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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> B&H a Sweatshop?
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10/15/2015 05:02:31 PM · #1
Just saw this piece in Petapixel... Note B&H response at end.
10/15/2015 05:18:16 PM · #2
Hard to know where the "truth" lies. I can tell you that, based on my brother's experience as an employer in Miami, people actually plan on "getting hurt" in order to sue. It's disgusting. And my brother offers the most generous employment packages, plus an accountability program which gives the employee NUMEROUS opportunities to rectify any situation they're written up about.
10/15/2015 05:49:18 PM · #3
Can't say everything I'd like at the moment, but this doesn't surprise me in the least.
10/15/2015 06:09:58 PM · #4
puts a damper on my window shopping.
10/15/2015 06:19:12 PM · #5
Frankly, I am a little ambivalent on the source... I don't at all doubt that there are issues; all workplaces have them. I did a quick check on Glassdoor.com and they have a very respectable 3.8 rating as an employer. I once worked for a medical electronics manufacturer that was highly innovative and in most respects a fantastic place to work, and over the 17 years I was there (1978 to 1995) there were several attempts to unionize factory workers. You just cant please some folks.
10/15/2015 06:24:05 PM · #6
I look at it this way, large (i.e. LARGE) mail order houses are all under fire for working conditions. As an Amazon Prime member I've lived on the corner of "Love the convenience" and "How can you treat your (subcontracted and not really your) employees like that?!" for so long that I now hate myself for the love of "free" two-day shipping. Consumer demand will always trump real world ethics until consumers decide that consumerism isn't a priority. But this is 'Merika, dammit. Love it or leave it (or ignore the parts that make you feel uncomfortable).

Message edited by author 2015-10-15 18:24:54.
10/15/2015 07:17:45 PM · #7
I will pay attention, they do have a lot of the "same" type of employees around the store and this particular type of same may not be the most generous, outright.. But I've been there an innumerable number of times over the years.. I have stuff shipped, I talk to the staff (and this includes salespeople, cashier people, check out people, return people).. of course I've never been to their warehouse. I have only once met an employee who had obviously had a bad day, Most of them are quite friendly and competent. It's wholesale.. it's the nature of the beast... like I said, I want to know about where I shop so I will pay attention, but I have a hard time believing they could be worse than anybody else their size, having seen what I've seen. Their service is excellent. They've been in business a long time, there must be a reason.
10/15/2015 08:52:49 PM · #8
Originally posted by linked story:

Al Jazeera America published a lengthy report today after interviewing a number of B&H employees involved in the movement.

Did they interview any of the other 1800 employees, or management?

Does anyone else have any concern that a "report" by Al Jazeera America concerns a business owned by (probably orthodox) Jews?
10/15/2015 09:02:06 PM · #9
Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by linked story:

Al Jazeera America published a lengthy report today after interviewing a number of B&H employees involved in the movement.

Did they interview any of the other 1800 employees, or management?

Does anyone else have any concern that a "report" by Al Jazeera America concerns a business owned by (probably orthodox) Jews?


I did, when I saw the source. But it does look like it is true that they've have two discrimination lawsuits against them, it looks like both were settled for a good chunk of money.
10/15/2015 09:22:47 PM · #10
Originally posted by vawendy:

I did, when I saw the source. But it does look like it is true that they've have two discrimination lawsuits against them, it looks like both were settled for a good chunk of money.
Often it is cheaper for a company to quickly settle outside of court than get into a protracted legal battle and risk a ridiculous verdict, like in that infamous Liebeck v. McDonald's spilled coffee lawsuit.
10/15/2015 09:30:57 PM · #11
Originally posted by LevT:

... a ridiculous verdict, like in that infamous Liebeck v. McDonald's spilled coffee lawsuit.

Listen to Ralph Nader's summary of that case in this interview and you might find it wasn't quite as ridiculous as the media made it sound ...
10/15/2015 09:40:24 PM · #12
Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by LevT:

... a ridiculous verdict, like in that infamous Liebeck v. McDonald's spilled coffee lawsuit.

Listen to Ralph Nader's summary of that case in this interview and you might find it wasn't quite as ridiculous as the media made it sound ...

I just sent Lev a PM citing details to the same effect. That was a righteous lawsuit and verdict, and it had a significant effect on the industry going forward; it did what the system's supposed to do. But let's not go too far off the tracks here, LOL.
10/15/2015 09:41:46 PM · #13
Originally posted by GeneralE:

Does anyone else have any concern that a "report" by Al Jazeera America concerns a business owned by (probably orthodox) Jews?

Definitely owned by Orthodox, and yes that thought had occurred to me.
10/15/2015 09:47:36 PM · #14
Not sure what to think of this. I can tell you that I have been their store in Manhattan while on vacation, and it was the most amazing photography store I've ever seen. Their customer service was outstanding, their loss prevention method was inscrutible, with the conveyor belts shooting your merchandise to the checkout counter, and I just loved the experience. Sorry to hear about the grievances filed, but I think that stuff can happen anywhere, including Adorama.
10/15/2015 10:00:45 PM · #15
The problems are in the warehouse in Brooklyn, not the retail store in Manhattan where most of the employees are orthodox Jews.

Wouldn't be surprised if camera equipment was used to photograph and video the unsafe working conditions. The irony.
Or maybe someone needs to get a job in the warehouse and do the proper investigative reporting with equipment purchased at B&H.
10/16/2015 07:54:09 AM · #16
Originally posted by backdoorhippie:

I look at it this way, large (i.e. LARGE) mail order houses are all under fire for working conditions. As an Amazon Prime member I've lived on the corner of "Love the convenience" and "How can you treat your (subcontracted and not really your) employees like that?!" for so long that I now hate myself for the love of "free" two-day shipping. Consumer demand will always trump real world ethics until consumers decide that consumerism isn't a priority. But this is 'Merika, dammit. Love it or leave it (or ignore the parts that make you feel uncomfortable).

I pick my battles.....this ain't one of them. As a 60 yo man who has a questionable job future and no retirement (YEARS of bad decisions) I also know who is at fault for that. Nobody's holding a gun at anyone's head to keep a job. Don't like it? Don't let the door hit you on the @$$ on the way out.

None of us know the whole story, nor are we likely to ever.....I will continue to be a happy B&H customer.
10/16/2015 10:55:59 AM · #17
Posted by GeneralE "Does anyone else have any concern that a "report" by Al Jazeera America concerns a business owned by (probably orthodox) Jews?"

Absolutely - the very first thing I noticed. Thanks for being brave enough to state it first.
10/16/2015 02:36:35 PM · #18
not sure the news source is all that important; kind of a reverse prejudice it seems to me.

the point is that there are problems at the warehouse. as well, I don't think we should be surprised: we tend to ignore the people who get stuck at the bottom. sometimes I am ashamed of enjoying good price and services, but not often enough.

al jazeera america has its own problems too with discrimination and attempts to unionize some of the workers.

no, Virginia.
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