Best Buy Employee Fired for Stopping Laptop Thief

[spleencat]

I think most of you guys are missing the point. The policy is not intended to protect the store from legal action by injured perps. It's intended to reduce liability for employees injured while attempting to stop a crime. Suppose BB had no such policy in this case. Kline attempts to stop the crime, but the thief manages to stab and kill him. Kline's family would surely sue BB. Should they get any compensation? After all, Kline was trying to protect the interests of the company. How can they be denied compensation?

 

[rasagul]

Best Buy has the right to determine its own rules for these things. While the punishment seems harsh, there are legal and liability issues here that justify the company's response. Folks may not like it, but that is the way it is. Sorry for the former employee, but he knew the rules.


HORSE CRAP!!! it's policy like this that is what is wrong with society today. It's like giving the loosing pee wee hockey team a trophy so they don't feel left out.Best Buy is more worried about a law suit from would be crooks than standing behind their own loyal employee.

 

[coldmast]

The real questions is: why was the rear exit locked, doesn't that create a fire hazard?

 

[omnimodis78]

As a former employee of BB, I can assure you that few other policies were as strictly adhered to as this one - and few were constantly drilled in our minds! We were very clearly explained and reminded time and time again that no matter if we see the theft with our own eyes, we are not to make any contact or verbal "accusations". Yes, we had procedures to follow, but it did not involve any hardcore stuff. This was put in place for many reasons, including our own safety. Can you imagine if this dude would have stabbed or shot that BB employee?! It may not make conventional sense, but it does make sense if the policy is actually examined. I once say a young dude steal a cable - I practically witnessed the poor rat sneak around and we all knew what he was about to - but he actually got away with it. It was a $29.99 cable that actually cost about $2 for BB (no joke), but imagine if I'd have gotten myself involved and the guy would have hurt me. That said, too bad that he lost his job - perhaps a suspension without pay would have been more appropriate.

 

[ProDigit10]

America is such a weirdo country!
In any other country the man would be hailed as a hero, but in the US, they prefer to encourage theft!

 

[Guest]

I worked a best buy a while ago, this is common knowledge. You could get hurt, they could get hurt, company could get sued. Don't interfere, also, this is why they have those yellow LP (lost prevention) people up front, who know the same thing.

 

[omnimodis78]

[citation][nom]coldmast[/nom]The real questions is: why was the rear exit locked, doesn't that create a fire hazard?[/citation]
They are fire exits. They automatically unlock if the fire alarm activates. It's tested regularly as dictated by bylaws.

 

[chick0n]

so does that mean I can just walk into any best buy and start stealing? they will not get me right ?

Thank you Best buy, I will be come a millionaire in no time.

 

[Guest]

US has less than 5% of world population, 70% of world's lawyers, and 94% of world lawsuits.

 

[chick0n]

oh almost forgot I also gotta thank you to all the stupid law makers/liberals/whatever court order has. This country is great ! you can steal and no one will stop you !!!!

 

[COLGeek]

[citation][nom]rasagul[/nom]Best Buy has the right to determine its own rules for these things. While the punishment seems harsh, there are legal and liability issues here that justify the company's response. Folks may not like it, but that is the way it is. Sorry for the former employee, but he knew the rules.HORSE CRAP!!! it's policy like this that is what is wrong with society today. It's like giving the loosing pee wee hockey team a trophy so they don't feel left out.Best Buy is more worried about a law suit from would be crooks than standing behind their own loyal employee.[/citation]

Your logic is flawed (the trophy analogy). There is no reward to either the perp or the former employee. If you speed and are pulled over, you should expect a ticket. If you violate a companies rules, you should expect to be punished. Why is that so hard to acknowledge?

 

[doive1231]

Really, it's an open door for masked raiders to walk into the shop and steal as much as they can. Nobody's going to stop them.

 

[Zeh]

For those who cannot understand why BB has this rule, a hint:
It's way cheaper to lose two computers than it is to have an employee killed.

 

[dark_lord69]

They are not allowed to stop thiefs because the employees could get shot. There is no telling what a criminal will do. It's best that the store just call the insurance company to claim the theft than to endanger an employee's life.

That being said if I was in charge I wouldn't let him be fired. I would also change the policy to say that if someone is stealing and you feel compelled to stop them then you are free to do so but you are doing it at your own risk and you are not required or encoraged to stop theft (due to the risk of personal injury.) No rewards would be given to employees that did stop someone to discourage them from trying it.

It's f*cking stupid to think that an employee can walk out the store with something stolen and the store manager would practically open the door for you as you walk out with stolen items.

It's things like this that make me hate our country. I say all employees should be required to physically jump a thief and kick his ass. Then the brused and bloody crook would be handed over to police who would book him for theft. In this sick, sad country the cops would arrest those people that kicked his ass. In the old days cops wouldn't think twice about take a thief away even if you did kick his ass the cops would just tell him he got what he deserved. Now if you try anything he can sue you and you can end up in jail instead of the real criminal, it's completely f*cked up!

 

[COLGeek]

I shall bow out of this argument for now. You either get why the guy was fired, or not.

I was taught "if you break it, you buy it". The former employee "broke it" (the rule) and he "bought it" (was terminated).

Pretty simple and all of the anger, exasperation, disagreement with this event won't change the facts of what happened and why. For those who make the "only in the US" argument, you are woefully uninformed. These business practices are common throughout the world.

Enjoy your BB bashing (BTW, I think there are a couple of Apple threads to have fun with as well).

 

[brianfulcher15]

thinks this is funny since used to store owners could shoot you for stealing.

 

[SoiledBottom]

After being fired Mr. Kline picked up 2 Laptop computers and ran out the front door of Best Buy to the applause of his former co-workers

 

[brianfulcher15]

[citation][nom]omnimodis78[/nom]As a former employee of BB, I can assure you that few other policies were as strictly adhered to as this one - and few were constantly drilled in our minds! We were very clearly explained and reminded time and time again that no matter if we see the theft with our own eyes, we are not to make any contact or verbal "accusations". Yes, we had procedures to follow, but it did not involve any hardcore stuff. This was put in place for many reasons, including our own safety. Can you imagine if this dude would have stabbed or shot that BB employee?! It may not make conventional sense, but it does make sense if the policy is actually examined. I once say a young dude steal a cable - I practically witnessed the poor rat sneak around and we all knew what he was about to - but he actually got away with it. It was a $29.99 cable that actually cost about $2 for BB (no joke), but imagine if I'd have gotten myself involved and the guy would have hurt me. That said, too bad that he lost his job - perhaps a suspension without pay would have been more appropriate.[/citation]


the guy couldent even run out the door... without falling... hes more a danger to himself than someone trying to stop him from stealing.

 

[acadia11]

Stop politicizing, lawyers work for conservatives and liberals alike. This has .... to do with liberal or conservative, so give it a rest already.

 

[brianfulcher15]

also... though bestbuy does this too becuase they have insurance to pay for stolen property... they pay the same for it regardless of whats stolen so why get involved