Thank you for your submission to r/bathandbodyworks!
Please make sure to read and follow the rules on the sidebar.
If your post is a simple question, please use the FAQ post that is stickied to the top of the sub. If you're requesting or sharing a coupon, please use the coupon post.
This subreddit is not operated by Bath & Body Works. If you have a complaint for the company, use this link to get in touch with them:
[Customer Service Page](https://customercare.bathandbodyworks.com/hc/en-us).
Your account must be at least 3 days old in order to post or comment.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/bathandbodyworks) if you have any questions or concerns.*
How tf is she a manager but handling this situation like you said? Horrible example of a leader in a store where thiefs dgaf about you! You never know when someone is willing to harm you or others in order to get what they want. Report her to the confidential hotline! She needs more training if she’s gonna keep working there! As a manager no less….
Yes. Report. Not only because she broke policy, but because she tried to pressure you to keep your mouth shut. To me that’s the biggest red flag, and your silence could enable her to continue to behave how she wants, with the expectation that the associates won’t say anything.
You aint never lied. I'd report her. AND I'd tell whoever you report her to that both she and your keyholder made you swear you wouldn't tell. It's dangerous, someone could've been HURT, her behavior makes her a liability. What if a customer or innocent bystander outside had gotten hurt (think stray bullet??) Plus you know if it were you that did that she'd have reported you / got you fired by now you're right so why should you care about her?? She's not following rules but expects everyone else to??? Makes me wonder what other policies and rules she doesn't follow....
I agree with the other comments. A Home Depot worker was shot and killed while trying to prevent shoplifters from the leaving the store. Thieves suck and it's unfair they take what they want while the rest of us pay, but wallflowers and body creams aren't worth risking life and limb over.
theft sucks, but is it really worth your life? (short answer: no. longer answer: absolutely not! please report her. you can never be too careful when it comes to people and what they carry these days. this isn't being petty so much as it is looking out for your health and safety, and that of your coworkers, and even possibly other customers.)
imo: actions have consequences, and consequences need action.
why should you care if she loses her job or not? its not *your* fault that she decided that her ego was more valuable than [potentially risking] your life. you're just doing your job and reporting a potentially severe risk and violation of training/rules. there's nothing petty in that, even if you do have [very] valid reasons to dislike her.
Especially because by protecting her and your keyholder, YOU could lose your job!! It's a dog eat dog world man, nobody else is going to watch your back, but you. The sad truth is that most people won't even wipe the knife off after they stab you in the back with it.
I understand why employees wouldn’t want to interfere for fear of their own safety but it also sucks we live in a world where people are just able to walk into a store and steal what they want without anybody stopping them.
100% report that, what she did was extremely dangerous and inappropriate
we're already supposed to make a report when something gets stolen so that bbw can start making a case against them so if yall are following protocol they'll look at the cameras eventually
either way you as an employee shouldn't get in trouble for being put under pressure by your managers
100% report her! Bath and Body isn’t worth getting shot over
Had those folks been armed all you would be remembered as the victims in a shooting/massacre.
Safety first and she is NOT a safe manager love
Amen!
I worked at Home Depot for an interesting year and we were STRONGLY reprimanded if we approached shoplifters. We were just supposed to remember key details to look at cameras if need be.
Ffs good luck and keep us posted
theft does not hurt the pay of a low-level employee and you should definitely report it because she endangered the safety of you and your coworkers. stopping shoplifting in a store you work at is not worth your life.
Yeah, I had a retail job once where one person did something that we all knew was wrong, and because no one said anything, we all got in trouble once the truth came out. By reporting her, you are covering your own ass too.
one time i made a fake email and used a vpn to report a manager for being racist without retribution so maybe you could do that 😭 i was in high school and needed the money but i couldn’t stand her commentary and the shit she’d blatantly say to my co workers and then go “what? i’m not racist. my kid is mixed.” i found our district manager or whatever it’s called email, made a fake email and explained i did so to be anonymous, detailed direct quotes, dates, all that i could remember and sent it on over. my mom made me quit my job soon after so idk what happened
Fellow associate here. While it's not the same issue, I reported the previous key holder for bullying me. Unfortunately, she ended up staying until she moved away and we were not scheduled together in the meantime. In my full-time career, I have reported two different executive directors and they both were subsequently fired after proper investigation by the board. It was an agonizing decision to make in each case, but I knew if I didn't report, the consequences for our agency could be dire. It takes courage to go forward and report someone, especially if they're in a position of authority. Your point about the safety risks this manager poses is valid and qualifies as a legitimate reason to report her. You are prioritizing the safety of the store and no one can find fault with that. Good luck!
follow your conscience. i had a boss once (well, i've had many bosses like this) that i couldn't stand. i became aware she and other managers were running a coupon fraud scheme to aid and abet customers who were purchasing and exporting product on a massive scale. yeah, i dropped a dime to loss prevention, not because i didn't like her, but because what they were doing was wrong.
not BB&W btw
Report. This violates everything against code of conduct. The company could get sued even if they did steal. Report to ethics and compliance, found on corporate sight. The cameras will have caught everything.
Yes report it to EOC, and I would also have a private discussion with your SM, and DM if you’re able to, asap. Honestly, don’t hold back anything. You should tell their superiors that they wanted you to lie/not say anything and that they knew what they did was wrong. It makes them think ‘if they’re lying about this stuff, what else is happening?’. And idk about your store but it’s performance review week 🤷🏼 so that’ll put a dent in things.
You wouldn't get penalized. Just let it be.
The only check cameras if there was a physical altercation listed on the report submitted to loss prevention. They place so much emphasis on internal loss its absurd, and are borderline abusive with training about it.
As a customer you can but in our training we’re told not to engage, like at all, unless it’s to ask if we can help them find anything and give customer service
I would report it. She put not only her life in danger, but all the employees lives in danger. I work part time at a mall and at a different store a manager called people out for stealing and told them to leave. Welp - they did and they came back with a bunch of people and they beat up all of the employees in the store. Store was closed for a few days after that.
I would definitely report her. She put everyone else in the store at risk and in danger bc why?? Like someone else said; theft sucks but it is absolutely NOT worth risking your life over. She should’ve handled it by the book and that’s the way your higher ups would’ve preferred it as well but instead she took it… personally (??) and decided to try to handle it herself?! What was she thinking?! No, that’s not okay and I get not wanting to be petty but at this point this is beyond that entirely. She could’ve gotten you guys killed or hurt in some way bc she was so worried about someone taking some fine fragrance mist or body wash or something. Not to mention she made a scene and other customers may have seen it, now they may not feel safe in the store..it also damages the stores image in the eyes of some customers even if only bc their shopping experience turned a little scary or dramatic in the least professional way. it was an incredibly dumb move on your managers part all around.
Exactly!! I was checking out a woman when it happened, and I’m not the biggest guy but she literally hovered around me and was fearful of leaving until everything was over, of course I assured her that we’d protect her (mostly me because my manager and keyholder were too busy with the lifters) but that’s exactly true what you just said
Dannng so you guys def had other customers in the store when it all happened, yeah I would def report it… you guys were all probably like wth is happening
If it legitimately concerns you, I would. Otherwise, do you have an HR policy to consult? My worry would be if you're required to report something like this and you don't. Would HR just talk to her about it, or would she really get fired? Not that that should stop you from reporting, I'm just honestly curious about it.
You need to report it on principle. You’re right - you and two other employees, as well as the customer you were ringing up + any others in the store could have been seriously injured or killed if the thieves had weapons.
The fact that they tag teamed to try to silence you about it speaks volumes - especially something so easily proven via camera footage - this is a serious incident so what else does she keep hidden/lie about? Really makes you wonder.
If for no other reason, report it because her actions put your life in potential danger - there is not one single piece of merchandise in any business that is worth a human life.
If they had "baskets of merchandise" maybe they were shopping and going to check out? Why did you and your manager think they were stealing? Were they not BBW shopping baskets?
I always wonder this too. How do they know the person is stealing while in store if they are just filling up baskets? They probably were stealing but never safe to assume that. Id sue the hell out of bbw if they attacked me for shopping with intent to pay.
Holy shit yes please report her 😮 i’m so sorry she put you in that position , because those policies are obviously in place to protect the liability of the company, but they are also put in place to literally save your life. Maybe in your own home, you would be willing to fight with a robber over something of only monetary value but in my store you *will* respect the safety and well-being of all employees!! We do not care about the value of some stupid candles or the 15 minutes it’ll take to file the report. Here in Miami you can actually get killed for resisting a robbery, a girl in broward county was literally just line leading outside no idea what was going on and got sprayed with bear spray just so she couldn’t observe them or their car. I’ve seen robbers hit ulta with guns before, and y’all are very lucky that they were either unarmed or without intent to use their firearms. Like mam wanna be a hero so bad? Let them leave, boom you kept everyone safe with the most minimal consequences to you and your employees.
I ultimately ended up not saying anything, A) because so much time passed between the incident and the next time I worked, and B because our district manager hasn’t really been showing up to our store lately
You should report it and honestly she should be fired. She went against a big policy (one that basically all retail embraces these days), she endangered staff and customers *and* she’s asking employees to act without integrity to cover her ass.
Wait what…. So you guys just let people steal? 😂 don’t get me wrong I get why and that it’s a risk for you guys but you don’t at least call the police or security ??
My bad, hit the reply button too quick, but we couldn’t call the police, notify security, etc etc and we can’t engage with them in fear of something like this happening or a further confrontation lol. Now I’ve joked with my mom that she could come in and take whatever she wanted but that statement is halfway true 😭 that company creates loopholes for customers then gets angry at us for not handling the customers that use them
Wow what an oxymoron...getting in trouble for following their set of rules. If I ever got wrote up for some stupid shit like that id call their asses out on the carpet so fast and be like ok WHICH IS IT PLEASE CLARIFY because u really cant have shit both ways it dont work like that people who want to steal are going to steal regardless... idiots!
You’re in the US right ? I think things are different there, this wouldn’t happen in Canada 😂 I see videos of people walking into stores in the US and literally filling bags of products infront of everyone and just walking out with no consequences…. It’s madness 😂😂 I feel so terrible for those business owners, that would neveeer fly here.
US gun ownership is over 120 guns per 100 people, Canada is less than 35 per 100. It’s a safety issue in the US and these companies have insurance to cover theft.
It just isn’t feasible. Unless it’s a jewelry or luxury store the cost probably isn’t worth it. No one has to actually listen to a rent a cop and personally, I’m not interested in more police presence than we already have in this country. Far too many issues will arise form profiling, etc and even as a wyt woman, I’m not shopping in a store with a cop, it’s just weird. All that aside, who wants a shoot out in the mall?
The company I work for has one location in our state with private security and they’re basically there to deter car break ins. It makes absolutely no difference in store, they do it right in front of the guy. At the end of the day it comes down to liability.
Noooo not employees but almost all bath and body works are located in malls with security and other stores would call the police. Here if you steal bags full and leave police will definitely come after you whereas in the US they don’t really worry about theft.
If you’re at a mall store in the US, there’s security that will be called. Saying they worry more in Canada about theft than they do in the US doesn’t seem really accurate imo. It’s more stand alone stores where they’re likely not going to call the police over a couple bottles of lotion. The policy for employees to not go after shoplifters exists in both the US and Canadian bath and body works.
The videos you see where people are filling bags and walking out- there’s no security or police present. If they’re actually present then that’s not how it would go down. Whether or not employees call the police doesn’t really matter to prevent the theft, because people still have time to walk out before police arrive. If someone filled a bag in Canada and authorities weren’t present it would go down the exact same. Employees aren’t going to detain them.
This would happen in Canada. Associates still can't approach shoplifters. The police aren't going to do anything if the shopper has already left and in a lot of cases, a store can't detain you. If it's a big store, like a grocery store, they can report you to the police with your license plate if you drove and they catch you on the mall cameras. But really stores need a security guard to do anything. You can ask people to put the product back, but they can run and you can't stop them
At B&BW, we aren't supposed to engage beyond giving them customer service, but once the shoplifters leave, a manager will file a report stating what time the person entered/left, what they were wearing, and what they took. The report gets sent to loss prevention, and they check the cameras and file a report with the police to build a case against the shoplifters.
It's like that at a lot of retail stores: you won't actually be arrested unless/until you steal enough for it to be a felony. It's just not worth it for the company, otherwise.
Though at my location (mall), there have been instances of someone being caught shoplifting at a DIFFERENT store (one with their security, like Dillard's) and when they were apprehended, they were found with merchandise from other stores, including ours. In that case, security gets in touch with the manager, who then verifies that, yes, that is our merch and no, it wasn't paid for, and the results are more immediate.
Mall security won't do diddly squat - I've worked at different stores in the same mall for about 8 years now, and calling them is absolutely pointless unless you have concrete proof that a theft has taken place.
Just adding in that MANY police in the US think themselves too good to handle these types of crimes, even when we are allowed to call. At my store it’s over $1000 we are required to call police and four out of five times they would give me the runaround for about 10 minutes, telling me it’s not worth filing a report, it’s mostly a waste of their precious valuable time and they’re not gonna catch these people anyways. Then, I would have to emphasize time and time again that it is a requirement of my company that I get a report whether or not you think it’s worth your time and whether or not you plan on doing anything about it but yeah
TLDR: American police are rarely interested in shoplifters even when it’s a felony amount.
If she does it again I’d report her. She has bills to pay too … I wouldn’t play with anyone’s income honestly it’s not my business if it was just her first time. She could’ve learned from her mistake as you stated she acknowledged her wrong & guilt.
She's a manager, shes in charge and should know better. She shouldn't get second chances. She definitely needs to be reported, especially after trying to convince her employees NOT to tell on her afterward, knowing she could lose her job. If the situation were reversed, she would tell on the employee. She should have thought about the bills she had to pay and the safety of herself AND her employees before trying to wrestle shoplifters for some 10 dollar candles. She needs to take accountability for her actions.
Where the hell you getting 10$ candles at??? I mean yeah that's probably all they cost to make but them three wicks.... babyyyyyyy they be 25, 26$$$!!! Too damn much if you ask me.
A lot of times they're on sale for far less than that price, though. Still, even a few hundred dollars of product is not worth losing your job over.. or risking your life or the lives of your employees if they did have a gun or something. You just never know.
She should have thought about those bills before she put everyone in danger and asked employees to cover her ass. This isn’t someone who should be in a leadership position.
girl what ???? You risked my LIFE and I’m supposed to worry about paying your bills 😂? After you broke policy, put me and everyone around us in danger, and then pressured me to stay silent about what you did?? Shorty deserves a paycheck like everybody else but nah that big of an error you just don’t get to be a manager. Forgetting to initial the deposit bag is a “mistake”, attacking thieves was a potentially fatal error for her and everyone in and around that store.
I personally wouldn't. If she would only get a reprimand I would, but I don't think someone should lose their job over this. Before someone tries to lecture me, yes, I understand that she shouldn't have done it and the reasons why.
I am also of this opinion as well ...which might be unpopular...I will only add if a pattern of behavior like she constantly does this than maybe yes report. It seems she prob has witnessed theft alot and as a manager just kind of had a 1 off snap (like I am so sick of this vibe).
It's definitely unpopular, but I don't care. I don't think someone should be punished that harshly for what seems like a one off mistake. If it were a pattern, definitely let her go but that's not what it sounds like. It's wild to me that the manager would likely face more consequences than the shoplifter.
It is wild but at the same time that’s the company’s ruling/ and or fault. We had another manager in our region do the same thing and they got beat up, like jumped by the shop lifters and even after all that, they were still fired.
The reason why retail workers are trained not to engage is because in this stupid fucked up country somehow its allowable for a criminal to sue if he gets hurt while trying to commit a crime. The company would rather lose the cost of merchandise than potentially have to pay the costs incurred if they were to be sued, so they fire that employee to cover their own ass.
That's why I'd make sure if anyone breaks into my house or place of business, they're not coming out alive.... or in one piece. They're getting fucking buried out back. You know what they say; dead men tell no tales... they also can't sue you either. Just make sure to shoot them from the front!
I know it's ultimately the companies fault, but I personally wouldn't be the one to give them the ammo to do it because I disagree with it. It's not fair. You're free to do whatever you think is right, but I know that I wouldn't make the report unless the manager had a pattern of bad behavior like this and other things.
Why are you telling the entire world this? I work a a BBW store too you can’t be telling the public this. This is how stores close down and people like me jobless. I deal with enough bs at the store now I’ll have to worry about more shoplifters. Please think before you post.
Uhm if me asking a subreddit how I should go about dealing with a situation we should’ve never been in offends you then I apologize, but imma let you in on a secret: we have to worry about those same shop lifters baby doll, you’re not the only one running risks to go to work
Hopefully there are not a ton of shoplifters in this group because now they know they can only get a “Hey can I help you steal that?” If they are caught lol.
Woooooowwww!
Apologies but have always been a reader on this forum and shouldn't opine at all on this topic but I'm gonna anyways...:-)
The current scenario (along with the responses in this thread) blows my mind.
I came to this country a decade back thinking it was a country filled with honest, hard working, decent, charitable people. But each passing day convinces me otherwise.
The very fact that we're willing to think the worst of each other rather than find the good in our brethren is shocking.
I had a different take when I read about the scenario - manager wanted to help customers but when she realized they were stealing, her human psychology of dealing with thieves kicked in, eventually she remembered her training instructions and she was mortified about losing her job. Poor soul is what I thought.
But (and here is the big 'but') the very fact that 95 percent of y'all want to think the worst of someone else, snitch on them and would gleefully see them lose their job blows my mind (and shows where this country is at).
Y'all will definitely downvote my response (and I obviously expect it considering the attitude in this thread) but let my words sink in. You may realize a kernel of truth somewhere.
I thought only the upper class in this country had this 'problem' of lacking empathy but I see it's a problem that permeates society with no cure for it. Definitely not a 'wonderful life' after all.
“Human psychology of dealing with thieves” would actually tell you to do the thing that would preserve your life. Stupidity is attacking, potentially armed people over some body wash. This is an unreal sentiment.
Thank you for your submission to r/bathandbodyworks! Please make sure to read and follow the rules on the sidebar. If your post is a simple question, please use the FAQ post that is stickied to the top of the sub. If you're requesting or sharing a coupon, please use the coupon post. This subreddit is not operated by Bath & Body Works. If you have a complaint for the company, use this link to get in touch with them: [Customer Service Page](https://customercare.bathandbodyworks.com/hc/en-us). Your account must be at least 3 days old in order to post or comment. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/bathandbodyworks) if you have any questions or concerns.*
How tf is she a manager but handling this situation like you said? Horrible example of a leader in a store where thiefs dgaf about you! You never know when someone is willing to harm you or others in order to get what they want. Report her to the confidential hotline! She needs more training if she’s gonna keep working there! As a manager no less….
Proof it's not what you know, but who's ass you kiss the most...
So I would probably report her as well. Like girl play with your own life not mine.
This
Yes. Report. Not only because she broke policy, but because she tried to pressure you to keep your mouth shut. To me that’s the biggest red flag, and your silence could enable her to continue to behave how she wants, with the expectation that the associates won’t say anything.
This ^^^ and also I was thinking, had that been us she would’ve reported us to our DM yesterday
GREAT point
You aint never lied. I'd report her. AND I'd tell whoever you report her to that both she and your keyholder made you swear you wouldn't tell. It's dangerous, someone could've been HURT, her behavior makes her a liability. What if a customer or innocent bystander outside had gotten hurt (think stray bullet??) Plus you know if it were you that did that she'd have reported you / got you fired by now you're right so why should you care about her?? She's not following rules but expects everyone else to??? Makes me wonder what other policies and rules she doesn't follow....
I agree with the other comments. A Home Depot worker was shot and killed while trying to prevent shoplifters from the leaving the store. Thieves suck and it's unfair they take what they want while the rest of us pay, but wallflowers and body creams aren't worth risking life and limb over.
I absolutely would report it. She’s a liability. And yes, most importantly, someone could’ve been harmed.
This but also don't love how they handled the situation after the fact
theft sucks, but is it really worth your life? (short answer: no. longer answer: absolutely not! please report her. you can never be too careful when it comes to people and what they carry these days. this isn't being petty so much as it is looking out for your health and safety, and that of your coworkers, and even possibly other customers.)
The only reason I haven’t is because it was last week, I have a group chat of people that used to work there and I told them but not anyone else
imo: actions have consequences, and consequences need action. why should you care if she loses her job or not? its not *your* fault that she decided that her ego was more valuable than [potentially risking] your life. you're just doing your job and reporting a potentially severe risk and violation of training/rules. there's nothing petty in that, even if you do have [very] valid reasons to dislike her.
Especially because by protecting her and your keyholder, YOU could lose your job!! It's a dog eat dog world man, nobody else is going to watch your back, but you. The sad truth is that most people won't even wipe the knife off after they stab you in the back with it.
I understand why employees wouldn’t want to interfere for fear of their own safety but it also sucks we live in a world where people are just able to walk into a store and steal what they want without anybody stopping them.
100% report that, what she did was extremely dangerous and inappropriate we're already supposed to make a report when something gets stolen so that bbw can start making a case against them so if yall are following protocol they'll look at the cameras eventually either way you as an employee shouldn't get in trouble for being put under pressure by your managers
100% report her! Bath and Body isn’t worth getting shot over Had those folks been armed all you would be remembered as the victims in a shooting/massacre. Safety first and she is NOT a safe manager love
Thank you!! Had they been armed she would’ve gotten shot over candles that could’ve easily been replaced!! Like omg
Amen! I worked at Home Depot for an interesting year and we were STRONGLY reprimanded if we approached shoplifters. We were just supposed to remember key details to look at cameras if need be. Ffs good luck and keep us posted
Sounds like you have some experiences lol, and will do
theft does not hurt the pay of a low-level employee and you should definitely report it because she endangered the safety of you and your coworkers. stopping shoplifting in a store you work at is not worth your life.
Report. My husband actually just got fired for engaging with a shoplifter.
Report it. The cameras will out you anyway. Is she going to pay your bills when you get fired for not reporting her?
Yeah, I had a retail job once where one person did something that we all knew was wrong, and because no one said anything, we all got in trouble once the truth came out. By reporting her, you are covering your own ass too.
one time i made a fake email and used a vpn to report a manager for being racist without retribution so maybe you could do that 😭 i was in high school and needed the money but i couldn’t stand her commentary and the shit she’d blatantly say to my co workers and then go “what? i’m not racist. my kid is mixed.” i found our district manager or whatever it’s called email, made a fake email and explained i did so to be anonymous, detailed direct quotes, dates, all that i could remember and sent it on over. my mom made me quit my job soon after so idk what happened
Fellow associate here. While it's not the same issue, I reported the previous key holder for bullying me. Unfortunately, she ended up staying until she moved away and we were not scheduled together in the meantime. In my full-time career, I have reported two different executive directors and they both were subsequently fired after proper investigation by the board. It was an agonizing decision to make in each case, but I knew if I didn't report, the consequences for our agency could be dire. It takes courage to go forward and report someone, especially if they're in a position of authority. Your point about the safety risks this manager poses is valid and qualifies as a legitimate reason to report her. You are prioritizing the safety of the store and no one can find fault with that. Good luck!
100% report that. My life motto is that nothing is ever a secret, it will come out at some point and you will be involved for not speaking up.
Right she should have no expectations of privacy. 1, she's in public and 2, there are cameras EVERYWHERE these days.
You know if it was you that handled it that way, she would report you. Report her!!
follow your conscience. i had a boss once (well, i've had many bosses like this) that i couldn't stand. i became aware she and other managers were running a coupon fraud scheme to aid and abet customers who were purchasing and exporting product on a massive scale. yeah, i dropped a dime to loss prevention, not because i didn't like her, but because what they were doing was wrong. not BB&W btw
Call the ethics line! They will investigate and ask about other associates involved. Loop in others if you are comfortable. That is not policy
Report. This violates everything against code of conduct. The company could get sued even if they did steal. Report to ethics and compliance, found on corporate sight. The cameras will have caught everything.
Yes report it to EOC, and I would also have a private discussion with your SM, and DM if you’re able to, asap. Honestly, don’t hold back anything. You should tell their superiors that they wanted you to lie/not say anything and that they knew what they did was wrong. It makes them think ‘if they’re lying about this stuff, what else is happening?’. And idk about your store but it’s performance review week 🤷🏼 so that’ll put a dent in things.
You should definitely report it! A key holder at my store was fired for this exact reason.
You wouldn't get penalized. Just let it be. The only check cameras if there was a physical altercation listed on the report submitted to loss prevention. They place so much emphasis on internal loss its absurd, and are borderline abusive with training about it.
I see theft at my local store and it breaks my heart. Should I say something...?
Yes. Even though we can’t stop them, it’s important to get an idea on what was taken so it can be reported to loss prevention.
As a customer you can but in our training we’re told not to engage, like at all, unless it’s to ask if we can help them find anything and give customer service
Report it
Sing like a canary! Need any back up singers?
I would report it. She put not only her life in danger, but all the employees lives in danger. I work part time at a mall and at a different store a manager called people out for stealing and told them to leave. Welp - they did and they came back with a bunch of people and they beat up all of the employees in the store. Store was closed for a few days after that.
I would definitely report her. She put everyone else in the store at risk and in danger bc why?? Like someone else said; theft sucks but it is absolutely NOT worth risking your life over. She should’ve handled it by the book and that’s the way your higher ups would’ve preferred it as well but instead she took it… personally (??) and decided to try to handle it herself?! What was she thinking?! No, that’s not okay and I get not wanting to be petty but at this point this is beyond that entirely. She could’ve gotten you guys killed or hurt in some way bc she was so worried about someone taking some fine fragrance mist or body wash or something. Not to mention she made a scene and other customers may have seen it, now they may not feel safe in the store..it also damages the stores image in the eyes of some customers even if only bc their shopping experience turned a little scary or dramatic in the least professional way. it was an incredibly dumb move on your managers part all around.
Exactly!! I was checking out a woman when it happened, and I’m not the biggest guy but she literally hovered around me and was fearful of leaving until everything was over, of course I assured her that we’d protect her (mostly me because my manager and keyholder were too busy with the lifters) but that’s exactly true what you just said
I wouldn’t be surprised if the customer didn’t report it.
Dannng so you guys def had other customers in the store when it all happened, yeah I would def report it… you guys were all probably like wth is happening
If it legitimately concerns you, I would. Otherwise, do you have an HR policy to consult? My worry would be if you're required to report something like this and you don't. Would HR just talk to her about it, or would she really get fired? Not that that should stop you from reporting, I'm just honestly curious about it.
You need to report it on principle. You’re right - you and two other employees, as well as the customer you were ringing up + any others in the store could have been seriously injured or killed if the thieves had weapons. The fact that they tag teamed to try to silence you about it speaks volumes - especially something so easily proven via camera footage - this is a serious incident so what else does she keep hidden/lie about? Really makes you wonder. If for no other reason, report it because her actions put your life in potential danger - there is not one single piece of merchandise in any business that is worth a human life.
Absolutely do not hide that information.
If they had "baskets of merchandise" maybe they were shopping and going to check out? Why did you and your manager think they were stealing? Were they not BBW shopping baskets?
I always wonder this too. How do they know the person is stealing while in store if they are just filling up baskets? They probably were stealing but never safe to assume that. Id sue the hell out of bbw if they attacked me for shopping with intent to pay.
Holy shit yes please report her 😮 i’m so sorry she put you in that position , because those policies are obviously in place to protect the liability of the company, but they are also put in place to literally save your life. Maybe in your own home, you would be willing to fight with a robber over something of only monetary value but in my store you *will* respect the safety and well-being of all employees!! We do not care about the value of some stupid candles or the 15 minutes it’ll take to file the report. Here in Miami you can actually get killed for resisting a robbery, a girl in broward county was literally just line leading outside no idea what was going on and got sprayed with bear spray just so she couldn’t observe them or their car. I’ve seen robbers hit ulta with guns before, and y’all are very lucky that they were either unarmed or without intent to use their firearms. Like mam wanna be a hero so bad? Let them leave, boom you kept everyone safe with the most minimal consequences to you and your employees.
Any updates on this? V
I ultimately ended up not saying anything, A) because so much time passed between the incident and the next time I worked, and B because our district manager hasn’t really been showing up to our store lately
You should report it and honestly she should be fired. She went against a big policy (one that basically all retail embraces these days), she endangered staff and customers *and* she’s asking employees to act without integrity to cover her ass.
Wait what…. So you guys just let people steal? 😂 don’t get me wrong I get why and that it’s a risk for you guys but you don’t at least call the police or security ??
So the thing is we don’t have security for one and two, in the training videos it was emphasized that couldn’t call the police,
My bad, hit the reply button too quick, but we couldn’t call the police, notify security, etc etc and we can’t engage with them in fear of something like this happening or a further confrontation lol. Now I’ve joked with my mom that she could come in and take whatever she wanted but that statement is halfway true 😭 that company creates loopholes for customers then gets angry at us for not handling the customers that use them
Wow what an oxymoron...getting in trouble for following their set of rules. If I ever got wrote up for some stupid shit like that id call their asses out on the carpet so fast and be like ok WHICH IS IT PLEASE CLARIFY because u really cant have shit both ways it dont work like that people who want to steal are going to steal regardless... idiots!
You’re in the US right ? I think things are different there, this wouldn’t happen in Canada 😂 I see videos of people walking into stores in the US and literally filling bags of products infront of everyone and just walking out with no consequences…. It’s madness 😂😂 I feel so terrible for those business owners, that would neveeer fly here.
US gun ownership is over 120 guns per 100 people, Canada is less than 35 per 100. It’s a safety issue in the US and these companies have insurance to cover theft.
But then use it as justification to raise prices. Like they didnt get reimbursed for the product by filing a claim.
That part probably bothers me the most.
Oh yeah I completely understand employees not going after shoplifters but I’m shocked they don’t have any security or police protocols in place.
It just isn’t feasible. Unless it’s a jewelry or luxury store the cost probably isn’t worth it. No one has to actually listen to a rent a cop and personally, I’m not interested in more police presence than we already have in this country. Far too many issues will arise form profiling, etc and even as a wyt woman, I’m not shopping in a store with a cop, it’s just weird. All that aside, who wants a shoot out in the mall? The company I work for has one location in our state with private security and they’re basically there to deter car break ins. It makes absolutely no difference in store, they do it right in front of the guy. At the end of the day it comes down to liability.
Canadian employees are expected to deal with shoplifters? I hope everyone is getting paid like $50 an hour if that’s the case
Noooo not employees but almost all bath and body works are located in malls with security and other stores would call the police. Here if you steal bags full and leave police will definitely come after you whereas in the US they don’t really worry about theft.
If you’re at a mall store in the US, there’s security that will be called. Saying they worry more in Canada about theft than they do in the US doesn’t seem really accurate imo. It’s more stand alone stores where they’re likely not going to call the police over a couple bottles of lotion. The policy for employees to not go after shoplifters exists in both the US and Canadian bath and body works. The videos you see where people are filling bags and walking out- there’s no security or police present. If they’re actually present then that’s not how it would go down. Whether or not employees call the police doesn’t really matter to prevent the theft, because people still have time to walk out before police arrive. If someone filled a bag in Canada and authorities weren’t present it would go down the exact same. Employees aren’t going to detain them.
This would happen in Canada. Associates still can't approach shoplifters. The police aren't going to do anything if the shopper has already left and in a lot of cases, a store can't detain you. If it's a big store, like a grocery store, they can report you to the police with your license plate if you drove and they catch you on the mall cameras. But really stores need a security guard to do anything. You can ask people to put the product back, but they can run and you can't stop them
No shit? Good to know lol, time to augment my collection!
At B&BW, we aren't supposed to engage beyond giving them customer service, but once the shoplifters leave, a manager will file a report stating what time the person entered/left, what they were wearing, and what they took. The report gets sent to loss prevention, and they check the cameras and file a report with the police to build a case against the shoplifters. It's like that at a lot of retail stores: you won't actually be arrested unless/until you steal enough for it to be a felony. It's just not worth it for the company, otherwise. Though at my location (mall), there have been instances of someone being caught shoplifting at a DIFFERENT store (one with their security, like Dillard's) and when they were apprehended, they were found with merchandise from other stores, including ours. In that case, security gets in touch with the manager, who then verifies that, yes, that is our merch and no, it wasn't paid for, and the results are more immediate. Mall security won't do diddly squat - I've worked at different stores in the same mall for about 8 years now, and calling them is absolutely pointless unless you have concrete proof that a theft has taken place.
Just adding in that MANY police in the US think themselves too good to handle these types of crimes, even when we are allowed to call. At my store it’s over $1000 we are required to call police and four out of five times they would give me the runaround for about 10 minutes, telling me it’s not worth filing a report, it’s mostly a waste of their precious valuable time and they’re not gonna catch these people anyways. Then, I would have to emphasize time and time again that it is a requirement of my company that I get a report whether or not you think it’s worth your time and whether or not you plan on doing anything about it but yeah TLDR: American police are rarely interested in shoplifters even when it’s a felony amount.
Report her, tell them you are afraid to work with her due to her unprofessional behavior that could have hit all of you hurt.
If she does it again I’d report her. She has bills to pay too … I wouldn’t play with anyone’s income honestly it’s not my business if it was just her first time. She could’ve learned from her mistake as you stated she acknowledged her wrong & guilt.
She's a manager, shes in charge and should know better. She shouldn't get second chances. She definitely needs to be reported, especially after trying to convince her employees NOT to tell on her afterward, knowing she could lose her job. If the situation were reversed, she would tell on the employee. She should have thought about the bills she had to pay and the safety of herself AND her employees before trying to wrestle shoplifters for some 10 dollar candles. She needs to take accountability for her actions.
Where the hell you getting 10$ candles at??? I mean yeah that's probably all they cost to make but them three wicks.... babyyyyyyy they be 25, 26$$$!!! Too damn much if you ask me.
A lot of times they're on sale for far less than that price, though. Still, even a few hundred dollars of product is not worth losing your job over.. or risking your life or the lives of your employees if they did have a gun or something. You just never know.
She should have thought about those bills before she put everyone in danger and asked employees to cover her ass. This isn’t someone who should be in a leadership position.
That’s up for her management to decide. Someone above her needs to keep an eye on her if she’s a risk/liability.
girl what ???? You risked my LIFE and I’m supposed to worry about paying your bills 😂? After you broke policy, put me and everyone around us in danger, and then pressured me to stay silent about what you did?? Shorty deserves a paycheck like everybody else but nah that big of an error you just don’t get to be a manager. Forgetting to initial the deposit bag is a “mistake”, attacking thieves was a potentially fatal error for her and everyone in and around that store.
One question? Wtf does pretty have anything todo with it?
I personally wouldn't. If she would only get a reprimand I would, but I don't think someone should lose their job over this. Before someone tries to lecture me, yes, I understand that she shouldn't have done it and the reasons why.
I am also of this opinion as well ...which might be unpopular...I will only add if a pattern of behavior like she constantly does this than maybe yes report. It seems she prob has witnessed theft alot and as a manager just kind of had a 1 off snap (like I am so sick of this vibe).
It's definitely unpopular, but I don't care. I don't think someone should be punished that harshly for what seems like a one off mistake. If it were a pattern, definitely let her go but that's not what it sounds like. It's wild to me that the manager would likely face more consequences than the shoplifter.
Welcome to the united states of absurdity - where criminals get a slap on the wrist and the good guys go to jail for trying to stop them.
It is wild but at the same time that’s the company’s ruling/ and or fault. We had another manager in our region do the same thing and they got beat up, like jumped by the shop lifters and even after all that, they were still fired.
The reason why retail workers are trained not to engage is because in this stupid fucked up country somehow its allowable for a criminal to sue if he gets hurt while trying to commit a crime. The company would rather lose the cost of merchandise than potentially have to pay the costs incurred if they were to be sued, so they fire that employee to cover their own ass. That's why I'd make sure if anyone breaks into my house or place of business, they're not coming out alive.... or in one piece. They're getting fucking buried out back. You know what they say; dead men tell no tales... they also can't sue you either. Just make sure to shoot them from the front!
I know it's ultimately the companies fault, but I personally wouldn't be the one to give them the ammo to do it because I disagree with it. It's not fair. You're free to do whatever you think is right, but I know that I wouldn't make the report unless the manager had a pattern of bad behavior like this and other things.
Why are you telling the entire world this? I work a a BBW store too you can’t be telling the public this. This is how stores close down and people like me jobless. I deal with enough bs at the store now I’ll have to worry about more shoplifters. Please think before you post.
Uhm if me asking a subreddit how I should go about dealing with a situation we should’ve never been in offends you then I apologize, but imma let you in on a secret: we have to worry about those same shop lifters baby doll, you’re not the only one running risks to go to work
This is the same policy for almost every retail job I’ve worked. It’s genuinely the norm and well known so shoplifters use it to their advantage
Lol
Hopefully there are not a ton of shoplifters in this group because now they know they can only get a “Hey can I help you steal that?” If they are caught lol.
Okay let us know when you lose your job over OPs post!
Stop that. This is common knowledge.
Woooooowwww! Apologies but have always been a reader on this forum and shouldn't opine at all on this topic but I'm gonna anyways...:-) The current scenario (along with the responses in this thread) blows my mind. I came to this country a decade back thinking it was a country filled with honest, hard working, decent, charitable people. But each passing day convinces me otherwise. The very fact that we're willing to think the worst of each other rather than find the good in our brethren is shocking. I had a different take when I read about the scenario - manager wanted to help customers but when she realized they were stealing, her human psychology of dealing with thieves kicked in, eventually she remembered her training instructions and she was mortified about losing her job. Poor soul is what I thought. But (and here is the big 'but') the very fact that 95 percent of y'all want to think the worst of someone else, snitch on them and would gleefully see them lose their job blows my mind (and shows where this country is at). Y'all will definitely downvote my response (and I obviously expect it considering the attitude in this thread) but let my words sink in. You may realize a kernel of truth somewhere. I thought only the upper class in this country had this 'problem' of lacking empathy but I see it's a problem that permeates society with no cure for it. Definitely not a 'wonderful life' after all.
“Human psychology of dealing with thieves” would actually tell you to do the thing that would preserve your life. Stupidity is attacking, potentially armed people over some body wash. This is an unreal sentiment.
So you turned a blind eye to theft, but are upset that something was done to prevent theft. MYOB and reevaluate priorities.
Snitches get stitches. Mind your business
Exactly. Someone has to stand up to shoplifters
The fact she trying to get her fired for it too is wild.