Overheard in the mall today...

[sanchopanza65]

So I went to the local mall for part-time job hunting, and I just happened to overhear, what I hope to be future co-workers dealing with various situations.

1. The used clothing store that I applied at had a couple of shoplifters right after I handed my application in. The police caught them right away, and it seems that Fingers McGee's friends gave her up right away.

2. At the chain book store I applied at, two kids had been waiting for their parents for hours. The staff made the usual comments about how the place was not a day-care and such, and actually referred to the kids as "Hansel and Gretel". It really would have been cute if it weren't horribly negligent.

[wagegoth]

2. At the chain book store I applied at, two kids had been waiting for their parents for hours. The staff made the usual comments about how the place was not a day-care and such, and actually referred to the kids as "Hansel and Gretel". It really would have been cute if it weren't horribly negligent.

This is when the police should be called. It's dangerous for the kids and can make the store liable for anything that happens to them.

[PepperElf]

yeah cos.... sure the employees can try telling the parents "no" but... they won't listen.

but they will damn well listen to the cops when they get a siting. and it makes a paperwork trail to prove their unfit parents

[bainsidhe]

This is when the police should be called. It's dangerous for the kids and can make the store liable for anything that happens to them.

Not all companies allow stores to call authorities if the kids aren't in immediate danger. You can suck as a parent, but the stores won't call you on it because it's "bad business". Employees can be written up and terminitated for calling. Yeah, I know that sucks. Which is when your regular Joe citizen picks up a cell phone and calls the cops. Can't fire your customers, after all

[wagegoth]

Not all companies allow stores to call authorities if the kids aren't in immediate danger. You can suck as a parent, but the stores won't call you on it because it's "bad business". Employees can be written up and terminitated for calling. Yeah, I know that sucks. Which is when your regular Joe citizen picks up a cell phone and calls the cops. Can't fire your customers, after all

However, in many jurisdictions, failure to report a crime is a crime. Your boss can tell you, "No," but you can call on your break away from the business.

[PepperElf]

come to think of it, here at my local mall... if it's friday or saturday after 1600, then the kids would be escorted by security to their parents... or be forced to leave.

(tho it also means, it's best to get to the mall before 1500 if you want to avoid the traffic rush headed out, or after after 1630...)