We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
New rules at work - checking customer's bags: Where do I stand?
Comments
-
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.0
-
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.Make £2025 in 2025
Prolific £229.82, Octopoints £4.27, Topcashback £290.85, Tesco Clubcard challenges £60, Misc Sales £321, Airtime £10.
Total £915.94/£2025 45.2%
Make £2024 in 2024
Prolific £907.37, Chase Intt £59.97, Chase roundup int £3.55, Chase CB £122.88, Roadkill £1.30, Octopus referral reward £50, Octopoints £70.46, Topcashback £112.03, Shopmium referral £3, Iceland bonus £4, Ipsos survey £20, Misc Sales £55.44Total £1410/£2024 70%Make £2023 in 2023 Total: £2606.33/£2023 128.8%0 -
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 pricey0 -
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!0 -
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?0 -
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...0 -
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?
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.0 -
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.0 -
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.0 -
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.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 350.2K Banking & Borrowing
- 252.8K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.2K Spending & Discounts
- 243.2K Work, Benefits & Business
- 597.6K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 176.5K Life & Family
- 256.1K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards