If you need urgent support, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. To contact our Crisis Messenger (open 24/7) text THEMIX to 85258.
Staff Security
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
in Work & Study
Ok so I'm after some information regarding employment rights that relate to staff and how they are searched. To be more specific I'm wanting to know in detail information regarding the retail sector.
I ask for the reason that in my current place of work, if you have finished a shift whilst the store is open you are taken down to the front of the shop and searched, made to take your jacket off and hand it to the senior member of staff whilst you then frisk yourself show them around your ankles, lift up your work shirt, spin yourself around completely and today, squat.
Now i find this bang out of order and i can't believe for a second that it's right either. Are you telling me that it's ok to search staff in this manner IN FRONT OF CUSTOMERS but when a thief is caught they are taken up to the staff area, next the office, where our valuables are kept and they are searched away from the public ? I don't bloody well think that's right. Just what kind of image must that give off to the public who are both passing and coming in to shop. I know in my mind exactly what kind of image it portrays.
Also, a couple of night's ago whilst leaving via the back entrance whilst we were searched the assistant manager was looking through people's wallets. Surely that can't be right, i suppose unless you give them permission, although it's a bit late to say no when they already have your wallet open THEN say " you don't mind this do you " in a sharp way as if to say " your not hiding anything are you !? "
I've never come across any relevant information when I've looked on ACAS or anywhere similar before but it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I might have just missed it.
Thanks in advance : )
I ask for the reason that in my current place of work, if you have finished a shift whilst the store is open you are taken down to the front of the shop and searched, made to take your jacket off and hand it to the senior member of staff whilst you then frisk yourself show them around your ankles, lift up your work shirt, spin yourself around completely and today, squat.
Now i find this bang out of order and i can't believe for a second that it's right either. Are you telling me that it's ok to search staff in this manner IN FRONT OF CUSTOMERS but when a thief is caught they are taken up to the staff area, next the office, where our valuables are kept and they are searched away from the public ? I don't bloody well think that's right. Just what kind of image must that give off to the public who are both passing and coming in to shop. I know in my mind exactly what kind of image it portrays.
Also, a couple of night's ago whilst leaving via the back entrance whilst we were searched the assistant manager was looking through people's wallets. Surely that can't be right, i suppose unless you give them permission, although it's a bit late to say no when they already have your wallet open THEN say " you don't mind this do you " in a sharp way as if to say " your not hiding anything are you !? "
I've never come across any relevant information when I've looked on ACAS or anywhere similar before but it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I might have just missed it.
Thanks in advance : )
0
Comments
I'm not sure but I'd guess that that's an invasion of your privacy, especially doing it in front of customers. Is this standard policy across all stores or just your one?
Knowing this company, I'll say standard but don't take my word for it.
I'm not but i want to be, just have no idea how do go about it or anything about it really.
I work in a Sports Shop of all place's !
USDAW is the largest union for shop workers, heres the link.
http://www.usdaw.org.uk/
i know the drill so i pull my pockets inside out and take my shoes off and turn them upside down. easy!
eta: but it's always been in a room away from everyone and i'm asked if i want any legal representation.
For example, if they are searching for people nicking items of clothing, etc. it's completely unreasonable to look through people's wallets. In fact, I'd say it's generally unreasonable to search wallets unless they are looking for cash, but they shouldn't have to do that because it should be obvious from cashing-up if money is going missing.
Mist, i think daily it's just a general search. It's just the last week or so they've suddenly decided that it's more important that it has been for the past 10 months. By that i just mean ive been their 10 months and NOW they decide that security is important.
I have said to a few workmates that i disagree with being searched on the shop floor in front of customers to which their responce has been " You might get searched upstairs then when your heading out the store you might steal something ". Sure, it is possible, but then what's to stop a member of managemtn walking you out of the shop after being searched ? .. Nothing at all IMHO. However the fact remains that we shouldnt be getting searched in this manner in front of customer's. Again i use the thief thing as an example of just how unfair & wrong this is.
I did feel really bad for people who were taken to be searched as they looked mortified.
I think it is sooooo out of order to be searched infront of customers, I'm never going to work in a sports shop.
Unfortunately i don't know about any laws on this though :mad:
At Next it was at the end of every single shift by the managers. It included all your stuff inc handbags etc.
Not in front of customers though.
What's the written rule of that ?
Not with any union. Trying to talk to management is equivalent to going around in circles.