Dogs in vehicles and crimes being commited

[Kelownabusinessman]

I spoke to a young male who works at Wal-Mart here in Kelowna, he told me that while on break or pushing carts the staff aren't allowed to call 911 if there is a dog in a vehicle or a crime being committed, the only way the police can be called is if a customer complains. I personally think it's pure stupidity not allowing the workers to contact emergency services when there is an emergency.

[Always Sunny]

I spoke to a young male who works at Wal-Mart here in Kelowna, he told me that while on break or pushing carts the staff aren't allowed to call 911 if there is a dog in a vehicle or a crime being committed, the only way the police can be called is if a customer complains. I personally think it's pure stupidity not allowing the workers to contact emergency services when there is an emergency.

I could call the animal cruelty hotline or RCMP. If my employer asked why I'd say "some guy asked me to, but he's gone now".

[oneh2obabe]

If an employee notices a dog or child in the car they let loss prevention know - LP will notify the police and/or the SPCA and monitor the situation until the authorities arrive.

[Veovis]

Phone number would be used in the report for official purposes if you wanted a report that would stick.

Then your employer would know that you were using your personal phone on company time, which will be the actual reason employees can't make calls, the use of personal phone on company time, not because they hate animals.

Not that I don't think it should be called in, but making the reasons why they aren't calling it in (not why) makes a different story.

[Swoop]

Phone number would be used in the report for official purposes if you wanted a report that would stick.

Then your employer would know that you were using your personal phone on company time, which will be the actual reason employees can't make calls, the use of personal phone on company time, not because they hate animals.

Not that I don't think it should be called in, but making the reasons why they aren't calling it in (not why) makes a different story.

...it would only further corroborate their story they were actually calling the police about a dog in distress or a crime in progress - and not calling their boyfriend/girlfriend on company time...I would think this has more to do with potential for liability issues rather than an employee wasting company time...

[oneh2obabe]

Employees on their coffee or lunch break are certainly allowed to use their cell phones to call anyone they want.

[Always Sunny]

Employees on their coffee or lunch break are certainly allowed to use their cell phones to call anyone they want.

And...???

That doesn't help much when you're witnessing a crime or an animal/kid in a car. Damn, I would have called but I just got back from break. That's ok though, my lunch is in two hours.

[Swoop]

Employees on their coffee or lunch break are certainly allowed to use their cell phones to call anyone they want.

And...???

That doesn't help much when you're witnessing a crime or an animal/kid in a car. Damn, I would have called but I just got back from break. That's ok though, my lunch is in two hours.

...I believe oneh2obabe was referring to this part of the OP story...

I spoke to a young male who works at Wal-Mart here in Kelowna, he told me that while on break or pushing carts the staff aren't allowed to call 911

[Always Sunny]

Everywhere I've ever worked...

Breaks (coffee/smoke) are paid, and on company time. Lunches are unpaid and therefore not on company time. So if you're on a paid break, I could see how this rule could apply just the same as pushing carts.

ETA: not that I agree with the rule necessarily, simply that a paid break may fall under the same rules as any other time of the day you're being paid.

[Swoop]

Everywhere I've ever worked...

Breaks (coffee/smoke) are paid, and on company time. Lunches are unpaid and therefore not on company time. So if you're on a paid break, I could see how this rule could apply just the same as pushing carts.

...are you allowed to use your phone at coffee time?...

[oneh2obabe]

...are you allowed to use your phone at coffee time?...

Yes they are.

[Always Sunny]

Everywhere I've ever worked...

Breaks (coffee/smoke) are paid, and on company time. Lunches are unpaid and therefore not on company time. So if you're on a paid break, I could see how this rule could apply just the same as pushing carts.

...are you allowed to use your phone at coffee time?...

Irrelevant. I don't work at Walmart.

All I'm stating is that if you're on the clock and getting paid, an employer could set limitations on such things as there could be a liability issue there.

[Swoop]

*snip*
Irrelevant. I don't work at Walmart.

All I'm stating is that if you're on the clock and getting paid, an employer could set limitations on such things as there could be a liability issue there.

...which is what I stated in my first comment on the subject - it's a liability issue...

[oneh2obabe]

And...???

That doesn't help much when you're witnessing a crime or an animal/kid in a car. Damn, I would have called but I just got back from break. That's ok though, my lunch is in two hours.

Every employee should have LP's phone number - all they have to do is call them and report the crime or dog/child in car and that department will take it from there. If they don't, they have them paged, stop by the office or get another employee to call.

[KL3-Something]

Stupid rule.

Walmart sucks.

Yet again.