Popsicles and Pet Shops

fuckyeahretailrobin:

[Image Description: Background is several triangles in a circle like a pie alternating from true red, scarlet and black. A robin is sitting on his perch looking to the right.

Top Text: “WORK AT MALL.”

Bottom Text: “MALL POLICY SAYS YOU CAN’T APPROACH CUSTOMER IF YOU THINK THEY’RE STEALING.”]

oh yes. this is real life at the mall i work at.

That’s pretty standard policy in retail and service; if you work in restaurants, you’re not allowed to chase after someone who’s bouncing out on a check, either. The rule is meant to ensure the safety of the worker, who is supposed to contact security (or the police) to handle the situation rather than do so him- or herself, under the (generally correct) assumption that security or the police know best how to safely apprehend a criminal, and also have the tools with which to do it. As a customer service representative, it’s a pretty safe assumption that you are unarmed and most likely not trained in any sort of combat or defense, and are therefore at a higher risk of becoming injured—or, worse, killed—in any type of confrontation or pursuit.

Of course, shady managers will try to cover the bottom line by making the representative pay for stolen merchandise or a walk-out on a check. I say “shady” because this is 100% illegal, for the same reason you aren’t supposed to chase after them. The proper (meaning, legal) course of action at any store or restaurant is to write the representative up, and possibly suspend or terminate the employee depending on the particular employer’s handbook (since most places have a clearly defined set of steps managers must take with regards to disciplinary action). An employer cannot terminate an employee for a first offense, nor can an employer make that employee cover the cost of goods.

Unfortunately, many people in the service or retail industry do not know this. But, if known, policies such as the one above make far more sense. (Another little-known fact is that every store or restaurant builds losses due to theft into its budget, because it is a fact that people will steal, and sometimes get away with it.) Don’t ever put yourself in danger in order to save the company’s bottom line—let the professionals deal with the situation, and know your rights in case an overzealous (or, maybe just ignorant) manager tries to take the loss out on you. Enforcing the law is not part of your job description, and never should be.