News pundit claims that a proposed new law would make it 1) “illegal for store employees to confront shoplifters”, and that 2) “it is legal to shoplift” in California.
What can we make of these claims?
News pundit claims that a proposed new law would make it 1) “illegal for store employees to confront shoplifters”, and that 2) “it is legal to shoplift” in California.
What can we make of these claims?
Does the proposed bill apply to retail employees only or employees of all kinds? I see how it makes sense to protect people like cashiers by NOT telling them to jump out in front of an active shooter and shield customers with their bodies, but what about private security/loss prevention? Say, police already do not have a duty to protect anyone in particular. If you are hired and trained as a security guard and then refuse to stop any shoplifters, does it mean you cannot be fired for that under this bill?
The section referring to the shoplifting mentions specifically all employers. So that would include anyone.
There is a very important note though. There was an update to the line to include dedicated safety personnel when it comes to dealing with suspected shoplifters or active shooter:
I imagine that this is mostly to keep safely in mind without forcing standard employees into action. Being a dedicated safety personnel most likely applies to positions like a school body guard that isn’t a police officer or someone handling security for something like an armored truck. Someone who is working as dedicated safety personnel could get fired for failing to act. A regular employee would not be fired in the same situation: at the very least legally speaking.