A conference call between GameStop managers and company executives has leaked online, revealing the extent of the company's controversial practices during the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, namely forcing stores to remain open despite risks to both customers and employees.
The call was first posted on Youtube by user CAMELOT331. On the call, store managers and associates share their concerns about coronavirus and pose questions about potential risks, such as possible contingencies for infected employees and recommended actions. Certain managers went so far as to discuss questions of ethics with the executives.
Discussions indicated that GameStop, unlike a number of other businesses, is currently thriving. One manager noted, "We actually have a massive increase in traffic at our store... Already today we've had well over 50 to 75 transactions, which is way more than normal."
A number of the attendees, sans the executives, argued the consequences of remaining open, in relation to the employees, "I feel like we're putting our guys in a position where they have to choose between their livelihood and their personal health," one manager added. Executives explained that there have been discussions about those concerns, but declined to provide a definite answer, saying only, "We're trying to provide information... And I don't have an answer that [yes] we would be able to pay wages for everybody who chose not to work."
One employee asked about trades and whether it would be safe to take them still. A exec stated, "We're still taking trades in. Like anything else you handle, you want to be careful with it." The manager quickly fired back, "Some people are really gross and some of the things they bring in are not exactly clean at all...Is it ok for us to refuse those select pieces?" Corporate told her that if something was "not acceptable" then they "certainly can" deny the trade, but only if the item could not truly be used.
GameStop and their subsidiaries have come under fire recently for refusing to take measures against the ongoing outbreak, such as allowing their employees paid leave or canceling major events, as other businesses have done in order to limit the spread of COVID-19.