Walmart is piloting the use of body cameras for store-level associates at select U.S. locations to improve worker safety and deter conflict. While the technology is commonly used in law enforcement and some retailers for loss prevention, Walmart aims to use it primarily for employee protection. The pilot program, currently being evaluated, involves warning shoppers about the presence of body cameras at entrances.
The tech, widely deployed in law enforcement, is now being expanded into retail to help deter conflict and prevent theft.has started giving store-level associates body cameras to wear as part of a pilot program at some of its U.S. locations, CNBC has learned.
In a document titled"providing great customer service while creating a safer environment," staff are instructed on how to use the devices, according to a photo of the document posted on an online forum for Walmart employees and customers. It instructs employees to"record an event if an interaction with a customer is escalating" and to not wear the devices in employee break areas and bathrooms.
However, it's unclear whether body cameras actually help to deescalate conflict. Appelbaum, whose union does not represent Walmart employees but includes staff from retailers such asand H&M, said the RWDSU is concerned that body cameras are more about surveillance and deterring theft than making employees safer.
"There's a claim that the body cams are going to promote deescalation just organically. We don't think that's true," said Agustin."You see a lot of violence against workers already at the self-checkout kiosks when they even are attempting to ... there's a potential that this might hurt that ... it also could provoke people.
"With these people, when they're in our faces and they're acting like they're going to hit us or they're making threats to meet us in the parking lot, they're not thinking rationally," said the former mall employee, who spoke on the condition of anonymity."Even with a camera facing them, I don't think they would care in the moment."
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