RiteWay to introduce mandatory bag checks for employees
RoadTown Wholesale which operate RiteWay food stores in the territory has communicated to its staff that starting May 1, all employees will be subject to enhanced security checks upon exiting the company’s premises, including buildings, stores, and warehouses.
The company said the move aims to tighten security measures and ensure the safety and security of company property.
The company’s management clarified that the procedure of inspecting employees’ bags, although previously a part of the company’s policy, was not strictly enforced.
Recent observations of staff leaving the premises without inspection have prompted the Loss Prevention, Security, and Management teams to reinforce and strictly apply these security checks as part of their routine exit procedure.
RiteWay’s management emphasised that the policy is not an indication of distrust towards its employees but a necessary measure to maintain safety standards and protect company assets.
The company urged all employees to cooperate with security personnel during these checks and inspections, reassuring them that the process is a standard procedure to ensure the collective well-being of the RiteWay community.
The company’s official communication to its staff outlined the scope of these security measures, stating, “At the discretion of management and/or the head of security, security personnel may conduct random searches to monitor compliance with rules concerning the safety of employees, security of company property, drugs and alcohol, and possession of other prohibited items.”
RiteWay’s comprehensive security policy covers potential inspections of employees’ work areas, lockers, personal vehicles, and personal items such as bags and briefcases. While the policy clarifies that requesting a search does not imply an accusation of wrongdoing, refusal to comply with a search request may result in disciplinary action.
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People are now forced to survive so the temptation is there to handle what is not theirs
This country is in a bad predicament and no one in the govt serms to care
Using thousands of dollars forFestivalmup and cannot find the means , time and need for tge urgency to raise minimum wage
No price control
More things will escalate
Money money money
Bringing back slavery one step at a time for the love of money. They still at $6.50 a hour? Hello the police & governor are responsible for security. If you have a problem with a employee stealing and have evidence call the police. dodos
Its hard to live on $6.50 per hour but do you think people should all just be paid based on their lifestyle regardless of their value to the business? There is real and theirs fairytale land, real is businesses being able to pay people based on their skillset, value etc. that they bring to the business. Fairytales is thinking you show up, clock in and the business pays you based on your bills and everyone lives happily ever after. The rude awakening for the BVI is on the horizon, keep it up.
“but do you think people should all just be paid based on their lifestyle regardless of their value to the business?”
Iv seen riteway employees with non-stop customers in front of them buying all kinds of expensive groceries. Constant value beyond the minimum wage.
If a small boutique can pay minimum wage imagine what the BIGGEST super market in the VI can pay if they wanted to.
@ hmm
Making minimum wage is a choice for most!
not a much of a choice in the bvi!
I’ve seen people finish college, university, high school etc and when they start looking for job in the bvi, they can only find low wage jobs
most times the jobs don’t correspond to their education level…
Some are BVlanders and can’t even get through with an entry level government job… always on hold
Most times a close family friend or relatives is chosen for goverment jobs even though they lack the criteria. Just take a look at all the board members we have around.
There may be higher paying jobs around but they are very hard to find for the skilled youths just ask them and see
What little planet do you live on? Did daddy and mommy make sure you never had to experience reality? That is quite an arrogant and twisted comment.
It’s a chain reaction; if they raise employee salary the cost of goods will go up.
RiteWay’s management emphasized that the policy is not an indication of distrust towards its employees but a necessary measure to maintain safety standards and protect company assets.
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Please. This is some double talk. Of course the basis of the policy has to distrust. If it was not an indication of distrust, there will be no need to check employees bags as they exit the premises.
One can expect this policy for the general public. That’s a common practice, but when you have to check your employees, that’s another animal.
Not surprised by the policy however. Unfortunately, there are people who have sticky fingers and steal from their employers. I have read too many stories of employees stealing from their jobs on this forum.
Bottom line: Riteway, IMO, suspects some of it’s employees of having sticky fingers but they just can’t say some of you are thieves, so this dress it up nicely to say we will be checking your bags but it’s not because we distrust you.
That’s like peeing on someone legs and telling them it’s rain.
I don’t blame the company. Too many sticky fingers in this place. For a so called Christian society, some have ignored the very bible they supposedly live by. I don’t care how hard life is in these Virgin Islands, be honest with your employer and those around you in general. Be honest with yourself.
Thou shall not steal.
People complain of the high prices of food items in the country all the time, and rightfully so. Some of us need to understand that when they steal from the grocery store, that leads to financial losses to the store which are passed on to customers in increased prices.
So the store has to do what it has to do including checking employees bags which is telling and quite unfortunate but apparently necessary at RiteWay.
It’s not distrust. It’s video evidence. Right way probably has footage of ppl leaving with stuff, and has taken the softer approach to deal with it
Well, if they have video evidence as you allege, then it seems they have all they need to report the theft to the police and have these people prosecuted.
What are they waiting for? More evidence? Report the matter, and get rid of that employee. They have all rights to terminate such person in that instance.
RTW has about 300 employees if I am not mistaken. It’s obvious that they’re noticing some things hence this new move. So what should they do if they notice things going ‘missing’ etc., just pretend it’s not happening? What do you think happens if there’s loss by way of theft whether by employees or customers? Prices increase and we all suffer!
You and I are on the same page Boo. I have answered your questions already.
Did you write this word salad while on the job getting paid?
It’s about time. People have businesses for a joke, they think businesses just make a ton of money and everyone gets rich. Nobody looks at the risks, losses and dishonesty that occurs at the hands of employees and customers. Who feels it knows it and those who blog and talk don’t own anything which is why they blog and talk all day. Doing business is hard, especially in the BVI.
Rite way the search needs to be done when u brining in these stuff u buy from the dollar store and over charging the people customs it’s time to stop and search for the prices that they spent on these products they looking for a third but they are actually the thief
Most of these island people are thieves
But fat boy in jail write and guess what he is from tola nit the island he got in the plane on his own counted the cash with his calculator on his own. Talk that
Of course. You’re correct. There are big islands and small islands. Some are even called by what flag they fail under. Isles of the Tommy’s and Isles of the Yankees.
I don’t see the reason for this to make the news as this is clearly an in house matter. Unless they are seeking an indirect way of drawing publicity, this making the news was not necessary. My opinion.
Nothing in the BVI is ever “in house”. People waste their lives spreading “news” and running to “entertainment” like Tola Radio with all heaps of nonsense as if they’re providing some sort of public service when in any kind of a civilized country this sort of stuff wouldn’t merit the blinking of an eye. Too many useless gossipmongers in this place trying to stir up discord to distract from their own general waste of a life.
First of all it IS an indication of mistrust which in itself is reality you cant trust people they steal things. searching bags and lockers inside the establishment is one thing, but forcing people to be subject to you searching their personal vehicle at any time that one sketchy… next thing you gonna want the right to search their house next. If you feel somebody stole your things call the police. I feel like some kind of line get cross here.
Y labour and immigration are not checking all those illegal philipino people that comes in the night to work who is not even on the books .
And getting away with it
Philipino rules in de all with the biggest job and biggest paid than the tolians. Only philipino work permit comes through in a flash when others have to wait for months
Years the staff have been stealing, through the front door, through the delivery team putting on extra boxes, the store putting meats and other high end items out the back for the “pig farmers” to collect, through cashiers not cashing all items. Theft is rampant and at the end of the day the honest consumer has to pay for it.
Riteway needs to give away them soon expiring foodstuff…
Some Employees will steal no matter how good you treat them as stealing is in their DNA.
Some Employees will do an Excellent Job whether they are rewarded or not. Honesty is in their DNA.
Employers must put certain Policies in place and must ensure that they are consistent and fair.
Employees want to get a fair renumeration for their services and if they feel like they are being cheated, that sometimes lead to temptation.
Employers must ensure that their Benefit Packages are worth-while for Employees to feel Valued.
Insurance…. Could be participatory
Bonuses.
Discounts.
Vacation Pay Structure.
Bereavement Policy.
Employment Loan Policy.
Family Fun Day.
Other Employment Incentives.
Make your Employees feel like they are Valued. A small percentage will always seek to steal no matter what. A SMALL PERCENTAGE.
Managers Must set Great or Honest Examples for their subordinates. etc. etc. etc.
RTW do not have the right to do what they’re doing. You have security cameras…USE THEM. You have ONE person watching security cameras for the whole entire RTW chain…rubbish. The place has gone to the dogs since Guy left the establishment.
Do they provide decent wages and salaries? If so, they wont be in this predicament. And those locals that sit in the office with their mouths shut and let those outsiders impose this foolishness ought to be a damn shame.
The staff should work together to demand a change from Northwest.
2 million a week and you giving your staff .10 cent raises.
Puhlease stop killing the people.
If it’s not distrust why check. Stupes
spawned an explosion in the BVI security business with guards, rent a cops, watchman, etc. on duty at banks, internet offices, resorts, marinas, large box stores, literally everywhere the public had legal access to the property of private companies during daylight and limited night time hours.
No surprise that security at RTW premises will increase for all their employees. The myth that the RBVIPF’s job is to prosecute employee theft continues among the ignorant. The police in the BVI are overwhelmed by the high level of indictable crime on all the islands and have no time to prosecute summary offenses for employee theft. The employer has the ultimate penalty for dishonest employees: dismissal with no benefits.
@TURTLEDOVE you can have a degree and will still be offered minimum wage. Survival is not a choice.
That is why raising the minimum by law is essential. If the minimum was $4 a hour big employers would say we cant afford to pay you more.
Ten Cent Raise
Is three ($3.00) dollars for a tin of Milk – so we need a lot of ten cents to buy a tin of Milk
Check the elites,,politicians and fam..leaving territory..they smuggling cash..in and out.
Sounds like a rights violation.