RiteWay staff disgruntled over security search policy & meagre pay raise
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One of the issues that have upset staff of the supermarket chain is the recent letter by management informing staff that effective May 1, 2024, they are to submit their bags for inspection by security upon exiting buildings, stores and warehouses.
Another issue is a pay raise that has not appeared to have made staff any more satisfied.
Security check/inspection of staff
It was on April 10, 2024, that a letter to staff by Riteway’s Loss Prevention and Security Manager notified staff of the security check policy being enforced.
According to the email seen by our News Centre, employees undergoing regular random checks/inspections has always been a part of the company's policy but somehow was never enforced.
“Staff are observed exiting buildings/stores/warehouses etc, carrying their personal bags with them, without any inspections carried out upon them/their bags. This has prompted the Loss Prevention/Security/Manager to revisit the policy set and get back to the basics by reintroducing the procedure(s).”
According to the email, “Not everyone will be happy as this was never a part of an everyday practice. It is nothing personal guys...”
The email also made it clear that an employee “should NOT refuse” a security check/inspection upon request.
According to the Security Policy of Riteway, at the discretion of Management and/or the Head of Security, Security personnel may conduct random searches from time to time or if there exists a valid, work-related reason for the search. Any employee may be subject to a search of their personal belongings while on duty or upon leaving any RTW controlled location. The Company reserves this right in order to monitor compliance with rules concerning the safety of employees, security of company property, drugs and alcohol, and possession of other prohibited items.
The policy also states that an employee who refuses to submit to a search request by the Company may face disciplinary action.
Meanwhile, the matter has also caught the attention of the Minister for Labour, Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE, who said on a local radio station that she has already reached out to the management of Riteway and it has agreed with her that the letter on the security matter was not appropriate.
Pay raise fails to satisfy staff
Meanwhile, Riteway staff have been complaining about a recent raise given to employees.
According to one of the staff members who spoke to our News Centre on condition of anonymity, the pay raise included $0.13, $0.25, and $0.27 per hour.
“The cost of living has increased and a certain percentage of the British Virgin Islands live off of minimum wage which makes it impossible to live comfortably,” a staff member of Riteway stated.
Up to time of publication, Riteway had not responded to our request for comment.
Riteway, a chain of supermarkets, was sold by its founder, the later Peter Haycraft, to The North West Company Inc, in 2016. North West is a Canadian-based public retailer that specialises in serving smaller countries and regions.
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36 Responses to “RiteWay staff disgruntled over security search policy & meagre pay raise”
Also, the quality of goods from these supermarkets are way below average and sometimes most of the stuff are EXPIRED!
RiteWay Food Market Company has the right right to protect their invested interest, but $0.13, $0.25 and $0.27 raise according to the Topic Issue, and the compulsory search of all staff workers, seem to excessive
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There are business owners know that the salary paid to most of their employees are unfair. Those Companies owners have fear in their mind, and sometimes justifiable so, that a total of all their staff will solve the theft problem, but it will not. A live and let live will, not a disrespectful search.
"Do until others as you would have them do until you". In spite of the theft and other opinions that we favor, problems of this type and others will continue, because human by nature is a greedy minded creature. Colour of skin, place of birth, gender, religion, education and others philosophical difference have nothing to do with it. People are greedy by nature.
Notice though, the said Company's name is RITEWAY, not the right way. I hope that a fair settlement will be reached by RITEWAY and staff workers on this matter, speedily and fair
I TOTALLY AGREE WITH MANAGEMENT. THAT WILL PUT A SPOKE IN THEM WHEEL.
RESTAURANT WORKERS BAGS NEED TO BE SEARCH WHEN LEAVING TOO.
THE TWO (2) WIRDT THING ON EARTH IS A LIAR AND A THIEF.
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