staff search

[johnbikemad]

i have been working in my local store for nearly 4 years and have to sign out and be search obviously to prevent staff theft, without any warning the security have started to order staff to remove their foot ware. does this sound common or unusual to you? i am not happy and refused so do companies make up there own law as i am certain the police cant even make the public do that,no without arresting them first.

[Andy Boz]

It does sound a little excessive. Perhaps you could tell us what sort of goods they sell in the shop. This may have a bearing John.

They would no doubt say you wont object if you have nothing to hide. What next? Trousers off, inside socks, boxers?

[johnbikemad]

the store sells toiletries,household cleaners,furniture,medecins,,bed linen, in general houehold wares , nothing worth loseing you job for.

[Andy Boz]

I would make a written request to the manager to see where in your contract they are allowed freedom to search your person. This seems unnacceptable, and I feel sure that if you were trying to conceal 5 gallons of bleach in your underwear or a sideboard in your socks it would be pretty obvious.

I feel you are right to deny them access to your socks. It would make a very interesting case at a tribunal, if it ever came to it.

I stand to be corrected, but I think that request is beyond normal security measures

[undercovers]

some one must be dipping the tills - its the oldest and easiest theft in the book, take cash but palm it insted of putting it in the till and then when the cost is clear pretend to have an innocent itch of the leg an stuff the note inside the sock or shoe... i have heard of stores making similar searches before and generally they can make their own law up (onviously within reason) have a look at your contract regarding the matter all the information regarding the scope of their powers to search you will be contained there in...

[undercovers]

when the coast is clear - not when the cost is clear... sorry

[johnbikemad]

fair comment regarding money but i do not handle any money, the shift i work on only deals with stock.

[steve208]

Well like others have said it would seem that employers are able to make semi-intrusive searches. At my place of work (a large department store) they search lockers, bags, coats, shoes pockets and socks!!

I think this is about all they can do without becomeing too intrusive but there is someone taking money at the moment. I hate it makes managment not trust anyone when 99% of us are honeand cost.

You may not work on the tills but when doing searches they have to appear to be fair and comprehensive. For example you could have been handed money from someone who does work on the tills. I am not saying you have but searching everyone at least means they dont trust anyone!!

[Keeprockin]

Take it your not in a union? If so,see your rep. If not,CAB may be able to help you with your rights. I imagine security have the right to search your clothes and possessions but to what extent? You could also conceal cash down a bra,would they have the entitlement to ask for it to be removed.? Then again,the security guy may have a foot fetish :)

[steve208]

I am sorry that you feel rather agrieved about the way they are treating you.

Though points have been raised about how far they could go with searches I think searching socks and shoes is abou the limit.

Regarding going to your CAB or union, perhaps the union maybe able to help but CAB tend to be extremly overburdened with work already and I doubt they will be able to do anything about this.

Indeed I agree you have the right to feel this is intrusive but unlike anything the police have to do which is within the public arena remember you are working on company property. So when you joined the company and signed a contract this would have said that you are expected to comply with reasonable precaucions taken by the company to prevent theft and loss.

To give you an example, where i work they are doing a lot of searches as figures show a lot of money is going missing. At another store they caught someone with �700 inn their socks!!

[emmyj83]

not at all odd, i worked in retail and they had the right to ask anyone to remove their shoes at any time, apparently people on tills or indeed thieves in locker rooms put money in their socks/shoes. The police can ask you to do that, if you refuse and they still have suspicion then they will arrest you. same as if you refuse for your employer, if they suspect you're hiding something the police will be called in.

[kayzara]

Im a former security guard who was involved in staff searches as one of my duties. its not common to ask for shoes to be removed however its possible.
"Most" security are now trained to perform searches its part of the licence requirments. But they are not able to ask you to strip. they can go as far as asking you to remove outer coat or jacket, remove a hat, turn out pockets and empty bags maybe even your shoes.
Man should only search man. Woman should only search woman unless impossible ie male security guard female staff. but all searches are to be witnessed by third party.
Your company should have it in your contract about searches and what happens if you refuse.
as for hiding things in your underwear security can not check thats what the police are for.
please remember a lot of security guards are ars...not nice but most of us are only human and we work for the same reasons you do. hope this helps a bit.