Young (ish) female working on own in Criminal Solicitors Office

[Wales1984]

Hi,

I am assuming there are no laws regarding the above, but I have been in my job as Legal Secretary for 6 months and more often I am being left to work full days on my own, no lunch no breaks.

There are no risk assessments and I am basically told to get on with it. Being a Criminal Solicitors Office we have all sorts of criminals coming through our doors including drunk, aggresive etc.

Do you think I should be speaking to my bosses?

Thanks

[factor-fiction]

Yes. Raise it politely

[Gizmonster]

Well for starters, there are legal requirements when it comes to breaks, etc:http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Em
ployees/WorkingHoursAndTimeOff/DG_10029451

[Gizmonster]

http://www.direct.gov...ndTimeOff/DG_10029451

[boxtops]

Many companies have rules about lone working, and you should have contingency plans in place in case anyone (e.g. the aggressive types) start to get nasty. Speak to your bosses - what would happen if you needed to evict someone? This comes under Health and Safety too, the employer has an obligation to keep the workplace safe for employees. The ACAS free helpline might be able to advise you.

[Maydup]

Whats stopping you going for lunch? Are you manning the reception or something?

[craft1948]

Is it because of your dent?

[Jemisa]

Thats your fault you're having no breaks, it is the law that you do. They are taking advantage of you & you're letting them. Get tough & tell them nicely mind "I'm off for lunch now" & leave the building. (thats important)

jem

[Androcles]

I am puzzled, Wales. Surely they must have given you a statement of terms and conditions of employment or an offer letter or something in writing to appoint you, especially being solicitors. If you they have not and you ask for details of your terms and conditions, it would surely ring a few bells with them?

[Wales1984]

Hi,

I received a letter to say I was now an employee and I will be on this much with how much annual leave I get but that was it.

Where I work we have a reception desk and three phone lines that have to be manned throughout the day and then these three lines are put through to a mobile for a 24 hour line - so we advertise the fact that we have a 24 hour line.


I cant just walk out and go on lunch. They are my bosses Im not just going to get all bulshy with them, but there are no office manuals or anything and I just didnt know if there were any guidelines or anything.

The two other girls who worked here before had both been threatened before and I dont want to be the third.

Next Friday I am on my own in the office from half 8 - 5 on my own and if I want toilet breaks then I have to go down stairs lock the door - up two flights of steps to the toilet etc so when your busy and havent got time to waste its a pain in the bum.

I might just lock the door and if anyone says anything then I will just point out that they have no risk assessments or guidelines in place. We have one particualr Client at the moment who keeps coming in every day and is approaching me and my female collegaue in the street -so keen to avoid him on my own!

Thanks for all the links though