Would You Risk It

[teacake44]

I had just entered a supermarket yesterday, and over the tannoy in a very loud voice announced ( code 10 ) it was that loud it made even me jump. within a few seconds of the announcement five or six females, a mix of young girls and middle age rushed to and out of the entrance of the main door, I learned later that they where chasing two men who had helped themselves to some alcohol without paying. My question is should any employer really expect normal floor staff to go after shoplifters with a very good chance of getting hurt ? there where no security guards whatever in sight, or seem to be on duty anywhere. Sometime back I knew a girl who worked for a well known DIY store, she worked on the till near the door, a chap took a boxed electric drill of the shelf and ran out the door, she ran after him and she fell over damaging her knee, she was off work for three months, the store refused to pay her while she was off work. So if you work for someone can they really expect you to run after such people and risk maybe your life, as it seems very much like this supermarket does expect that.

[spathiphyllum]

No employee should ever chase a shop lifter. It is dangerous and a massive health and safety risk.

[spathiphyllum]

Also it's not like whatever they rob will be coming from their pay check. Overly concerned for something they shouldn't really care about.

If a store has no security, that means it'd cost them more to hire security than the loss they make from shop lifting.

[teacake44]

Well it does seem that this store have selected certain members of staff to react to this code 10. Now I know that health and safety as gone a little mad, but I just wonder if this is legal to put staff in this position, it seems very wrong to me.

[Old_Geezer]

Maybe the staff agreed to act as security as part of their contract.

[aelmpvw]

i suppose any injury incurred by a shoplifter being tackled by six members of staff could result in the shop being sued ...

[Stephen_G]

I used to work in a Sports shop and chased a shoplifter across the car park. I was millimetres away from grabbing the door handle. If I had, I probably would have been dragged along the tarmac. Sadly, she got away.

I later learned I was legally allowed to pursue someone for THREE FEET before I gave up the chase.

[Old_Geezer]

Surely not many shoplifters have three feet ?

[ummmm]

I would think anyone responding to a 'code 10' has had the relevant training.

[teacake44]

Would a hard hat be in order then ummmm, in case you get a bottle of whisky over the head.

[Canary42]

The store may oblige you to run after them - but use a bit of common sense - you don't have to catch them ;-)

[ummmm]

They would have escaped by then.

[teacake44]

It would be interesting to know what insurance cover these shops have for staff getting injured under such circumstances ( not a general accident within the shop).