Criminals Need Not Apply: Loblaw Cos. is “weeding out prospective employees”
who have criminal records as one part of a strategy to tackle a problem of an
estimated $1 billion worth of goods “disappearing from stores because of theft
or mismanagement,” according to the Toronto Globe and Mail.
Loblaw is the largest operator of supermarkets in Canada, with about 1,500
stores that operate under a variety of names. Thus far in 2008, Brampton,
Ontario-based Loblaw has rejected 7.5 percent of people applying for jobs
because they had criminal records, according to the article, which quotes COO
Dalton Philips. Boosting employee engagement also is on Loblaw’s agenda. Philips
reportedly wants to reverse “massive” turnover by offering training to
employees, as well as introducing a 10 percent employee shopping discount aimed
at boosting their engagement and inculcating an attitude of stewardship.
Loblaw is one of Canada’s largest private employers, with nearly 140,000
full-time and part-time workers. Loblaw’s operating profit is on a downward
slide, though, triggering its stock price to plunge from $50 a share last summer
to about $30 a share in February.
= Member Only
