Coles' latest anti-shoplifting policy affects their own staff
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Coles supermarkets have doubled down on their strict anti-shoplifting policies, but this time the crackdown is affecting their own employees.
The retail giant has begun enforcing compulsory bag checks on staff when they finish shifts, claiming it will reduce theft. However, many are questioning the effectiveness and ethics of the controversial new policy.
This latest move builds on Coles' increasingly hardcore stance against shoplifting in their stores. Previously, they have introduced CCTV monitoring and equipped employees with body cameras—all in the name of stopping thieves.
But with the rising cost of groceries in a time of economic uncertainty, it seems Coles cannot trust its own workers. Employees must submit their personal bags for inspection when clocking off, or they risk being fired.
The change removes the previous policy where staff were only searched if specifically suspected of stealing. Critics argue that routinely checking everyone is ‘overkill’, especially as Coles employees are already among the lowest paid in Australia.
'The reason they are bag checking is because they know that their own workers are forced to think about stealing because they can’t afford food,' said Josh Cullinan, a representative of the Retail and Fast Food Workers Union.
The irony is that if Coles paid staff better wages, they'd be less incentivised to steal in the first place. Some have called out Coles for suspecting theft from workers they intentionally underpay. Especially as Coles was called out in June for underpaying staff by $25 million.
Coles maintains that compulsory checks are an industry standard practice, but some see it as profit-driven paranoia gone too far.
'I’m sure this has always been a thing? I worked for Coles as a teenager, and we would show our bags on the way out,' said one ex-employee, questioning if the policy is even ‘new’.
Whatever the case, Coles is determined to crack down on stealing from all sides. With Australians suffering rising costs of living, Coles apparently needs to squeeze every cent of profit it can.
The same profit-first mentality led to Coles shamefully being awarded a 2023 'Shonky Award' by consumer group CHOICE for 'cashing in during a cost-of-living crisis'.
Alongside fellow supermarket giant Woolworths, Coles earned condemnation for making over $1.1 billion in profit last year while raising prices on struggling consumers. Their unethical greed left a bad taste in Australians’ mouths.
While retail theft is undoubtedly an issue, perhaps Coles should reflect on its own actions first. What do you think, members? Do you think it’s standard practice for employees' bags to be checked after work? Or if Coles is underpaying its staff, should they be looking at their own actions? Tell us what you think in the comments below!
The retail giant has begun enforcing compulsory bag checks on staff when they finish shifts, claiming it will reduce theft. However, many are questioning the effectiveness and ethics of the controversial new policy.
This latest move builds on Coles' increasingly hardcore stance against shoplifting in their stores. Previously, they have introduced CCTV monitoring and equipped employees with body cameras—all in the name of stopping thieves.
Is Coles in the wrong here? Image source: Shutterstock.
But with the rising cost of groceries in a time of economic uncertainty, it seems Coles cannot trust its own workers. Employees must submit their personal bags for inspection when clocking off, or they risk being fired.
The change removes the previous policy where staff were only searched if specifically suspected of stealing. Critics argue that routinely checking everyone is ‘overkill’, especially as Coles employees are already among the lowest paid in Australia.
'The reason they are bag checking is because they know that their own workers are forced to think about stealing because they can’t afford food,' said Josh Cullinan, a representative of the Retail and Fast Food Workers Union.
The irony is that if Coles paid staff better wages, they'd be less incentivised to steal in the first place. Some have called out Coles for suspecting theft from workers they intentionally underpay. Especially as Coles was called out in June for underpaying staff by $25 million.
Coles maintains that compulsory checks are an industry standard practice, but some see it as profit-driven paranoia gone too far.
'I’m sure this has always been a thing? I worked for Coles as a teenager, and we would show our bags on the way out,' said one ex-employee, questioning if the policy is even ‘new’.
Whatever the case, Coles is determined to crack down on stealing from all sides. With Australians suffering rising costs of living, Coles apparently needs to squeeze every cent of profit it can.
The same profit-first mentality led to Coles shamefully being awarded a 2023 'Shonky Award' by consumer group CHOICE for 'cashing in during a cost-of-living crisis'.
Alongside fellow supermarket giant Woolworths, Coles earned condemnation for making over $1.1 billion in profit last year while raising prices on struggling consumers. Their unethical greed left a bad taste in Australians’ mouths.
While retail theft is undoubtedly an issue, perhaps Coles should reflect on its own actions first. What do you think, members? Do you think it’s standard practice for employees' bags to be checked after work? Or if Coles is underpaying its staff, should they be looking at their own actions? Tell us what you think in the comments below!
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