All articles tagged with #employee safety
A Richfield, Minnesota restaurant owner says ICE activity near Minneapolis is forcing staff to miss shifts out of fear, pushing him to cover long hours and trim operations, even closing for a day, while sales suffer and the business struggles to keep workers safe.
NASA employees at headquarters will undergo random searches of individuals, belongings, and vehicles starting July 30, as part of security measures to ensure safety and compliance, following recent workforce reductions and heightened security protocols.
TJX, the parent company of TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods, has started equipping specially-trained loss prevention employees with police-style body cameras at select stores to deter theft and de-escalate incidents. The footage is only shared with police or through a subpoena. This move is part of a broader trend among retailers to combat shoplifting, with some also exploring AI technologies and removing self-checkout registers.
TJX, the parent company of TJ Maxx and Marshalls, has started equipping some store employees with body cameras to deter shoplifting and enhance safety. While the company claims the cameras help de-escalate potential theft situations, some workers and criminologists are skeptical about their effectiveness. Critics argue that better training and staffing would be more beneficial, and there are concerns about the cameras being used for employee surveillance. Other retailers are also exploring similar measures amid rising theft and violence in stores.
In-N-Out Burger is closing its only store in Oakland, California due to concerns about crime, marking the first time in its 75-year history that the company has shut down a location. The decision comes as the company cites repeated incidents of car break-ins, property damage, theft, and armed robberies affecting customers and employees. The closure reflects a broader trend of businesses in Oakland and across the US shuttering stores due to rising crime, despite national data showing a decrease in certain types of crime.
The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) has announced the closure of Augusta Correctional Center, Sussex II State Prison, Haynesville Correctional Unit #17, and Stafford Community Corrections Alternative Program (CCAP) by July 1, 2024. The decision was made to enhance employee, inmate, and probationer safety, address staffing challenges, and reduce maintenance costs. VADOC is working to find job placements for affected employees and will transfer inmates to other VADOC facilities based on security level and classification. The VADOC will also assume control of Lawrenceville Correctional Center, the only privately operated prison in Virginia, at the end of the current contract term. Governor Glenn Youngkin plans to introduce a budget to provide additional funding for the VADOC to safely assume control of the facility.
UC Health has implemented a new masking policy requiring all employees and clinicians to wear masks when interacting with patients in response to the increase in respiratory virus infections in Greater Cincinnati. The policy will be in effect until the end of respiratory illness season and applies to various areas within UC Health facilities. The aim is to prevent the spread of diseases, including influenza, COVID-19, and RSV, and protect vulnerable patients.
Walmart's implementation of anti-theft technology at self-checkout counters has led to customers becoming hostile and aggressive towards untrained employees. The system, known as Missed Scan Detection, alerts staff when an unscanned item is detected, prompting customers to seek assistance. However, some customers have reacted with confusion, defensiveness, and even violence towards employees. Walmart has instructed its employees to "play dumb" and avoid directly accusing anyone of theft. Incidents of customer aggression have been reported, including one where a woman on a motorized scooter attacked a police officer after being accused of stealing. Walmart is continuously looking for ways to tackle theft, but the implementation of anti-theft technology has created safety concerns for its employees.
All Philadelphia Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores, along with one in Cheltenham Township, are closed today after at least 18 locations were broken into overnight. No employees were injured, but the decision to temporarily close the stores was made to ensure employee safety and assess the damage. The stores will reopen once it is safe and the repairs are completed.
Lowe's has rehired Donna Hansbrough, a 68-year-old employee who was fired after trying to stop shoplifters at a Georgia store, resulting in a black eye. The company initially terminated her for violating their policy against employees intervening in theft situations. However, after senior management reviewed the incident and spoke with Hansbrough, they decided to reinstate her job, emphasizing the importance of customer and employee safety. Hansbrough, who had worked for Lowe's for 13 years, accepted the offer to return.
In-N-Out Burger has banned employees in five states from wearing masks, citing the promotion of clear communication and showcasing employees' smiles. The rule applies to stores and support facilities in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Texas, and Utah, with disciplinary action for violators. However, a separate memo states that only store-provided N95 masks will be allowed for employees in Oregon and California. The chain has faced controversy over COVID-19 precautions in the past, including temporarily closing a San Francisco location for allowing indoor dining without proof of vaccination. The new mask policy has sparked a petition and criticism for endangering employees' lives and discriminating against vulnerable individuals. The company states that it aims to balance customer service with health and safety concerns and will review guidelines based on prevailing regulations.
Google is implementing a pilot program where select employees will be restricted to internet-free desktop PCs, except for internal web-based tools and Google-owned websites, in an effort to reduce the risk of cyberattacks. The program aims to prevent attackers from running arbitrary code remotely or accessing user data and infrastructure code. Some employees will also have limited administrative privileges. This initiative comes as companies face increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks and as Google seeks to enhance its security measures and contain leaks.
Lululemon CEO Calvin McDonald defended the company's decision to fire two employees who intervened during a theft at one of its stores in Georgia. The company has a zero-tolerance policy for engaging during a theft to prioritize the safety of its team and guests. Retailers have seen employees lose their lives when they've tried to intervene. As economic fears grow amid inflation and rising borrowing costs, incidents of retail crime are mounting. Retailers large and small say they're struggling to contain the escalation of in-store crime in particular- ranging from petty shoplifting to organized sprees of large-scale theft that clear entire shelves of products.
The family of a Louisiana Arby's manager who died after becoming trapped in a walk-in freezer is suing the fast food giant for more than $1 million in damages. The family's attorney claims that employees had complained about a broken latch on the freezer door, which was ignored by management. The mother-of-four and grandmother had been working at the New Iberia location temporarily and was preparing for the store's opening when she became trapped. A former employee alleges that workers had complained about the broken latch and were using a screwdriver to open and close the door. The family is seeking a formal investigation into the restaurant's alleged freezer malfunctions.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Ohio has been fined $18,000 by the US Department of Labor for failing to protect its employees from violent outbursts by patients at its newly created Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion. The hospital failed to prevent patients from physically assaulting staff, including nurses and mental health professionals, and also failed to properly document employee injuries. The hospital has 15 days to comply with the citation, request an informal conference with the area’s OSHA director, or contest the findings.