
explaining why I was unable to leave the store to make the deposits. At which point, I was asked why I
didn’t when I was off shift, after hours, I explained that banks were closed at those times. Kevin then
asked why I hadn’t put them in drop box, I responded that I was not aware that was acceptable- had I
known I most certainly would have used it. What I didn’t understand was when DM was calling me on
her vacation to find out about SMART tasks needing to be completed why she didn’t mention the
deposit issue. They were during the same days. I also had a brand-new SA training, one key holder quit
and deliveries coming in. Things were chaotic.

So, at any rate, Kevin then moved on to another incident that happened September 18th regarding
deposit being short $109.77 and proceeded to have Jennifer playback video of cash office and that I had
funds in separate piles, counted out drawer and that one pile had a $100 bill plus other bill. The other
pile I had placed in clear drop envelope. When I got up to take the drawers back to safe, I grabbed the
pile of cash and receipt tape not in envelope (most likely due to there not being anymore in the office)
and the other envelope placed on drawers then headed out of office. Both Jennifer and Kevin stated
that it took me an unusual amount of time to get back to the safe and that I didn’t turn when I left the
office. They stated that I went straight back, but I clearly did pivot to turn and quite often have to place
drawers down on chair near breakroom door due to not being able to open it with the drawers in hand.
I have dropped the drawers before and since then I take extra care to not do it again. Once I open the
door, I use my foot to hold open the door and lean over to grab the drawers then head out to safe. Both
kept asking me what happened to the cash not in the envelope that had accounting paperwork with it,
claiming it wasn’t in my hand when I got to the safe. But it was there, they finally said OKAY there’s the
paperwork but where is the cash? On the video, it can not be clearly seen but I did reach over to grab
clear sleeve and it shows that I am rustling with it to put papers in. I often wrap receipt printouts around
the cash to make it easier to slide into the sleeve. There would be no need or reason to put just
paperwork into a sleeve without cash in to the safe. Yet they continued to ask what happened to the
$109.77, I explained that I didn’t know where it went. But then video shows that I placed it in to bottom
safe instead of top safe. The informed me of how I had left the cash unsecured. Granted it was not in
the top safe but most certainly was in the safe with door closed. I understand that others can gain
access to the safe both top and bottom. If access by others be concern enough to hold one person
accountable then there is a problem. In the last 2 months two employees quit (one with notice the
other without) neither one of those sets of keys have been turned in and both these employees have the
combinations to the safe as well as to security system. I am not suggesting that they took anything just
pointing out that securing assets of the company seems only to be a concern with my situation and the
stores vulnerability is secondary. I did not take the money- I am many things but a thief I am not.

As for my lack of policy and procedure knowledge – I started working in June of this year and a simple
check of CBL’s completed should clarify why I was unaware of proper procedures. My training did not
occur as it is with the new hires coming in now. I have picked up things as I go, I am not suggesting my
lack of training is an excuse for anything just to give a perspective as to why my actions did not live up to
expected standards. Also, it is common practice in our store that one person counts out deposits and
drawers and seldom are transactions recorded recording voids, refunds on form sheet. Admittedly, I did
have office door open into breakroom but the air circulation is terrible and the office gets quite warm
during summer. It is also recommended to have all cameras of surveillance be functional to avoid gaps in
observations for everyone’s benefit.
Back to conversation with Kevin, Michelle and Jennifer. Kevin said he needed to me to write out my
explanation for missing money. He stated that he was not forcing me but asking me to do so, but did not
indicate that I needed to prepare a defense. I wrote out a brief blurb, figured that I would be receiving
a write up. However once, Jennifer had my letter in hand, Kevin informed me that I was suspended and
that he would forward everything to human resources for a decision. Then asked me to leave and
Michelle would let me know when or if I would be able to return. He did not inform me of a contact
should I need to speak to someone, he failed to mention the status of time whether missing hours would
be with or without pay.

Throughout the ‘interview’ it was apparent that I was not being given an unbiased ear and the
predetermined opinion of my guilt far outweighed any possibility that there could be any other
explanation.

I love working with Michelle and our team, I step up to assist whenever needed, but having my integrity
questioned without so much as a brief moment of consideration that I hadn’t done it leads me to believe
employees are far less valued and certainly not as protected as blatant shoplifters. So it is with this
statement of events, reasons and conclusions that I have had to consider my course of action. I cannot
work with people who so adamantly and unreasonably condemn an individual before ever considering
any other possibilities. I have never been accused of being a thief and certainly didn’t appreciate that
the assumption of guilt was present long before ever having a discussion with me. The failure to bring
these issues up in a timely manner so details are not lost is a huge failure of both DM and LP. No matter
what happened I never stood a chance fairly. So I feel it would be in the best interests of the company
and myself that I turn in my two week notice. I am leaving for any reason other than by staying (if
permitted) I would always be scrutinized or not entirely trusted and to be honest I do not feel that I
could be trusting of the DM or LP now either. I do not want to leave Michelle or the team in a bind and
can finish out two weeks to allow Michelle to get everyone trained up and functioning upon my exit.

Thank you for taking time to consider these pages along with documentation LP submits to you, as both
should provide a clearer picture than one-dimension selected information. Your time, consideration is
truly appreciated. I only request that no matter your decision that I be notified by your department –
due to firsthand knowledge of how management has been known to discreetly remove individuals from
employment-based roster. I merely want to finish 2 weeks and leave on good terms.

All in good faith,

Michele Lindgren #3277791
509 554 7183
Alineosight@gmail.com