Last week, Kotaku reported several times in the process of pulling GameStop's ass to work during a coronavirus outbreak. But GameStop isn't the only physical game store with employees who feel compelled to choose between their jobs and their own safety. Area X Change regional employees were also pleased with the way their employer handled the situation, most of whom spoke to Kotaku about their concerns.
Game X Change, launched in 1992, is a video game store with over 100 locations throughout Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, and other parts of the southeastern United States. Currently, the owners of Game X Change have developed a policy to only allow up to 10 shoppers at a time, in an effort to increase the distance between people. Shops have come up with the option of eliminating the curbside sound, with many workers describing them as "jogging" and "not mixing well."
It's like GameStop, the staff they talked to Kotaku
"The situation here is intense and they used the GameStop debate to fly under the radar while I was hoping it would land them in hot water," said one employee, who asked for anonymity, Kotaku by email. “But now, three days after I confirmed the cases in my hometown, from a football field, we are still open. Corporate & # 39; works at home & # 39; while myself and many others were exposed to the front lines. ”
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"We recently received an order to be safe today in the court of the city judge," one employee said. “I hope that top people will do the right thing and not fight or risk the health of their workers; instead it turns out they have no basis to close their doors. As the epidemic has continued, the company has refused to give up the practice of accepting jobs. Our place is located near a medical clinic that caters to pedestrians. In a time when there is a global epidemic, keeping this particular area open near an outpatient setting is crazy. ”
"They don't want to shut us down at all," said a third Game X Change employee. “If any employee chooses not to work, we are told they will not be paid because they are unemployed. This also applies to salary managers. ”When employees asked if they had to work in these situations, the employee told Kotaku, "The next answer is, & # 39; You realize you won't get paid, do you? & # 39; They do not understand that this health issue is not a money problem."
Game X Change will still respond to a request for comment.
Some employees also alleged that the company's X X Change was spreading false information. "I read a few articles that said that wearing gloves can only make things worse for the wearer and the person closest to them," sales president Elvio Gomez told staff via Discord's private channel in the photo provided Kotaku
The general theme in discussions with Game X Change employees was that they were willing to lose their jobs rather than risk their lives by selling video games about the disease. But that's a problem that surpasses Game X Change, GameStop, and other retailers. In industries around the world, those who have done very little for their employees are forced to deal directly with covid-19 and go without the necessary tools or policies to protect themselves.
"My colleagues and colleagues are angry and afraid of what will happen if our stores are exposed to the spread of the virus, and peace in the company is quiet on what they are doing to stop it, which makes it a bit tricky," said one Game X Change employee. benefit instead of thinking about public health and safety. "
