Visors in retail

happybagger

Hi
Thoughts please
I work in retail (have done throughout this C19 stuff). I've been told by a 'middle manager' I must to use a visor (it's a cheap an nasty thing, but that's not the point).
I have declined to do so. It isn't company policy, or in any document, he has just decided he wants us to so has made his own rule.
As there is no guidance or advice one way or the other on their use from any authority, I remain of the opinion I can decline.
We already have perspex screens at till points
No other retailers force the staff to wear them
Can I be pinged for it?
Thanks

JReacher1

It seems an odd thing to refuse to wear. 

happybagger

Thanks for that. But for the avoidance of doubt, I'm not really looking for debate on the wearing of it; I'm looking for comments on whether a middle manager can force me to whilst there being no advice in their favour and no company policy requiring it.

Andy_L

Hi
Thoughts please
I work in retail (have done throughout this C19 stuff). I've been told by a 'middle manager' I must to use a visor (it's a cheap an nasty thing, but that's not the point).
I have declined to do so. It isn't company policy, or in any document, he has just decided he wants us to so has made his own rule.
As there is no guidance or advice one way or the other on their use from any authority, I remain of the opinion I can decline.
We already have perspex screens at till points
No other retailers force the staff to wear them
Can I be pinged for it?
Thanks

Yes

How long have you worked there? <2 years and you can be out the door almost instantly for almost any reason.
As the boss he can tell you to do anything & the consequences of your refusal depend on his position & relationship with the hierarchy.
 As an employee you have obligations under the various H&S laws to cooperate with H&S at work - you can only refuse to wear PPE if it puts you at risk eg its the wrong size & thus doesn't work

Carrot007

If it concerns you and you think he is an idiot then ask his boss for a second opinion.

Of course that may be a bad choice depending on his boss.

As yes as long as his boss (etc etc) backs him up you can be fired for it.

Andy_L

happybagger said:

Thanks for that. But for the avoidance of doubt, I'm not really looking for debate on the wearing of it; I'm looking for comments on whether a middle manager can force me to whilst there being no advice in their favour and no company policy requiring it.

Would senior manages back you or him in a disciplinary? If its him then he can "force" you to wear it (obvs he can't literally force you, but you know what I mean) 

happybagger

But if I worked for another store doing the same job in another part of the country their boss doesn't require it
How can it be required by one guy but not another, surely it needs to be companywide?

Andy_L

happybagger said:

But if I worked for another store in another part of the country their boss doesn't require it
How can it be required by one guy but not another, surely it needs to be companywide?

No

happybagger

Confused. Why can he make a rule up in one place but wouldn't apply in another?

Andy_L

happybagger said:

Confused. Why can he make a rule up in one place but wouldn't apply in another?

because he is the boss. Its one of the privileges

happybagger

Lol ok
We'll see how the disciplinary goes when I get it