Telxon scanner down the pants

We here at People Liking People have noticed a disgusting practice at our local grocery store which is likely shared by retail establishments all across the country: employees putting the Telzon scanner down the back of their pants - in between their trousers and their dirty underwear down their ass crack. We first noticed it a few months ago and thought "wow, I'd hate to be the guy that has to use it after him". But now we're noticing it all the time with many different employees - evidently it's standard procedure.

Does nobody think it's gross that everyone's sticking this thing down their ass crack, and then the part that was down the guy's ass is the handle that you have to hold on to? The device has a string thing attached to it, why don't you use that instead? Or get some type of belt to hang it on to. Just think of how many germs have got to be on your average Telxon scanner handle. If there were ever a reason to not work retail, this would have to be it.