Working in a threatening environment, any ideas/help please?

dickydonkin

worriedaboutwork wrote: »

I'll be truthful, its got to the point whereby we're thinking well if they close us down, at least we won't be in danger any more. Thats a very sad thing to think each time you go to work, isn't it?

It is indeed - but by the same token, your own safety and welfare has to take priority.

By virtue of the fact that you have asked for advice on here is enough to suggest to me that you are very concerned.

Hopefully you are not at the stage where you are dreading the moment you have to go to work - that should set the alarm bells ringing as work related stress can creep up on you unawares.

When I was referring to safety and welfare at your workplace, you have to remember that it is not just the physical threat that should be a concern, but mental illness in the form of stress may also become an issue if this situation is not addressed.

Some of the less helpful posts on here have alluded to you not being able to deal with conflict, however, we are all different and deal with situations in our own ways.

Someone in your situation who is being abused may just simply laugh of abuse or give as good as they get - some, however, take it to heart - and it is the latter type of person who is more at risk.

You are doing the right thing by addressing the situation OP and by providing dates and examples will help - just be careful though how you word your communication. Don't make demands, just state the facts and emphasise how you enjoy working for the company and how you don't wish for the outlet to gain a poor reputation in the community.

19lottie82

OP, if you really feel that bad about your job, why don’t you get another? I’ve worked in bars for ten years and I can honestly say I have never found it difficult to find work, prob because the staff turnover is so high. 3 or 4 times when I have needed a job I’ve just printed out a pile of CVs, gone into the city centre (or other popular drinking areas) and handed one into (almost) every bar / restaurant, speaking to the manager directly, if possible. EVERY time I have had at least one bar call me back within 48 hours.

dickydonkin

19lottie82 wrote: »

OP, if you really feel that bad about your job, why don’t you get another? I’ve worked in bars for ten years and I can honestly say I have never found it difficult to find work, prob because the staff turnover is so high. 3 or 4 times when I have needed a job I’ve just printed out a pile of CVs, gone into the city centre (or other popular drinking areas) and handed one into (almost) every bar / restaurant, speaking to the manager directly, if possible. EVERY time I have had at least one bar call me back within 48 hours.

It is a shame that the OP should have to consider moving on when he enjoys his job (other than the abuse of course).

Then - his replacement will have to put up with the abuse.

amazingcookie

19lottie82 wrote: »

OP, if you really feel that bad about your job, why don’t you get another? I’ve worked in bars for ten years and I can honestly say I have never found it difficult to find work, prob because the staff turnover is so high. 3 or 4 times when I have needed a job I’ve just printed out a pile of CVs, gone into the city centre (or other popular drinking areas) and handed one into (almost) every bar / restaurant, speaking to the manager directly, if possible. EVERY time I have had at least one bar call me back within 48 hours.

I used to do the same thing back when I was a student. None replied me, probably because I'm a guy. It's a lot easier to get bar work if you're female and this truth is like a smack to the face to all males.

LTL

I'm a little confused by reading this thread.

1. The OP seems to reply and just thank the comments that he is wanting to hear.

2. The OP keeps stating that having only 1 person is illegal. Is this actually true? Or is this just the same misunderstanding as many other posts on this website (i.e. I had to pay import duty on some goods I bought abroad, the site is a scam! - No dear, it's just you do not read their Ts & Cs and have no idea about import duties)

3. Following on from point 2; the OPs comment about the woman not expecting to deal with problem customers is just a non-starter; it's her job.

4. Also following from point 2; if the OP is using the term "illegal" in the wrong context, maybe them stating they receive "abuse" is a little skewed and some people on here are taking this a little too literally. I know the PC brigade may come out when I say this but; maybe it's just part of your job and you have to deal with it?

I cannot believe that only the manager has the right to bar people and you can't even raise issues with certain people with him.

I agree with everything marybelle01 and Emmzi has said.

19lottie82

amazingcookie wrote: »

I used to do the same thing back when I was a student. None replied me, probably because I'm a guy. It's a lot easier to get bar work if you're female and this truth is like a smack to the face to all males.

I wouldn't say this is true. All the bars I've worked in have been half and half. Pubs need a mix because they want girls to look pretty and guys to sort out any problems.

19lottie82

LTL wrote: »

2. The OP keeps stating that having only 1 person is illegal. Is this actually true?QUOTE]

As far as I know, yes. But having one person behind the bar is very, very common due to financial reasons.
Whenever I worked a bar alone, if the police came in to do a random check, I was told to tell them that the boss was in, but had just nipped out for 5 minutes.

LTL wrote: »

I cannot believe that only the manager has the right to bar people and you can't even raise issues with certain people with him.

This shouldn't be the case, especially as the OP said the manager is hardly ever there.
A good manager should respect his bar staff decisions (and support them) when it comes to telling someone they are not getting served, or that they are barred.

If I barred someone for being aggressive, I would expect my manager to support me. if that wasn't the case, I'd definitely be walking!

dickydonkin

LTL wrote: »

I'm a little confused by reading this thread.

1. The OP seems to reply and just thank the comments that he is wanting to hear.

You have failed to mention that the OP has also responded in writing to the helpful posters and has heeded some advice such as documenting evidence.

2. The OP keeps stating that having only 1 person is illegal. Is this actually true? Or is this just the same misunderstanding as many other posts on this website (i.e. I had to pay import duty on some goods I bought abroad, the site is a scam! - No dear, it's just you do not read their Ts & Cs and have no idea about import duties)

I cannot see anywhere in the OP's post where he states that 'having only one person' is illegal. I assume you are referring to working alone. Working alone is not 'illegal' but employers have to have procedures in place for people who are working alone on their premises. I mentioned this in my previous post.

3. Following on from point 2; the OPs comment about the woman not expecting to deal with problem customers is just a non-starter; it's her job.

It is not part of the OP's (or any employee's) terms and conditions of employment to be abused. There should be policy's/procedures in place to deal with such situations - seemingly there isn't.

4. Also following from point 2; if the OP is using the term "illegal" in the wrong context, maybe them stating they receive "abuse" is a little skewed and some people on here are taking this a little too literally. I know the PC brigade may come out when I say this but; maybe it's just part of your job and you have to deal with it?

Again - it isn't part of the OP's job to be abused.

I cannot believe that only the manager has the right to bar people and you can't even raise issues with certain people with him.
I agree with everything marybelle01 and Emmzi has said.

This is a wind up isn't it?

Look at the OP's situation this way - the worst case scenario - hopefully it will never happen.

Persistent drunken offender who all staff are aware of - decides to kick off and pulls a knife and stabs or beats up a member of staff who was trying to evict or restrain him.
Police are called - management are then 'horrified' that a member of their staff was hurt and placed in such a position.

It is explained to horrified management that the offender was always drunk and abusive when he was on the premises.

Shocked management then states to investigators, staff should have informed us of what was going on - we take the health and safety of our staff very seriously (yeah right) and we would never knowingly have placed one of our loyal and dedicated staff at risk.

That statement however would not wash - although that would be scant consolation for the injured member of staff.

heretolearn_2

Chucking out time is a pain whatever bar/pub/club you work in. Most places develop a tactic to make it unpleasant enough for the stragglers to want to leave without really annoying them. so lights on full, air conditioning on full blasting out cold air, 10 minutes before you officially close. It makes people drink up and go away. Can you do this? I also know of a pub that starts playing deliberately awful loud muzac at closing time - it's kind of funny, people know why, it's treated as a jokey 'hint' to go home and people get out. Also you just have to be a confident assertive person. One person might have them hanging round for an hour, but another will have them out in ten minutes flat.

On agressive/abusive - you shouldn't be serving people that much alchohol - bars have the right to refuse further service to drunks and while it might result in a few nights getting worse as they get angry with it, it'll pay off long term as the message gets across.

IS this a members club like a working man's club? I'm surprised you are having trouble if it is, don't other members step in if people are out of order? Usually they have a good atmosphere.

LTL

dickydonkin wrote: »

This is a wind up isn't it?

No this isn't a wind up at all.

I work in a situation where I have both internal and external customers and I have to put up with some mouthy language sometimes. It's my job & how I deal with it will show if I am successful at my job.

The OP has not defined the "abuse" received. A bit of foul language or someone bringing in a knife - two very different things.

My view on all of this, especially with the thread title, is that the OP is after a reaction from people to make himself feel more confident and for people to agree with his stance.

I did not say/did not mean it's part of his job to get abused. I did not say/did not mean they had to put up and shut up. Part of the OPs job would be to deal with difficult customers in a professional manner, especially if they are the only one working on site. I cannot fathom how people think that they shouldn't have to deal with it. You can't control what customers will do/say but you have to deal with it when things arise OR go work in an environment where there are no customers.

The OP has stated 3/4 times that his main concern is working alone and that it is "illegal", use CTRL + F on his posts.

This site is about opinions, I am meerly putting mine across.