Searched at store. Register Money

[diplomat]

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Just wanted an opinion. I work at a retail pharmacy chain that is known on here as the worst, I think you can all figure out which one it is. Anyway, they just implemented a new "policy" where everyone has to be searched on the way out of the building. Everytime I leave I have a manager patting down my pockets, looking in my pockets, looking in any bags I may have on me. Is this even legal?

Another thing that happened is after a day of work they called me and said, "the register was short 100 dollars." I told them to look at the tape. They said they did and a customer was blocking the view of the camera and they couldn't clearly see what I did with the money. What would you guys do or say? I called the Loss Prevention guy and he said he was going to look into it.

I am starting to hate working in fast food pharmacy.

 

[crazybob]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=713934

 

[Sparda29]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=713934

Not that thread again. Someone is gonna read renetto's post about the DEA having regulations about where a dumpster can be placed and a whole new ****storm will start.

 

[owlegrad]

Just wanted an opinion. I work at a retail pharmacy chain that is known on here as the worst, I think you can all figure out which one it is. Anyway, they just implemented a new "policy" where everyone has to be searched on the way out of the building. Everytime I leave I have a manager patting down my pockets, looking in my pockets, looking in any bags I may have on me. Is this even legal?

Another thing that happened is after a day of work they called me and said, "the register was short 100 dollars." I told them to look at the tape. They said they did and a customer was blocking the view of the camera and they couldn't clearly see what I did with the money. What would you guys do or say? I called the Loss Prevention guy and he said he was going to look into it.

I am starting to hate working in fast food pharmacy.

I didn't like being checked on the way out myself. It's demeaning. But the company does need to protect from employee theft. I don't think pocket checks are effective anyway, but they have to do something. Actually I guess they are effective because people do get caught. It is legal. Maybe not if they are actually patting you down (I don't think you have to let them touch you?) but they can require you to empty your pockets, open bags, pat yourself down, etc. You can refuse (they can't physically force you) but they can fire you if you refuse. As long as everyone is being subjected to the policy it is not so bad. I am curious what you think a better option would be? More camoras? Loss prevention officers stationed in every pharmacy looking over your shoulder the whole time? The company just accepting the loss and not trying to prevent theft?

On a side note, why don't hospitals seem to have this policy? Is their just less theft in hospitals?

The missing money issue is the worst, imo. I always hated when a register comes up short. Not much you can do in that case. In my experience these thing usually work themselves out. If someone is stealing they will get caught. If it's an error it is usually found out in a timely manner.

 

[mustang sally]

The pharmacy I worked at had signes all over that said, "Bag checks are the rule, not the exception." I never had anyone actually search me, but I guess it is legal (though demeaning).

I don't know what to tell you about the register situation...is it possible there was a void that never actually got voided? I would think that if you had worked there for a while, they would trust your character.

 

[Ackj]

I don't know what to tell you about the register situation...is it possible there was a void that never actually got voided? I would think that if you had worked there for a while, they would trust your character.

It seems odd that it's an even 100 missing, most transactions, in my experience, are not even amounts like that. $5 or $10 generics, some copays are $10,20,50, but things that are $50+ are rarely even values.

I'm not sure of your store policies, but my store we don't close out the register for change of shift/going on break. Could it be another worker on your register?

Also, if the customer is blocking the camera's view of the register, it seems like that camera has was poorly placed and needs to be moved. Only able to record clearly when there isn't a customer at the register? What's the point?

 

[samuricool]

If you are the person opening that day recount the drawer yourself when you get there to make sure it didnt start out short. If you get there later on then there is no way they can pin it on just one person. Or even if there is someone else there during the day that also handled the register they cant pin it on you, either.

As far as the policy, deal with it. Yah its a little demeaning, but until the sign out front says diplomatVS, or diplomatgreens, or where ever it is that you work its their rule and your duty to follow it as long as youre an employee there.

 

[J ROD]

Sounds like RA....resident advisor....or another RA....

 

[Old]

Just wanted an opinion. I work at a retail pharmacy chain that is known on here as the worst, I think you can all figure out which one it is. Anyway, they just implemented a new "policy" where everyone has to be searched on the way out of the building. Everytime I leave I have a manager patting down my pockets, looking in my pockets, looking in any bags I may have on me. Is this even legal?

Another thing that happened is after a day of work they called me and said, "the register was short 100 dollars." I told them to look at the tape. They said they did and a customer was blocking the view of the camera and they couldn't clearly see what I did with the money. What would you guys do or say? I called the Loss Prevention guy and he said he was going to look into it.

I am starting to hate working in fast food pharmacy.

My question is did 2 people in the office count it together and verify the total? If not, ask them if they could. I have had 2 front end managers that had bad financial problems and would steal money and blame it on front personnel and pharmacy. We always knew when they were going to steal when the creditors called them at work. if there is a problem they need to count it with someone or whoever rang on the register.

 

[diplomat]

My question is did 2 people in the office count it together and verify the total? If not, ask them if they could. I have had 2 front end managers that had bad financial problems and would steal money and blame it on front personnel and pharmacy. We always knew when they were going to steal when the creditors called them at work. if there is a problem they need to count it with someone or whoever rang on the register.

The whole thing is just really stange. I only worked 4 hours that day and the so called "money shortage" happened 15 minutes before I left. They called me the next day and asked me, "did you accidently put money in your pocket." And by the tone of their voices on the phone I could tell they already had their minds made up that I stole/lost the money. I asked them to review the tape and thats when the store manager replied that "the view was blocked." There were a total of 4 people on that register that day and they pinned it on me because they said there were only two 100 dollar transactions and on mine they could not see me because the view was blocked. When I got out of work I called the loss prevention manager, who was rude as all hell, and he told me he would look into it and get back to me next week. I know mistakes happen, mabye I dropped the money on the floor or whatever, I don't know, I know I'm not perfect. I just wish this retail giant would act a bit more professional when handling this type of incident rather than treating me like a theif. Utilizing video taped footage would be nice too.

 

[charfdorn]

The whole thing is just really stange. I only worked 4 hours that day and the so called "money shortage" happened 15 minutes before I left. They called me the next day and asked me, "did you accidently put money in your pocket." And by the tone of their voices on the phone I could tell they already had their minds made up that I stole/lost the money. I asked them to review the tape and thats when the store manager replied that "the view was blocked." There were a total of 4 people on that register that day and they pinned it on me because they said there were only two 100 dollar transactions and on mine they could not see me because the view was blocked. When I got out of work I called the loss prevention manager, who was rude as all hell, and he told me he would look into it and get back to me next week. I know mistakes happen, mabye I dropped the money on the floor or whatever, I don't know, I know I'm not perfect. I just wish this retail giant would act a bit more professional when handling this type of incident rather than treating me like a theif. Utilizing video taped footage would be nice too.

An even 100 dollar shortage happens only two ways: (1) not collecting payment on a $100 transaction or (2) putting $100 somewhere other than the drawer (your pocket, the floor, etc.), either on accident (unlikely) or on purpose (more likely). I'm not saying YOU did this. If four people are working the same till, ask them to prove it was you and not someone else. They can't. It's a 1-in-4 chance. That's why it's a terrible idea to have multiple people share money.

 

[owlegrad]

An even 100 dollar shortage happens only two ways: (1) not collecting payment on a $100 transaction or (2) putting $100 somewhere other than the drawer (your pocket, the floor, etc.), either on accident (unlikely) or on purpose (more likely). I'm not saying YOU did this. If four people are working the same till, ask them to prove it was you and not someone else. They can't. It's a 1-in-4 chance. That's why it's a terrible idea to have multiple people share money.

In my experience any even number discrepancy is almost always human error on the front offices part. Somewhere someone counted wrong or typed in a number wrong. It's relatively rare for someone to think they will get away with stealing cash from the register; it's much more common for someone to make an error setting up the register or counting it down.

 

[charfdorn]

In my experience any even number discrepancy is almost always human error on the front offices part. Somewhere someone counted wrong or typed in a number wrong. It's relatively rare for someone to think they will get away with stealing cash from the register; it's much more common for someone to make an error setting up the register or counting it down.

Oh, you're right. I guess I was assuming it was a legitimate shortage, which it doesn't have to be.

 

[diplomat]

It is just frustrating when the store manager tells me, "we couldn't see what you did with the money because a customer was blocking the view of the drop box at the time." There are literally 4 cameras there and he is telling me this?? 👎 The loss prevention supervisor told me he was going to look into it, I will keep you guys posted what he says. Now this is my next question. If the loss prevention supervisor comes back to me and says the same thing the front store manager says, "camera view was blocked." And they try to write me up, would you sign a write up?

 

[Its Z]

It is just frustrating when the store manager tells me, "we couldn't see what you did with the money because a customer was blocking the view of the drop box at the time." There are literally 4 cameras there and he is telling me this?? 👎 The loss prevention supervisor told me he was going to look into it, I will keep you guys posted what he says. Now this is my next question. If the loss prevention supervisor comes back to me and says the same thing the front store manager says, "camera view was blocked." And they try to write me up, would you sign a write up?

Did you steal the money?

 

[diplomat]

Did you steal the money?

Definitely did not steal the money. I just spent 8 years on/off in school, stacks of money in loans, about to graduate in may. Not losing all that for 100 bucks.

 

[Its Z]

You're one of the suspects if not the prime suspect of the theft. Better help them find the real thief by cooperating. Otherwise you can seriously jeopardize yourself. Then once they find the culprit, never work retail again.

 

[Its Z]

Interesting....so you have previous posts about your buddy getting arrested with MJ....then another schoolmate who got busted stealing a laptop...


Occurrences like these just follow you around??

 

[owlegrad]

It is just frustrating when the store manager tells me, "we couldn't see what you did with the money because a customer was blocking the view of the drop box at the time." There are literally 4 cameras there and he is telling me this?? 👎 The loss prevention supervisor told me he was going to look into it, I will keep you guys posted what he says. Now this is my next question. If the loss prevention supervisor comes back to me and says the same thing the front store manager says, "camera view was blocked." And they try to write me up, would you sign a write up?

I was gonna say something about this but deceided against it. I absolutely would not sign anything I did not agree with, period. If they want to write me up they better prove it was my error.

 

[crazybob]

I was gonna say something about this but deceided against it. I absolutely would not sign anything I did not agree with, period. If they want to write me up they better prove it was my error.

👍

OP, would there be someone you could talk to if you thought they forced you to sign it, or if they wrote you up without proof?

 

[owlegrad]

Oh, you're right. I guess I was assuming it was a legitimate shortage, which it doesn't have to be.

I wasn't trying to be disagreeable; you are correct given the shortage is a legitimate shortage and not an accounting error. I just wanted to point out that most often it turns out to be a bookkeeping error.

 

[charfdorn]

I wasn't trying to be disagreeable; you are correct given the shortage is a legitimate shortage and not an accounting error. I just wanted to point out that most often it turns out to be a bookkeeping error.

We're not having an argument. But thanks to the toneless text of the interwebs, it looked like we were.

Sometimes a cashier rings someone up, is about to ask for the money, and gets distracted by one thing or another and then lets the person leave. If this is a $100 transaction, oops, $100 short. That's probably what the management thinks happened, to hear the OP tell it.

 

[diplomat]

Interesting....so you have previous posts about your buddy getting arrested with MJ....then another schoolmate who got busted stealing a laptop...


Occurrences like these just follow you around??

Z. Thank you for taking the time to read my previous posts. The person who was arrested for marijuana at age 19, was and still is my good friend. He also is a great husband to his wife, a great pharmacist, a great father, and an overall good person, in my opinion. I'm sure you would probably be able to find faults in him. The person who stole the laptop also got arrested for marijuana when they searched his apartment with a search warrant. This person is not a friend of mine, only a classmate. Nice post though Z, you don't sound like a judgmental person at all. *sarcasm

 

[StevePerry]

It was the same person who got arrested for the marijuana and stealing the laptop. Not a friend, a classmate, year ahead of me. Nice post though Z, you don't sound like a judgmental person at all. *sarcasm

Sorry Diplomat, but Z forgot to tell you this:

 

[diplomat]

Sorry Diplomat, but Z forgot to tell you this:

What does that mean?

 

[Its Z]

What does that mean?

I have no idea as I never use that emoticon.

 

[crazybob]

I have no idea as I never use that emoticon.

 

[Sparda29]

We're not having an argument. But thanks to the toneless text of the interwebs, it looked like we were.

Sometimes a cashier rings someone up, is about to ask for the money, and gets distracted by one thing or another and then lets the person leave. If this is a $100 transaction, oops, $100 short. That's probably what the management thinks happened, to hear the OP tell it.

Yeah, I've had an incidence once with a check transaction worth over $300. The person gave me the check, I put it through the machine. I got distracted by a customer who was yelling like a maniac at her kids about some toys in the aisle and I put the receipt into the bin where checks go and I put the check into the customer's bag.

 

[Ackj]

Yeah, I've had an incidence once with a check transaction worth over $300. The person gave me the check, I put it through the machine. I got distracted by a customer who was yelling like a maniac at her kids about some toys in the aisle and I put the receipt into the bin where checks go and I put the check into the customer's bag.

Mistakes definitely do happen, hopefully the patient caught it and was honest about it, but that's not always the case. A few weeks back I rang someone up for ~50 or so, and accidentally hit the 'cash' button rather than 'credit.' I re-rang the order and then pushed credit (so they could actually swipe and pay), but of course the register was going to show an additional transaction that never took place. I made sure to document this and told the pharmacist I was working with what happened. It's probably a bit easier for management (or whoever counts the drawers) to see what my mistake was since they could see the identical transactions back to back. In your case, if you made a mistake and didn't notice and document, then they would have no way of knowing.

 

[diplomat]

A few weeks back I rang someone up for ~50 or so, and accidentally hit the 'cash' button rather than 'credit.' I re-rang the order and then pushed credit (so they could actually swipe and pay), but of course the register was going to show an additional transaction that never took place.

I would have done a refund for the cash than re-rung it for credit.