Retail employee explains why thieves aren’t worth stopping
Source: Getty
Kristy Nguyen (@asap.kristy) explained on a recent TikTok that she could have been fired if she tried to stop a criminal theft.
In the clip she says:
“I’m on a break right now and I’m sitting near the emergency exit door. There’s people there who usually sit here like people don’t steal.”
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Shen then began to lively share what happened next. Make eye contact and I’m not going to do anything, I’m on a break and besides, if you literally come and stop me, I’ll literally get in trouble and get fired. I let him go and in disbelief I was sitting here eating chips! “
Source: TikTok |@asap.kristy
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In the video’s text overlay, Kristy writes:
Source: TikTok |@asap.kristy
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TikTokers who saw the clip joined the conversation, with many sharing their own anecdotes and personal experiences, essentially reaffirming what Kristy said.
Source: TikTok |@asap.kristy
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“I have insurance. Karma will take care of everything.”
“All retailers tell us not to pursue.”
“Same policy at Aldi. Number of people running out with carts full of groceries.”
Some even pointed out the economic benefits of allowing customers to leave the store.
Source: TikTok |@asap.kristy
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“For those who don’t know, if a worker gets tragically injured, it’s cheaper for the company to let him out and then pay for his medical bills, and that’s why.”
Most major companies have insurance against these thefts. So there seems to be some truth to what the aforementioned TikTok user claimed.
Source: TikTok |@asap.kristy
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In dealing with potential lawsuits from perpetrators, or vacations or potential injuries that employees may suffer, the costs incurred in filing a claim for stolen goods can be much greater than I have. In other words, recovering items stolen by thieves is of no value to the company.
Source: TikTok |@asap.kristy
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Others spoke out, saying the employee was “clever” who didn’t get involved out of fear of what the thief was going to do. You may have been seriously injured.
Source: TikTok |@asap.kristy
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“Thieves don’t deserve your life!” another commenter voiced, further supporting Christie’s claim.
The National Retail Foundation estimates that as much as $9.45 billion in product was lost to theft in 2021. This staggering sum accounts for his 1.4% of total retail earnings.
Source: TikTok |@asap.kristy
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Local news outlet Kiro 7 highlighted the case as “why shoplifters are often not tracked down by retail staff.” In the piece, they tell of Elizabeth Pratt, who was apprehended by Staples employees and knocked down by a shoplifter who was trying to escape. /I haven’t been able to spend enough time with my husband in the retirement community.
Source: TikTok |@asap.kristy
Pratt had to be moved to another room to receive the care he needed after his fall. This kept her away from her husband and prevented her from performing other care tasks that had to be assigned to someone else.
