Walmart cashiers wearing gloves?

[Misstika]

Hi everyone, just curious about others opinion. A few times when visiting walmart, cashiers were wearing gloves. I asked what was the reason for doing so, and they did not want to say. I'm sure its for "avoiding" illnesses but wearing gloves all day without handwashing won't help. I feel as if there's a greater chance of getting an airborne illness. How do you all feel about wearing gloves as a cashier? I somewhat find it annoying and offensive. I feel as if having hand sanitizer at each counter would suffice.

[Wuzzie]

angel0309 said:

Current Walmart Cashier here, a lot of my coworkers wear gloves because meat (especially chicken) tends to leak and probably about 85% of people don't put their meat into bags. If some of those lovely chicken juices get on your hands, you're stuck ringing up people's clothes and other food items with your chicken covered hands, since when you call someone to relieve you for a restroom break it can take upwards of 15 minutes. However, if you're wearing gloves and you get chicken juices on your hands, you can just change out your gloves and not spread the juices to other items.

Well now that's smart!! Thanks for clearing this up for us. Too bad you have to get exposed to such grossness. Well that and boob juice.

[vhost66]

I have seen clerks in stores other than Walmart wearing gloves. I believe it is to protect them from contact with drugs. Some of highly potent street drugs can be lethal. Clothing, money, etc. can be contaminated.

[SWFlagirl]

Most of previous comments seem agreeable. I've read that the receipts have toxins as well and may be hormone disruptors.

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

I cannot blame them, I have seen what goes into Walmart!

In all seriousness, I can't blame them especially during flu and cold season!

Annie

[Kcspears]

Im sure out of all the time you spent over thinking the cashiers gloves you failed to see where the money that was given to the cashier might have come from (maybe from under a boob, the front inside of underwear/jeans)...In addition to that... did you see the person with the runny nose who wiped it with their hands about 15 times while putting their groceries/items on the counter to purchase? Or the person picking their butt while they thought no one was watching, how about the person who went to the bathroom and didn't wash their hands on their way out, or the person who changed a dirty diaper right before hand. Theres alot of activity that goes on outside of your visual spectrum and the person who is wearing gloves might have thought of them before hand. Putting gloves on is a personal preference and in their mind is making them more comfortable with their job. The average walmart can see close to 1300 customers on the week day 3000 on a weekend day. That's like asking why nurses wear gloves.

[nontoxic]

Misstika said:

Thanks for an answer ? I was curious as to why they were being worn. They refuse to give an answer when asked.

Because receipts are full of BPA.

This would explain why they wear them, and why their employer wouldn't want them to tell the customers: BPA In Receipts | BPA Health Risk - Consumer Reports News

[VioletKaliLPN, LPN]

I asked a friend that was a Cashier at Wal-Mart. She stated that in any given hour she would ring up motor oil, cleaning supplies, frozen food, and touch money that could be sticky or moist. (Eeek)

She stated that it was not so much about germs, but actual viewable and touchable filth.

Makes sense..

[Whaat]

I didn't read the entire thread so this may have been said, but as a former cashier in high school at a grocery store, I was sick constantly with colds, stomach bugs, etc. I wish I had worn gloves.

[oneof5]

I asked and was told by the cashier it was because of handling money. I rarely see them handle money, most people use a Debit/Credit card. Idk.

[Chrissy_T]

I am a cashier at walmart. I saw this a few weeks back and have wanted to answer for some time. A big reason for gloves is to avoid physical contact with allergens esp people allergic to seafood. Also the merchandise sometimes has dust and dirties your hands.