Ethics
New Wal-Mart Theft Policy Helps Provide An Unexpected Perk For Its Minimum Wage Employees
Sometimes stealing pays, especially if said stolen item is $24.99 or less and is stolen from Wal-Mart.
Wal-Mart recently announced that it is changing its zero-tolerance rule when it comes to theft. Previously, Wal-Mart would prosecute anybody caught stealing from one of its stores - even if it was just a pack of gum. But, the zero-tolerance theft rule has now changed. Henceforth, prosecution happens only if an item stolen is worth $25 or more.
It's all about economics. According to a J.P. Suarez, who is in charge of asset protection at the department store, "it was no longer efficient to prosecute petty shoplifters. If I have somebody being paid $12 an hour processing a $5 theft, I have just lost money. I have also lost the time to catch somebody stealing $100 or an organized group stealing $3,000."
This raises the question, Should Wal-Mart be publicizing this new rule? Isn't this like publicizing that anything in the store priced under $25 is free? Perhaps that's why there are so many smiley faces pasted all over billboards in the store. Free equals happy! Happy shoppers can now feel free to steal items valued under $25 without fear of reprimand. I can just see some of them waiting, anxiously, for a sale to see that item that that they?d been watching drop in price, from $25.99 to $24.99.
Of course, I'm exaggerating; most shoppers are ethical and wouldn't steal, no matter what the store's theft policy is. Stealing doesn't pay, kids.
On the other hand, I'm sure all Wal-Mart employees, by now, are well aware of the new theft rule. I'm just afraid that some will consider it a company perk, a way to supplement their minimum wage income ? Steal from thy employer, as long as said stolen item is priced at $24.99 or less.
Tino Buntic Created TradePals to provide business professionals across North America with Free sales leads without cold calling. As well, Tino is an avid blog reader. His favorite blog on the topic of business ethics is Core Character, by John Gratton. Core Character is a discussion about business ethics, charcter traits, integrity, and values. |
Tino Buntic
Tags: wal-mart theft policy, stealing from wal-mart, unexpected perk, wal-mart minimum wage employees, theftSimilar articles
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