As we look at societal development, it’s essential to draw inspiration from the intricate workings of the human body. The synchronised movement of our left and right legs offers a powerful metaphor for the relationship between different aspects of development. Just as the movement of one leg dictates the next step of the other, various elements of society – including technology, economy, culture, shopping, banking and social welfare – must work in harmony to propel us forward.
Keeping that in mind, one struggles to understand the justification provided for the dual responsibility that modern day retail supermarket cashiers are expected to undertake. While both bank tellers and cashiers are professionals that interact with customers and process transactions, their responsibilities and expertise differ significantly.
Supermarket cashiers even in their training or preparation are not typically responsible for handling tasks like customer deposits, withdrawals or managing large amounts of cash. These tasks require specialised training and security measures that are unique to the banking industry.
So, how and why have retail Supermarkets evolved into pseudo banks and do the decision makers mind about the implications?
PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN BANK AND RETAIL SECTORS
In a bid to increase accessibility and convenience, banks are partnering with retail stores to offer banking services. This innovative approach is not only benefiting customers but is also driving foot traffic and sales for the retail stores.
Gone are the days of visiting a traditional bank branch during limited hours. Not only is banking 24/7 but due to the growing partnership between banks and retail stores, customers and ordinary citizens can now access banking services while they shop.
WIN -WIN
This partnership is a win-win for retail stores and the banks. With more customers visiting their stores for banking services, retail stores capitalise on the opportunity to promote their products and services.
So, essentially, these partnerships have become a central but added elements to these retail stores’ marketing campaigns. Sales no longer depend on how good their advertisements and promotions are, but also on the extent of partnerships they have with the banks. Retail stores that do not have this partnership are on the brink of collapse as sales have gone down in favour of these pseudo bank retail stores. These partnerships improve the brand images of said retail stores whilst their absence lead to a brand degeneration.
With banking services available at their local retail stores, customers can manage their finances while shopping, saving time and effort. The partnership between banks and retail stores is a growing trend and is set to continue. As banks look to expand their reach and retail stores seek to drive foot traffic, this partnership model is likely to become increasingly popular as retail stores will fight over the best deals that they can secure that will increase their revenue.
WINS TEND TO GO WITH A CORRESPONDING LOSS
In this discussion five elements are involved, the banks, the supermarkets, the bank tellers, the retail cashier and the customer.
Banks and Retail Supermarkets
As has already been explained, the bank and the retailer benefit tremendously.
It is less work for the banks and more revenue for the retail supermarket in the forms explained above but also in the form of service fees that charge customers – This is usually charged per transaction.
The Bank Teller
As the banking sector in South Africa continues to evolve, the safety and security of bank tellers remain a top priority. With the increasing threat of cybercrime, robbery and other security breaches, banks are taking proactive measures to protect their employees and assets. South African banks are implementing a range of security measures to safeguard their tellers and branches. These include advanced surveillance systems, alarms and secure storage facilities.
Bank tellers in South Africa also undergo rigorous training to prepare them for potential security threats. This includes training them on how to detect and respond to suspicious activity, as well as how to handle difficult customers and situations.
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has set some prudential regulations and guidelines that banks must follow to manage risks and protect their employees as well as assets. Banks are expected to provide a safe working environment.
In answering our question bank tellers benefit and lose at the same time. They benefit because a lot of work that they would have had to perform alone are shared with Retail supermarket cashiers. They remain in relatively secure environments that survive according to legislated banking standards. This, however, may have reduced the traffic in the appointment of Bank tellers as banks are finding a cheaper service provision tool in Supermarket cashiers. This is similar to the introduction of automatic teller machines (ATMs) and online applications in the banking sector and the difference is that Cashiers are human and may not have been prepared sufficiently for this role.
The Customer
The customer benefits and loses at the same time. The customer’s likely benefit have been stated above. However, their security is at stake as the standards provided at retail stores may be inadequate compared to banks.
The Retail Supermarket Cashier
The biggest loser in this game of billions is the retail supermarket cashier. Unfortunately, based on data available, cashiers lose completely.
Their security is not the same or even remotely similar to the ones at the banks. They handle huge amounts of money whilst they are provided with little protection against the rising tide of heavily armed robberies.
Unlike tellers, they do not have a bullet proof window covering between themselves and those who deposit or withdraw money. They are sitting on an ordinary chairs with absolutely no protective measures.
One can argue that if an ATM was a human being it would have been safer compared to a supermarket cashier because it can just discontinue as it wishes. A cashier’s life is at the mercy of an R1, R4, 9MM or AK-47 wielding, potentially blood thirsty robber that will stop at nothing to get the cash that they demand.
Cashiers do not have money counting machines or fake money detectors as it would be the case in banks but tend to face disciplinary action or even job loss due to errors in counting such monies. With their machines, bank tellers do this in a blink of an eye. ATMs can do this with ease as well.
Retail supermarkets tend to expect superhuman capacities from innocent, hardworking cashiers who have to count large amounts of such bank notes with no help. These employees don’t enjoy the same benefit of training around handling banking monies that bank tellers enjoy but are expected to perform with no fault.
IS THIS FAIR?
Let me pose a few questions.
As society rejoices with the positive elements of these developments, have you ever stopped to think about the differences in security protocols between bank tellers and supermarket cashiers?
Are cashiers not taken advantage of by a deal that benefits their employers and the banks?
Does this partnership not exist by benefitting banks (who don’t have to be worried about appointing more cashiers or providing safety and security) and employers/supermarkets (whose revenue increases) whilst sacrificing the lives of innocent cashiers?
Have you ever thought about how these developments may compromise the safety and security of a cashier at a supermarket and even an honest member of society (customer)?
A CASHIER’S LIFE IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT
I am not suggesting that we throw the baby away with the bathwater but I believe that an honest analysis and constructive approach to solving these challenges is necessary.The learned will always tell you to “treat your employees like partners and they will act like owners”. Providing their security, safety and welfare would put you on a good path towards realising this.
Cashiers Treated Like Breathing ATMs
As stated above, i believe that Cashiers have become human ATMs whose lives have been compromised. They have become unanointed bank tellers who do not enjoy similar or comparable benefits or working tools to their Teller equivalents at the banks. To what extent does this encourage cashiers to enthusiastically share the same feeling as the owners of these retail Supermarkets.
I’m sure we all agree that the value of human life is not negotiable. In the developments that we engage in we should always prioritise human life.
So, what can this bank-supermarket alliance do to protect cashiers lives and well being? The answer is simple: prioritise their safety and security, give them access to tools that are equivalent to the type of work that they are doing and give them equivalent benefits.
The Law Can Only Go To An extent
We should acknowledge what the legislative authorities are doing in South Africa. The Labour Relations Act (LRA) plays a vital role in protecting employee safety in the workplace. It reinforces the statutory duty of employers to provide a safe working environment for their employees, as outlined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Does the Bank-Supermarket alliance think it has prioritised the safety of cashiers and customers?
Employers must take reasonably practicable steps to ensure a safe working environment, free from hazards and risks. Employees have the right to fair labour practices, including a safe working environment, as enshrined in Section 23 of the LRA. This means that employers, by law, cannot and should not compromise on employee safety and employees have recourse if they feel their safety is being compromised.
The Compensation for Injuries on duty Act (COIDA) is another legislative attempt at protecting employees. But is it enough to protect a Cashier from risks on their lives?
South African law also prescribes that employers should not leave their employees vulnerable to acts of robbery and lack of safety. That on its own is a serious default that may lead to severe punishment for the employer. In addition to the financial implications, non-compliance can also damage an employer’s reputation and lead to a loss of trust among employees and society at large.
It’s not just a matter of statistics – it’s a matter of human lives. When supermarket cashiers are put in harm’s way, it’s not just their safety that’s at risk – it’s also their well-being and their families. These individuals deserve a developmental approach in modern societal tools that respects and protects their well being. A cashier’s life is equally important.
Adieus. I’ll listen on the radio!