Staff Alone until 9pm

wontfallforit

Quite aside from the point the OP was concerned about (i.e. security), I've always found it highly unusual for retail staff to work alone (or anyone who has access to cash, for that matter).

Alone, you can get up to all kinds of dodgy things (no disrespect to the OP, I'm sure you're clean as a whistle!), and cash discrepancies can easily occur. When I worked in retail (which I did for 8 years), no-one was ever left on the premises alone, partly for safety reasons, but also for the reason of cash security.

Dodgy employees would have a whale of a time, whereas clean employees would have a hard time proving they weren't stealing, if anything did go wrong. Stealing has never, ever crossed my mind, but I'd never let any employer leave me alone with large amounts of cash, just in case someone else had short-changed the company on their time.

Where I used to work, cash discrepancies were common. Most were entirely innocent (i.e. slight errors in giving customers their change), but since we had no cameras, proving yourself innocent was really tricky to do, so all transactions involving anything larger than a £10 note were monitored by other staff, too, just to cover our backs.

I used to cash up at my old company, and even though they'd obviously deemed myself trustworthy enough to handle up to £5k per night, I'd still go to every length to cover my own back, including getting at least one other employee to check my calculations and declarations.

sharpdeath

Just say you'll do it and when the boss goes, lock the door! If you're on your own, what happens if there's a fire? Or you need the loo? Or you fall down and crack your head open? Etc etc.

C_Mababejive

mannimostly wrote: »

Hi, does anyone know if a company can make you work late alone over christmas? I work in retail and, as it's the christmas period we are required to open late. We requested that there are at least 2 members of staff present until closing (9pm) as we are on the street and not in a shopping centre. They have refused the request and said we are only allowed one person from 5.30 till 9pm, but if one of us is attacked or robbed they will reconsider!! Do we have to go along with this?

Yes..i work on my own 24/7/365 in all weathers.

surreysaver

C_Mababejive wrote: »

Yes..i work on my own 24/7/365 in all weathers.

What job do you do?

DVardysShadow

sharpdeath wrote: »

Just say you'll do it and when the boss goes, lock the door! If you're on your own, what happens if there's a fire? Or you need the loo? Or you fall down and crack your head open? Etc etc.

A sacking after this would be far more justifiable than a sacking after refusing to work alone.

zzzLazyDaisy

sharpdeath wrote: »

Just say you'll do it and when the boss goes, lock the door! .

A bit difficult when OP works outside!

timmmers

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

A bit difficult when OP works outside!

Who ever said this job was outside ? Not in a shopping centre - on the street OP said, not a hotdog van. Most shops are on a normal street and not in a mall.

The area this place is located and security measures in place matter a lot here.
In parts of Manchester I have visited MacDonalds and had to ring a bell to be allowed in the building (with many staff) due to staff security issues at night. Rough areas are full of almost feral kids and not normal places to work compared to what most of us know.

In my area it's quiet and low crime, working alone is common here, but that won't work a mile up the road where the local estate residents have to date burnt down their local Spar, local pub, local garage (with shop) and community centre....all fairly new establishments too.

t

System

Check your employer is adhearing to HS rules

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg73.pdf

C_Mababejive

surreysaver wrote: »

What job do you do?

I'd rather not say on the forum...i didnt mean i meant ALL of those hours,i meant i could e rostered to work hours within those parameters and i often do. There are many who work alone in such environments eg police,paramedics,utility workers,self employed people,farmers etc etc etc

The bottom line is that YOU are responsible for your own health & safety and as long as the T &Cs of employment suite and the ££££ is good then all is well.

Zazen999

C_Mababejive wrote: »

The bottom line is that YOU are responsible for your own health & safety and as long as the T &Cs of employment suite and the ££££ is good then all is well.

Actually, I believe the H&S @ Work acts insists that the employer has a duty of care to those that work in their employ.