Presumably, New York City and that area will be one of the last areas to get back to "normal". NYC has been releasing criminals back onto the street for months under the guise of "bail reform". They have done more crime and get re-released. Covid 19 has led to a release of many additional prisoners cause they were getting sick, as were the guards.
So picture yourself opening up as a handbag associate. These folks come in and steal and steal. Are you stopping them? Is a security guard gonna jump them? What's the protocol to protect us workers and assets?
5 replies (most recent on top)
to the last poster who said "violence of the offenders has become exponentially worse.".
You make it sound like Macy's stores are unsafe to be in due to the violence? Do you plan to continue working in the stores when they reopen? Or exactly what is your point? Did you work in Macy's stores and in what type of position?
How can Macy's stores compete with e-tailers (i.e. amazon and others) who don't need AP teams. So again what are saying the solution is for Macy's stores to compete?
The amount of loss that has been shown in the stores is insane. One handbag is not the issue. It is the opportunist and professional thieves that are k–ling the profits.
When an armload of Silver Jeans walks out that is about $1,000. This happens how many times a week? This happens to how many items per day?/per week? It is not an exaggeration. Look at the shortage numbers for the past 5 years and you will see a pattern of increased shortage. This is direct relation to the combining departments, reducing of AP staff, failure to increase or repair the technology for theft prevention.
So sure 1 $300 MK bag is not the issue but looking at the bigger picture it is a serious situation.
Also the violence of the offenders has become exponentially worse. Many jurisdictions are not prosecuting theft offenders, therefore there are no consequences to their actions. This creates an environment for continuing theft.
With short staffing it will be a challenge for the stores that do open.
In my city nonviolent criminals who are awaiting their day in court have been released which makes sense. They will come back when they have a court date. If they don't show an arrest warrant will be issued.
If a colleague sees theft they will follow store guidance and call the appropriate number. Of course they do not engage the thieves. They have never been asked to do that. I think the OP is just fear mongering. Maybe a disgruntled AP associate.
Violent and petty crime are largely down during this crisis. https://time.com/5819507/crime-drop-coronavirus/
I believe Macy's policy has always been not to chase someone stealing, but to call security.
I also understand that many locations AP depts will be cut
So what do you do?
You let them go, you protect yourself first. A $300.00 MK bag is not a big loss to Macy's. What would be a loss is the lawsuit from the thief for discrimination, etc.