Cashiers reluctant to return to work after being arrested for taking tips

TRYING to make some extra money on the side while working as cashiers for Shoprite in Pelican Park saw eight casual workers arrested.

The contract workers said they had accepted tips from customers and were arrested after they were caught on camera taking the money. Shameez Towell said one of her regular customers gave her a R100 and she was called into the office and later arrested, along with seven others.

“I was told to go to the office and they said they have footage of us taking money from the till.”

Towell said the footage shown to them was of June 15 and they were not given a chance to explain that the money they took was tips. She added that after cashing up she was not over or under.

“They ask where the money was from. We were intimidated to sign a page to say we stole money, they said they won’t call the police. But when we left the office the police were there waiting for us and we stood in our canteen handcuffed for two hours.”

Her colleague Zara Grace said they were humiliated and although they needed the jobs, they did not see themselves returning to work for the company. A picket outside the branch saw around 30 people come out in support of the cashiers. Community leader, Eleanor Hoedemaker said although not many turned up, their message was received.

“I believe it’s a company policy, that the girls were not aware of that said they can’t take any tips from customers. But that is no way to treat people.”

She said the women were young and the youngest was 19 and they earned very little and that it why they accepted tips.

Shoprite said they were satisfied that the correct security procedures were followed in the matter.

“The law must now take its course. Shoprite is obliged to take action in order to protect its assets and therefore involved police to investigate suspicions of theft.”