New rules at work - checking customer's bags: Where do I stand?

paddyrg

SIA are the way to go. Find an SIA course which covers bag searches and suggest it to the management specifically because you are afraid if you get it wrong it would be easy for staff to be accused of theft, etc., and want to make sure you're doing it in the right way.

Slinky

What are the management going to do if you fail to spot something in the bag. Would you know what plastic explosive looked like?

I think you are right to want training to do this and the management are irresponsible for not realising it.

If bag searches are done, they need to be done properly or not at all.

getzls

paddyrg wrote: »

SIA are the way to go. Find an SIA course which covers bag searches and suggest it to the management specifically because you are afraid if you get it wrong it would be easy for staff to be accused of theft, etc., and want to make sure you're doing it in the right way.

Sounds like the Management are trying to do this on the cheap. SIA courses are pricey.
Easy, but pricey

ivoryandgold

Hello, thank you all very much for your replies, it is really appreciated. As an update after being in work today -

We are being instructed to do bag CHECKS not SEARCHES for which no licence is apparently required. I have security concerns about doing this - essentially the past year there has been numerous occasions when the managers have not supported the staff in potentially dangerous situations. I feel like bag checks pose a threat to our safety and the measures they have put in place to stop this are not sufficient. I am going to take this to HR and open a formal grievance.

After today I feel like the staff have been bullied into complying, we have basically been told that as of tomorrow if we refuse to do bag checks it will be considered as refusing to do our job and sent home without pay. I personally believe this is a threat (I am under the impression if you get sent home you are 'suspended' and have to be paid until investigated - is this correct?) and has been used to try and make us sign a declaration we agree to check bags just one day after being told we have to. I have asked for a few days grace to research the matter further and been turned down, luckily I am off for a few days but many other people who do not agree will have to do it tomorrow or risk being sent home.

Thank you all for your advice!

pupgrum

ivoryandgold wrote: »

Hello, thank you all very much for your replies, it is really appreciated. As an update after being in work today -

We are being instructed to do bag CHECKS not SEARCHES for which no licence is apparently required. I have security concerns about doing this - essentially the past year there has been numerous occasions when the managers have not supported the staff in potentially dangerous situations. I feel like bag checks pose a threat to our safety and the measures they have put in place to stop this are not sufficient. I am going to take this to HR and open a formal grievance.

After today I feel like the staff have been bullied into complying, we have basically been told that as of tomorrow if we refuse to do bag checks it will be considered as refusing to do our job and sent home without pay. I personally believe this is a threat (I am under the impression if you get sent home you are 'suspended' and have to be paid until investigated - is this correct?) and has been used to try and make us sign a declaration we agree to check bags just one day after being told we have to. I have asked for a few days grace to research the matter further and been turned down, luckily I am off for a few days but many other people who do not agree will have to do it tomorrow or risk being sent home.

Thank you all for your advice!

You're going to get some customers arguing, refusing to leave or let you search their bags. A minority will end up aggressive thinking you're accusing him/her of doing something criminal. Expect to be punched in the face. It happens... according to an SIA security guard buddy of mine. And IF someone is carrying a knife, do you think he or she will quietly leave or try to stab you?

chuckley

Sorry but you need gloves if imperative! You have no idea what you could be touching!!

plus there's different ways to check bags. some just flash a torch, while you hold it up and move things around. that's what I always get a gigs.

So if proper security guards don't touch on checking, god bless you like...

chuckley

pupgrum wrote: »

You're going to get some customers arguing, refusing to leave or let you search their bags. A minority will end up aggressive thinking you're accusing him/her of doing something criminal. Expect to be punched in the face. It happens... according to an SIA security guard buddy of mine. And IF someone is carrying a knife, do you think he or she will quietly leave or try to stab you?

I'm sorry but I agree.

plus OP you won't have the confidence or knowledge on how to deal with each type of problem.

I personally wouldn't do it.

pupgrum

It's automatic unfair dismissal if the employer sacks you for not willing to breach health and safety. This is an exception to needing 2 years employment before you can sue for unfair dismissal.

If your employer argues how is it a breach of health and safety, just insist your job is not confronting customers and placing yourself at risk.

getzls

pupgrum wrote: »

It's automatic unfair dismissal if the employer sacks you for not willing to breach health and safety. This is an exception to needing 2 years employment before you can sue for unfair dismissal.

If your employer argues how is it a breach of health and safety, just insist your job is not confronting customers and placing yourself at risk.

All true. Though I still think, as a Security Guard myself you will still be breaking the Law by checking bags.
Your Employer then is asking you perform a criminal act.
Now to me this is reportable to the Police though no doubt they will claim it's not a Police matter.
To me it clearly is.
What you should do is phone the SIA and talk to them.

pupgrum

getzls wrote: »

All true. Though I still think, as a Security Guard myself you will still be breaking the Law by checking bags.
Your Employer then is asking you perform a criminal act.
Now to me this is reportable to the Police though no doubt they will claim it's not a Police matter.
To me it clearly is.
What you should do is phone the SIA and talk to them.

You can ASK customers to allow you to search their bags or open their bags for you to look, but they can refuse. It's not illegal asking. Only illegal if you forcefully grab someone's bag lol.