Walmart staff have started donning body cams in a contentious trial happening at some locations across the States.
Customers have clocked warning signs at the shops’ front doors, with workers spotted sporting yellow and black recording gadgets. One such instance was seen at a store in Denton, Texas.
A spokesperson for Walmart has owned up to the test phase, stating: “While we don’t talk about the specifics of our security measures, we are always looking at new and innovative technology used across the retail industry.”
“This is a pilot we are testing in one market, and we will evaluate the results before making any longer-term decisions.”
The idea behind these cameras is to keep the workforce safe by capturing run-ins with patrons, especially when the stress is cranked up during festive periods. But not everyone’s on board with this move, reports the Express US.
Stuart Appelbaum, the head honcho of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, hit out: “Workers need training on de-escalation. Workers need training on what to do during a hostile situation at work. The body camera doesn’t do that. The body camera doesn’t intervene.”
Bianca Agustin, who co-runs United for Respect, piped up as well: “There are already cameras in stores…body cameras alone are no substitute for proper training.”
Walmart employees will now be wearing the cameras in certain stores (Image: (Image: Getty))
Agustin also highlighted worries that the stark sight of cameras on Walmart colleagues could “provoke people” more than it might assist.
Retail analysts have expressed conflicting views, with David Johnston of the National Retail Federation maintaining: “The moment that you see yourself [on camera] is probably when you’re going to change your behavior.”
Walmart has followed in the footsteps of TJX Companies, the conglomerate behind TJ Maxx and Marshall’s, who have seen a downturn in untoward events due to their trials.
“The presence of body cameras derives an effect similar to a de-escalation tactic,” commented TJX’s financial head John Joseph Klinger. “People are less likely to do something when they’re being videotaped.”
It’s still up for debate whether Walmart workers feel more secure as a result.
A past retail employee remarked: “When they’re acting like they’re going to hit us…even with a camera, I don’t think they would care in the moment.”
