Some Walmart Staff Now Equipped with Body Cameras
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In a move aimed at protecting staff in tense customer interactions, Walmart has begun providing select employees at certain U.S. stores with body-worn cameras. When a situation with a shopper starts to heat up, the employee can switch on the device, creating a record of the encounter. Company leaders hope this visible measure will help keep people calm and prevent hostile behavior.
Beyond cameras, some workplace advocates are pushing for additional safety steps, including emergency alerts for staff when things get rough. The cameras, though, are viewed as a first layer of security, capturing evidence and encouraging more respectful behavior on both sides of the counter.
Still, there are doubts. Critics wonder if a camera’s red light will actually deter someone who’s already upset. Even so, many in the retail world see this as a useful experiment, one that just might lead to safer experiences for everyone on the shopping floor.
