Staff Alone until 9pm

Anihilator

9pm is hardly late.

Unless the OP can support danger with a history of crime or robberies etc or show its a high risk industry (i.e methadone) then I dont think there is any reason to suggest more than one person is required.

Many bookies have lone workers.

vaksam

It might also be worth checking if the shop is insured to have staff inside working alone.

When I worked in retail the rules were very strict on lone working. You just weren't allowed to be on the premises alone, let alone trading. This was because in the event of a member of staff being alone on the premises and having an accident/being attacked and hurt, the shop wouldn't be insured. Their policy specified that there should always be two members of staff onsite.

Not to mention the logistical problems of having one member of staff only while trading, leaves the store very vulnerable to shoflifting/distraction techniques etc etc. Personally I wouldn't think it was worth the risk.

Fluffi

I'd be surprised if having two people in the shop made it any less likely to be robbed than someone on their own because if robbers are pointing a gun or threatening you with a knife what is your colleague going to do anyway? Most people wouldn't risk confronting the robbers and then their colleague getting shot or stabbed to save their employers cash. Your colleague will just hand the cash over so therefore I don't think criminals will avoid attacking you or robbing the shop just because there is more than one of you.

If anything it would be worse for the business if the shop was robbed and there were 2 members of staff present because they'd probably both claim sick/ compassionate leave and need counseling after the incident which would cost more than for a single employee! Now I'm not saying this behaviour is moral or ethical, or that I agree in thinking in this kind of way (before I get lynched!). Its just a possible reason why the bosses may not change their minds on lone evening working! Unless you can come up with another reason, maybe H&S related or to do with volume of customers in the shop I think you'll struggle to persuade them that having any more members of staff on site is a good idea.

Years ago I worked at a retail store that was subject to an armed robbery after the store had closed when were 3 members of staff on site at the time.

zzzLazyDaisy

Fluffi wrote: »

Years ago I worked at a retail store that was subject to an armed robbery after the store had closed when were 3 members of staff on site at the time.

And had one of them been injured in the attack, there would have been two other people there to call for help.

wuckfit

Anihilator wrote: »

9pm is hardly late.

Unless the OP can support danger with a history of crime or robberies etc or show its a high risk industry (i.e methadone) then I dont think there is any reason to suggest more than one person is required.

Many bookies have lone workers.

Yes, usually safely behind security screens.

Given that the OP has already stated that they are working outside, I'd say the risks are a bit higher than normal.
There are a number of reasons for not working alone in retail, or any cash-handling job.
risk of accusations of theft of goods/money when left alone.
risk of theft of goods/money by customers/opportunist theives when sole employee is distracted.

Anihilator

wuckfit wrote: »

Yes, usually safely behind security screens.

Given that the OP has already stated that they are working outside, I'd say the risks are a bit higher than normal.
There are a number of reasons for not working alone in retail, or any cash-handling job.
risk of accusations of theft of goods/money when left alone.
risk of theft of goods/money by customers/opportunist theives when sole employee is distracted.

Must just be where you live as certainly no screens here.

For all we know the OP has screens:rolleyes:

BitterAndTwisted

Would the OP be prepared to disclose exactly what kind of business this is? What arrangements are the employers making for cashing-up/getting the money into a safe? This is generally done by more than one employee to prevent accusations of theft, is it not?

wuckfit

Anihilator wrote: »

Must just be where you live as certainly no screens here.

For all we know the OP has screens:rolleyes:

outside? :rotfl:

Abbafan1972

OP - What happens if you have to go to the toilet?

DCFC79

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Would the OP be prepared to disclose exactly what kind of business this is? What arrangements are the employers making for cashing-up/getting the money into a safe? This is generally done by more than one employee to prevent accusations of theft, is it not?

yes it is or it is where igve previously worked where cash is involved,