Current Events > My friend was robbed at work while he was on his shift.

(+) Yeah! (+)

Him and a few other workers had their bags cleaned out while they were on the floor. Two shady guys entered the staff room from the back door (which was meant to be locked) and pilfered all the wallets and phones they could find in everyone's bags.

My friend had about $200 on his card cleared out. He wasn't as badly hit as the other employees though. Some chick had $400 cash and her phone in her bag.

My friend's phone was spared his since he kept it in his pocket (against store policy).

Management had clearly failed here but all they did was call the cops and report the incident to head office. No promises.

My friend has so far gotten $100 on his card reversed. But shouldn't management play a bigger role here in compensation? Especially for the people who lost their phones and cash.
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Why was the back door unlocked?

HiddenRoar posted...

Why was the back door unlocked?

He doesn't know. He knows only the manager and higher ups have access to that door.
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paladin_man posted...

But shouldn't management play a bigger role here in compensation?

Not unless they were negligent
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I Like Toast posted...

paladin_man posted...

But shouldn't management play a bigger role here in compensation?

Not unless they were negligent

The negligence here was failing to ensure that the staff room was secure.
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paladin_man posted...

I Like Toast posted...

paladin_man posted...

But shouldn't management play a bigger role here in compensation?

Not unless they were negligent

The negligence here was failing to ensure that the staff room was secure.

The company can make the argument that it's the responsibility of everyone that uses the room to ensure that it remain secure.

The reason the door was unlocked is also needed info. If company policy forbids that the door remain unlocked, but someone in management unlocked it, then the blame rests with the individual, not the company. Especially if the door was unlocked at the request of an employee (like it being easier to access the smoke break area or whatever), then good luck at getting the company to take responsibility for it.

Something bad happening doesn't constitute neglect
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HiddenRoar posted...

paladin_man posted...

I Like Toast posted...

paladin_man posted...

But shouldn't management play a bigger role here in compensation?

Not unless they were negligent

The negligence here was failing to ensure that the staff room was secure.

The company can make the argument that it's the responsibility of everyone that uses the room to ensure that it remain secure.

The reason the door was unlocked is also needed info. If company policy forbids that the door remain unlocked, but someone in management unlocked it, then the blame rests with the individual, not the company. Especially if the door was unlocked at the request of an employee (like it being easier to access the smoke break area or whatever), then good luck at getting the company to take responsibility for it.

They can point fingers all they want. Even if they end up blaming the manager for leaving the door unlocked, since he is an employee by definition he can't be held financially liable. If he was an independent contractor that's a different story. But he's a permanent employee.

The floor staff are casuals so that will make it harder for them to make a point unless they want to risk losing their job due to, 'unsatisfactory performance'. But if this was out of their control, they deserve to be compensated, especially if store policy forbids them from holding their valuables on person while at on the floor.
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What line of work is this?
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Capn Circus posted...

What line of work is this?

Everyday retail. But the chain is a bit on the dodgy side with their practices.
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paladin_man posted...

HiddenRoar posted...

Why was the back door unlocked?

He doesn't know. He knows only the manager and higher ups have access to that door.

Sounds like a inside job
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paladin_man posted...

My friend's phone was spared his since he kept it in his pocket (against store policy).

Heh
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Thieves fucking suck

There's actually a good case here if they pursue. If you're going to require employees put all their shit in a back room that's negligence in and of itself. MOST companies spend the 500 dollars to get some lockers installed. If it was just lying out where anyone can get to it... No bueno.
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Darksaber310 posted...

There's actually a good case here if they pursue. If you're going to require employees put all their shit in a back room that's negligence in and of itself. MOST companies spend the 500 dollars to get some lockers installed. If it was just lying out where anyone can get to it... No bueno.

Problem is since all employees are casual HR could just fire them to keep them from pursuing any further.

It would suck to be the chick who lost $500 and her phone. I would be pissed. This is why I don't carry cash either.

Thankfully, the staff room at my workplace requires electronic card access.
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This sounds like the employers liable. An individual who works under employment at the time of negligence means that the company is possibly responsible for any untrained/negligible action from what I remember in my negligence law class. This is called vicarious liability.
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