Lowe's - This is NOT the way you handle this issue!

[Dog Folks]

She broke the rules. That part is established. Was it a firing offence? I don't think so. No one was hurt, etc.

A reprimand and a explanation of the policy would save an 18 year employee.

I wonder if there was something else at work here. Maybe management wanted her to leave?

[halfwright]

The last 11 years I worked was as an armed uniformed security officer in a large grocery store chain in Denver, CO.

We were so rule bound that we were only a deterrent. We could not chase or touch a shoplifter. We could only contact a thief after we met certain criteria (5 rules, but I have forgotten some of them.)
I did manage to last until retirement, but only because I took the attitude that if that was what the company wanted, that is what I would do. Many did not last a year.

Every meeting we had, the main topic was liability. The company felt that a law suit would cost them more than the shoplifting losses.

Bottom line
On a job, you are being paid to do what you are told, even if it is stupid and you don't agree.

[HD4Mark]

So the crooks have more rights than the honest shoppers that ultimately pay for the things they steal. Sad.

[LadyFitz...]

Originally Posted by halfwright

The last 11 years I worked was as an armed uniformed security officer in a large grocery store chain in Denver, CO.

We were so rule bound that we were only a deterrent. We could not chase or touch a shoplifter. We could only contact a thief after we met certain criteria (5 rules, but I have forgotten some of them.)
I did manage to last until retirement, but only because I took the attitude that if that was what the company wanted, that is what I would do. Many did not last a year.

Every meeting we had, the main topic was liability. The company felt that a law suit would cost them more than the shoplifting losses.

Bottom line
On a job, you are being paid to do what you are told, even if it is stupid and you don't agree.

Finally, someone who gets it. I agree that it's galling and wrong to not intervene with shoplifting, etc. but your last line sums it up perfectly.

[UFO Pilot]

I guess I can destroy my Lowe's charge card now. Why pay for anything that I can carry out of the store, no one is allowed to stop me!

[LadyFitz...]

Originally Posted by UFO Pilot

I guess I can destroy my Lowe's charge card now. Why pay for anything that I can carry out of the store, no one is allowed to stop me!

Then you might as well destroy all your cards and just quit shopping anywhere other than small Mom and Pops that don't have those rules in place. Wake up to reality, people; none of the larger retailers are going to be any different.

[SteveSkinner]

Originally Posted by b-Bota

This is the type of person I would want working for my company. Maybe she shouldn't have broken the rules but to let her go after 18 years. Which is the greater wrong here?

Xx2

[laj]

soo, just do I understand this, you want an employ that tells you to shove the employee handbook, and the rules you as an company owner have established as the way you want your company ran. interesting. so then if this is what you allow them to do what rules do you enforce and where do you draw the line, or do you just let the employee draw it.

[EngineerMike]

Had an interesting discussion w/a highly decorated, recently retired cop who was working for a high end security outfit doing various "odd jobs." One was to guard half of a warehouse full of the most recent techy gadgets due for a national marketing roll out ("get there at midnight so you'll be the first to own the new..."). The other half of the warehouse was full of employees doing their ordinary job. [moderator edit]


In a physical confrontation, somebody will get hurt. One thing about Lowes employees all around the country- they now know exactly what that policy means and how to interpret it. While its galling that anybody gets away w/dishonesty, its obvious Lowes is serious about customer & employee safety.

[moderator edit] If you encourage cowboy activity you will get it and the downside that comes with it. Security folks who will intervene (whether on school grounds or in stores) need to be trained in strategy, tactics, & specific skills to engage a hostile situation, or they are going to make trouble for themselves & bystanders. The woman herself admitted, "I just snapped..." and wasn't thinking soberly. Good for Lowes to have the guts to back up a sound policy even when the publicity isn't something they asked for.

Besides, guess what the policy is on chasing shoplifters at Home Depot? Duh.

[Mekanic]

Originally Posted by DSL417

Unfortunately, some companies are looking for reasons to fire employees that have been with the company for a number of years. Sometimes it eliminates a higher cost employee, sometimes it eliminates an employee that might be getting close to a pension, and sometimes they simply want to lower the age or tenure of their workforce. If Lowes is one of those companies, that's downright wrong. Unfortunately it is a fact of life for workers entering their fifties...especially when they are being pushed, through advertisements and inducements to work past initial SS retirement age.

That is defaintly how some companys look at it.
I Know people who this has happened to. You are right it is a big shame. Too bad the employees at Lowes haven't got a union to back them up. this is just the type of situation where they can interject some common sense into the equation and help the outcome.

[Dog Folks]

Originally Posted by LadyFitz...

Again it's obvious most responders here have never worked retail. In most places, including the one I worked at, it IS a firing offense, period, even if it is a first offense.

That's a big assumption. I have OWNED retail stores.

[sgtjoe]

Originally Posted by Hooligan

Sent my feelings on the matter to customercare@lowes.com , e-mail return indicated it would be forwarded to appropriate management personnel and of course thanks for my input.
--------

Ted-- Mod said ... politics.....

Thanks for the link, I just sent them a note requesting they reconsider her dismissal, suggested they rehire and place her in Loss Prevention.

[sgtjoe]

Originally Posted by LadyFitz...

Then you might as well destroy all your cards and just quit shopping anywhere other than small Mom and Pops that don't have those rules in place. Wake up to reality, people; none of the larger retailers are going to be any different.

Hate to disagree, but Walmart, Sam's Club and Sears of which I've been employed at part time have never advised me of a rule like this.

[Hooligan]

So- I agree company rules must be obeyed... some latitude may exist.

But a growing segment of society believes that they only have to obey laws that they agree with, and to support that contention, some unpopular Federal and Civil laws are not enforced and those that violate them are forgiven..even rewarded.