Best Buy & Geek Squad Policies

[CindyH]

My 14 year old son, who wants to work at Best Buy in Grapevine, Texas when he turns 16, is currently taking a course  called Career Connections at a near by Middle School.  One requirement for the class is to "shadow job" for one day from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  This entails following or "shadowing" an employee around for one specific day.  Best Buy has in the past participated in this community activity with great admiration from our area.  Today I received a call explaining that Best Buy has recently changed their policy.

I would like this current stance revisited and rescinded.  It would be good for Best Buy to have my son as a potential employee and it would be good for their public image to allow for this one day of the year event.

Cindy H.{removed per forum guidelines}

[RealGeorgeW Emerging Expert]

I'm not saying this program was bad, I always think that shadowing for things you think you want to do is important, but Best Buy is a pretty fast paced sales scene and, personally, I would not have the time to have a 14 year old with me for 6 hours while trying to work. I don't know which positions they were shadowing, but I'm just guessing it wasn't the line level guys.

Anyway, one of the Connectors may respond to this, give them time though.

[Starflyer59]

Hi Cindy

The shadowing sounds like a great program and helps a teen decide if retail is something they really want to do. Have you called the store manager or District manager for your local BB?

I don't work for BB have never worked in retail but I would never have a problem with a teenager following me around for a day to see what it's like out there in the real world.

There are way too many adults that are just too busy to slow down and mentor a young teenager. It's kind of sad.

[TheLexMachine]

Was it a call from the store management or from the actual corporate representatives and what exactly did they say? I only ask because Best Buy does support the idea of students going in to their stores to see what the job is all about, at least they did as of last month, but I've never seen it done on an individual basis.

[RealGeorgeW Emerging Expert]

I wouldn't have a problem with some kids coming in to see what I/we do... I'm just saying that most of the time I'd be too busy to really explain anything.

[Dorothy-BBY Community Supervisor]

Good day CindyH -

As the mother of a fifteen, almost sixteen, year old daughter, I know how important it is to have your child make quality, informed choices.  This is particularly essential as they begin to enter the work force.  My daughter has had similar requests before from her school courses, such as one day she had to volunteer at a school for the day.  She spent the day at her sister's 2nd grade class room assisting the teacher and it was such a valuable experience. 

I know that Best Buy® has a heavy interest in the well being of our teenagers, which is evident in their @15 program.  While I do not know the specifics of why the job shadowing might have become unavailable (if it truly is), however I would be more than happy to look into this for you.  I am sending you a private message to obtain more details, so please ensure you are logged into the forums, then click the envelope in the upper right hand corner to view. 

Thank you!

[CindyH]

Hi Dorothy,

Thank you for writing me.  I plan on calling Best Buy to see if they will reinstate their previous policy, but I can't find the number.  Is there anything you can do to help me?  Thank you.

Cindy

[Nokia]

What number are you looking for? The corp. number is 1-888-BESTBUY.

[CindyH]

You said that BB did this practice as of last month.  What part of the country are you referring too?  Thanks.

[Dorothy-BBY Community Supervisor]

Hello CindyH -

Thank you for your patience while I researched this.  As far as I can ascertain through my contacts within the corporate office, there are no rules in place that prohibit the before mentioned job shadowing program.  As far as I know, it is still in place. 

I invite you to contact me through private message with further details and I would absolutely be willing to help you make this shadowing a reality.  Remember, you can send me a private message by clicking the envelope in my signature bar. 

Thanks!