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A number of line staff at Coconut Bay Resort have described as “disrespectful and discriminatory” a recent move by their employer to give them transparent bags to use at the resort, but a spokesperson for the Vieux Fort resort said this is a “universal” anti-theft measure to stem thousands of dollars in losses – and was sanctioned by the Labour Department and one of the largest unions on island.
Several employees contacted St. Lucia News Online (SNO) last week and noted that male and female department line staff were given the bags on Wednesday, June 7 when they arrived at work. They complained that, that was the only bag they were allowed to “come to work with”.
“We feel it’s disrespectful and discriminating to the staff. We, especially the ladies, feel disrespected to have to walk the streets with this peace of s–,” one staff member said.
“We were first told to come with small bags and then they came with those,” the employee added.
The employees said hey are being searched when leaving work and “nothing was said to us, as to why we have to wear that bag to work”.
However, Darnley Lebourne, public relations manager at the resort, told SNO that the new measure was introduced in light of the fact that the company loses thousands of dollars each year due to theft.
Lebourne said the accumulative cost for the theft of small items such as soap, toothpaste, rags, and food items is significant because it adds up.
He noted that persons have been stopped at the gate trying to leave with raw and cooked chicken nuggets, and many other items.
The resort has also lost money due to the theft of larger items such as televisions.
He said the new measure is simply an attempt to cut losses, but he pointed out that there was consultation with the Labour Department and the National Works Union before this policy was implemented, and the two organisations were “comfortable” with it.
Lebourne said some hotels around the world have adopted a similar measure.
“The use of these bags is something that’s universal,” he said. “It is obvious why it is so…. What is even more critical is that this was not done arbitrarily.”
Lebourne said he understands that some people are uncomfortable with the new policy but he pointed out that no one is obligated to walk the streets with the bag.
He said they can carry the bag in a black nylon bag, for example, then switch-over once they arrive at work.
The PR manager also noted that the bags come with a pouch, in which women can store personal items such as sanitary napkins.
“It’s just for in and out of property… The hotel cannot force you to go the hotel and go home with the bag,” he said, emphasizing that it’s for use on the resort’s property.
Employees admit that they are aware that the resort is being plagued by a theft issue, but they pointed out that the main items that are being stolen will not fit in the new bags.
“Flat screen TV don’t fit in bags, DVD players don’t fit in bags, bed sheets and pillows don’t fit in bags,” one employee said.
“The top men and women, they are the ones stealing from the company. Not the poor line staff. Not the underpaid staff.
“Managers are allowed with their vehicles on property and their big bags. And what’s killing me is that they don’t stand for us for anything the boss come up with,” the employees further alleged.
Lebourne concluded that while he notes the concerns, the resort has been very generous to its employees, giving them multiple benefits.
One employee, who is aware of the complaint, contacted SNO and defended the company’s policy.
“It is their fault. Many times I see my fellow workers leaving with stuff and we talk to them, they don’t listen, telling me ‘oh they won’t know’ because the company rich. They must understand it is a business and they are not only stealing from the boss but from themselves. If the company shut down because of losses whose gonna lose too? I have no problems with the bag. I carry the pouch in another bag until I reach work,” the employee explained.
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