Work demanding I leave my in locker

gadget88

So I know this is company policy but I work in retail. I have had issues before but a swift change of management has meant they are getting bossy. So policy is no phones so I had this checked before you are allowed watches and headphones or iPods (nobody has iPods now but I have one to track my health and steps) and they said sorry you can’t even have your iPod. They won’t over any flexibility so I asked to move shops. I have moved stores around 5 times due to various issues (non phone related) other reasons. I have been 13 years with company so what can I do? My reason for not leaving my phone is I had it stolen a week ago in Belgium and had to incur cost of replacing it almost one thousand pounds. I asked them if the locker is broken into is your company insurance liable? No answer? She wasn’t sure about iPods too as I explained I had this checked out years ago. Anybody else had this issue and how should I proceed? 

flossymcfly

Can you put your query in writing and get her to respond in writing? That way you can escalate with proof?

DE_612183

when your phone was stolen in belgium - was that at work?

can you leave your phone at home?

I'm not sure what you can do, if polisy is no phones and you don't want to adhere to the policy - then I guess you should look for another job.

Mr.Generous

When I worked retail phones were a nightmare, young staff checking them every 5 mins (if not more often) and nipping off somewhere quiet to see the latest 'must see' activity on facebook, instagram and thick-tok. Caused all sorts of issues posting stuff about colleagues or the business - night crew posted a video of a BGT style singing competition, a mock light sabre fight, general messing about videos. Takes up so much time and effort with them doing it, management dealing with the aftermath and trying to stop them messing with phones and get on with some actual work. So stick it in your locker and face the reality that you are there to work.

Phoenix72

Bonkers not having your own insurance on a £1000 device anyway.

oldernonethewiser

gadget88 said:

So I know this is company policy but I work in retail. I have had issues before but a swift change of management has meant they are getting bossy. So policy is no phones so I had this checked before you are allowed watches and headphones or iPods (nobody has iPods now but I have one to track my health and steps) and they said sorry you can’t even have your iPod. They won’t over any flexibility so I asked to move shops. I have moved stores around 5 times due to various issues (non phone related) other reasons. I have been 13 years with company so what can I do? My reason for not leaving my phone is I had it stolen a week ago in Belgium and had to incur cost of replacing it almost one thousand pounds. I asked them if the locker is broken into is your company insurance liable? No answer? She wasn’t sure about iPods too as I explained I had this checked out years ago. Anybody else had this issue and how should I proceed? 

Ask for a copy of the company insurance policy and accept that you won't be able to have your phone/iPod with you while working.

Not sure what having a phone stolen in Belgium has to do with this.

DE_612183

oldernonethewiser said:

gadget88 said:

So I know this is company policy but I work in retail. I have had issues before but a swift change of management has meant they are getting bossy. So policy is no phones so I had this checked before you are allowed watches and headphones or iPods (nobody has iPods now but I have one to track my health and steps) and they said sorry you can’t even have your iPod. They won’t over any flexibility so I asked to move shops. I have moved stores around 5 times due to various issues (non phone related) other reasons. I have been 13 years with company so what can I do? My reason for not leaving my phone is I had it stolen a week ago in Belgium and had to incur cost of replacing it almost one thousand pounds. I asked them if the locker is broken into is your company insurance liable? No answer? She wasn’t sure about iPods too as I explained I had this checked out years ago. Anybody else had this issue and how should I proceed? 

Ask for a copy of the company insurance policy and accept that you won't be able to have your phone/iPod with your while working.

Not sure what having a phone stolen in Belgium has to do with this.

Unless they work in Belgium sometimes?

p00hsticks

Phoenix72 said:

Bonkers not having your own insurance on a £1000 device anyway.

I agree - you should make sure it's covered by your own contents insurance for when away from home. 

oldernonethewiser

DE_612183 said:

oldernonethewiser said:

gadget88 said:

So I know this is company policy but I work in retail. I have had issues before but a swift change of management has meant they are getting bossy. So policy is no phones so I had this checked before you are allowed watches and headphones or iPods (nobody has iPods now but I have one to track my health and steps) and they said sorry you can’t even have your iPod. They won’t over any flexibility so I asked to move shops. I have moved stores around 5 times due to various issues (non phone related) other reasons. I have been 13 years with company so what can I do? My reason for not leaving my phone is I had it stolen a week ago in Belgium and had to incur cost of replacing it almost one thousand pounds. I asked them if the locker is broken into is your company insurance liable? No answer? She wasn’t sure about iPods too as I explained I had this checked out years ago. Anybody else had this issue and how should I proceed? 

Ask for a copy of the company insurance policy and accept that you won't be able to have your phone/iPod with your while working.

Not sure what having a phone stolen in Belgium has to do with this.

Unless they work in Belgium sometimes?

True.  If the OP was on company business and using a phone for this business then definitely worth checking the company policy. 

MacMickster

gadget88 said:

So I know this is company policy but I work in retail. I have had issues before but a swift change of management has meant they are getting bossy. So policy is no phones so I had this checked before you are allowed watches and headphones or iPods (nobody has iPods now but I have one to track my health and steps) and they said sorry you can’t even have your iPod. They won’t over any flexibility so I asked to move shops. I have moved stores around 5 times due to various issues (non phone related) other reasons. I have been 13 years with company so what can I do? My reason for not leaving my phone is I had it stolen a week ago in Belgium and had to incur cost of replacing it almost one thousand pounds. I asked them if the locker is broken into is your company insurance liable? No answer? She wasn’t sure about iPods too as I explained I had this checked out years ago. Anybody else had this issue and how should I proceed? 

Guess what. Bosses are entitled to be bossy.  If they say that phones must be left in your locker then either comply and leave it in your locker or else leave it at home if you are worried about theft. This really isn't a battle that you want to pick with a new management team, or else you are likely to find that they use you to demonstrate to the rest of their staff exactly what happens if you disobey a reasonable instruction from management.

LinLui

 I have moved stores around 5 times due to various issues (non phone related) other reasons. 

Then picking a fight over something that is reasonable and within the employers rights would probably not be somenting to pick a fight over as they may be running out of stores to move you to. Or the will to move you?