Hero fired for being a hero

[Jason14h]

How so? Please, enlighten me.

If an employee chases a shoplifter out of the store and tackles them and breaks their neck, the store will be sued.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

most if not all retail outlets have this policy. Just let them go.

Having done some volunteer work in the loss prevention field I know there are guys that will stab you, poke you with a needle, and whatever else over a $5 item. If anything, you let them go for your own protection, then report them to the police. 95% of the time the police know exactly who it is, especially if you have video evidence.

That said, when something like that happens, and in the heat of the moment you chase someone, generally the store looks the other way. You *might* get a "yeah don't do that". But I've NEVER heard of someone being suspended let alone fired over chasing a shoplifter/purse snatcher.

If anything you should be less inclined to punish the guy chasing a customer's purse. It's better publicity for the store, makes the customer feel safer and appreciated. Plus it's not like the customer has insurance to cover their purse and its contents. A major corporation budgets for loss.

Not cool Round Rock Randalls (whatever the frack kind of store you are) not cool

[RedMileDJ]

The same thing happened to me when I was working at the Sunglass Hut in Chinook Mall.

It was just before the renovations on the south side, and we were getting ready to pack up our store and move to a temporary kiosk. It was only me and other guy and the manager that worked in the store. It was so small, we only need 3 employees.

It was about 8:30pm on a Thursday and I was cashing-out and getting ready to shut down the store. I noticed a Native girl approaching the store from across the mall and she had something in her hand. It was almost like she was targeting the store.

She walked in the store (which isn't very big) and looked at the case of Revo sunglasses (EXPENSIVE stuff...has nothing on Oakley). She asked me "which ones are the most expensive sunglasses?" I pulled out a pair of Revos that retailed for $450. I then noticed that she was carrying her credit card in her other hand. I thought it was unusual for her to be carrying her credit card, and not have it in her purse.

Anyway, she wanted the sunglasses and gave me the credit card for purchase. The name on the card was Linda Smith. This girl was Native (not that I don't think Smith could be a Native name) and quite young. It was one of those Platinum Visa, or something like that. So I pretended to put the card through, while at the same time TRIED to call security...bu the line was busy ALL 5 times I tried calling. The girl was getting quite visably nervous and started walking towards the exit of the store.

I asked her to wait because I had to "call in the Visa number. It's policy after 8pm." She took off like a bullet for the mall exit. I still had the Visa in my hand and began chase after her. I asked the guy at the store next door to watch my store. Now...I don't know what took over me...but I wanted to catch her.

I eventually got to the mall doors as she hopped into a waiting white Pontiac Grand Prix, and I was able to get the license number.

I got back to my store, put the sunglasses back in the case, and called security. I also called Visa and reported the card. Turns out it was stolen only 30 minutes before from the Home Depot across the street. Security called the Calgary Police and they picked up the girl, and her driver, down at Southcentre mall. I guess she has some other credit cards she had stolen, and was trying to use them.

Visa sent me a $500 "reward" card in the mail a few weeks later. Me...I was job hunting. I got fired because I "abbandoned" my store.

I hate the Sunglass Hut.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by fatso

Ya, it's clearly the lawyers who are instigating these policies. It could have nothing to do with businesses requiring their individual employees to prioritize the business's profit motive over that individual's ethical obligations to citizens.

Really, thats what you honestly think. Ok. Just making sure you actually think that because I know that the company I work for always fires employees for failing to prioritize the buinsess profit motive.

Trout, wasnt talking about all lawyers, only those very greasy ones that advertise on TV etc. Montlick and Associates etc. We have all seen those grease ball adds, however you dont see them for Canadian based lawfirms, only US ones. The only lawfirm I have ever seen advertised on TV is for some tax lawyers in Toronto on BNN.

Forgot the traffic ticket lawyers - meant more personal injury types.

[mykalberta]

I think its likely this Randalls has been sued in the last year for something similar and they had to do this for liability insurance reasons.

[mikey_the_redneck]

Good for you Red-Mile-DJ!!

We need more people to ignore dumb "corporate policies" and take a calculated risk to help out our fellow man.......and bring people to justice. I would have done the same thing.

[fatso]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Really, thats what you honestly think. Ok. Just making sure you actually think that because I know that the company I work for always fires employees for failing to prioritize the buinsess profit motive.

Wrong. I didn't say or imply that was the exclusive reason for these policies, but to pretend like it's not a contributing and guiding factor to those polices, and to just blame the lawyers prima facie as you did, is misguided.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by fatso

Wrong. I didn't say or imply that was the exclusive reason for these policies, but to pretend like it's not a contributing and guiding factor to those polices, and to just blame the lawyers prima facie as you did, is misguided.

Nice - I was waiting for a good opportunity to throw that in...

[burnin_vernon]

Originally Posted by Buff

When I worked at Canadian Tire I would help out the "loss prevention officers" and there was three or four occasions when we chased down the shoplifters a few blocks away from the store.

Yep, I spent a few years at the Tire too and we were in chases constantly. We were neither encouraged or discouraged to do it. Of course, we all wanted to tackle some loser with a bag of batteries.

I could see why a store would be choked at us for that, but this is an innocent bystander in need of help, not a big expensive franchise.

[HPLovecraft]

I'm sure the dude can find a new cashier job at some other obscurely named grocery store. For all the negative publicity this will get this Crap Hut, it's worth it.

Screw 'em.

[Flamesguy_SJ]

Originally Posted by fotze

This guy went from Heeerow to Zeerow.

In no time flat.

[REDVAN]

All you have to do to be called a hero is rescue some old woman's purse? Lame.

I think you should have to do something more than that.

[bcb]

Can we just ban all shoplifters?

[Cowboy89]

Originally Posted by HPLovecraft

I'm sure the dude can find a new cashier job at some other obscurely named grocery store. For all the negative publicity this will get this Crap Hut, it's worth it.

Screw 'em.

Randall's is owned by Safeway. When I used to work (At Safeway) there and was in charge of the store it was understood that no one was to give chase to a shoplifter. If held up, you did exactly what the robber asked you to do. Reason being is that, whatever money/product they got away with wasn't worth the risk that employees or other customers could be hurt in said situation. I agree with the policy. The only issue I take with this story is that the guy was fired instead of lighter punishment.

[MRCboicgy]

i think the difference here is that it was a purse snatcher vs. a shoplifter. The store can handle a loss of a bag of groceries, but that would be harder for the woman whose purse was stolen.

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by MRCboicgy

i think the difference here is that it was a purse snatcher vs. a shoplifter. The store can handle a loss of a bag of groceries, but that would be harder for the woman whose purse was stolen.

Yeah. If it was just shoplifting I would let them go. But if it someone's purse/wallet, I would be on my way to get the person.

Next to the pizza place I work at there is a chinese food place, one of our customers (in the pizza place), noticed some guy running out of the chinese store with their cash register and chased him down and tackled him. The idiot was the same guy who stole our tip jar a few weeks ago (we have cameras). The funny thing is he lived across the street. I think he is in jail now for violating his parole.

[GirlySports]

Another case.

Seattle Bank Teller Fired for Chasing, Apprehending Robber

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,...est=latestnews

Don't leave your workspace... just don't do it. Even if someone gets shot right in front of you!