Off licence rules

[poohshunny]

I work in an off licence shop. My shifts are at night. During the day, there is only one member of staff there from 9am till 6pm. We have learned from other shops in the area that their managers don't allow any less than 2 members of staff at a time. They say that if anything untoward happens, it's safer for staff to have more than one there, especially in that type of shop. I've tried googling all sorts to see if there are any rules about this, with no joy. Does anyone know of any websites where I could find this information?

[ELVIS68]

What type of off licence is it, a well known one or a local one?

[poohshunny]

It's part of a bigger chain. I don't know if I'm allowed to mention th name on here.

[Bathsheba]

Blimey pooh, that sounds bad. When i worked in a teeny tiny branch library in a small village we always had 2 staff there at all times x

[ELVIS68]

Mention it, it`s not live radio

[poohshunny]

Sorry it has taken me so long to get get back to you. My laptop decided to loose wireless connection! In answer to your question ELVIS68, I work in Booze Buster, which is part of Wine Cellar Ltd. The same company that run Simply Drinks and Simply Food and Drinks.

[poohshunny]

Hi Bathsheba. It is a bit worrying. We have recently had a cash machine installed in the store. The member of staff during the day is expected to open the floor safe from the previous day, count the money, open the cash machine and, using the money that she has just counted, fill the cash machine to a limit of �1500. Prepare what is left for the bank, lock the shop for 10 minutes while she carries the takings to the Post Office to deposit it, all on her own!

[ELVIS68]

Tell them you`re not happy working alone, if you feel unsafe tell them you`re going to leave, ask any other staff if they feel the same and get together and put in a complaint

If they thought they`ll lose all their staff at the same time they might think again on their shift policies

To me it sounds like money is more important than staff safety

[Ice.Maiden]

I certainly wouldn't like it poohshunny, especially with the darker nights closing in. I agree with Elvis on this one.

[terambulan]

There's a lot of info here:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg73.pdf

[Ice.Maiden]

That's a good one terambulan. Show it to your bosses if they seem to hedge about it, ph.

[poohshunny]

Thanks for your replies. I think you are right, money is more important than the staff! We get paid minimum wage, no extra for Sundays or Bank Holidays. We only close for one day a year (Christmas Day). If my shift happens to fall on Boxing Day or New Year's Day, I'm expected to work it. The shift during the day is 9am - 6pm. We get paid for the whole 9 hours, but because we are on our own, we have no designated breaks. Lunch is usually a sandwich in the back shop, grabbing a bite between serving customers and filling stock. To top it all off, we don't even have bandit screens.

[Ice.Maiden]

Awwww - get a new job hun. not saying anything'd ever happen to you, but it's better to be safe than sorry. x

[poohshunny]

Thanks Ice.Maiden. I am looking for another job as we speak. Lol

[ELVIS68]

They obviously have no respect for your safety, I take it you are female with a name like poohshunny?

I wouldn`t feel safe working there myself let alone a woman working there

[Buenchico]

There are no specific rules which relate to your occupation.

However, all employers have a statutory obligation to take all reasonable steps to minimize risks to the health and safety of their staff. In particular, your employer is obliged to carry out a risk assessment for your job (or for individual elements of your job). Employers with fewer than 5 staff do not have to keep a written record of such assessments (although they're advised to do so) but your employer must have a written document, which must be periodically reviewed and, if necessary updated.

You should ask your employer when the risk assessment was carried out (or reviewed) for your job. You should also ask to see a copy of that risk assessment.

This (general) page is for employers but it shows what your employer is obliged to do, by law:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/risk/index.htm

This (job specific) page goes further, by combining both legal obligations and 'good practice' for employers of staff on licensed premises:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/violence/toolkit/index.h tm

For further information, contact the HSE:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/index.htm
and/or the ACAS Helpline:
http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15 65

Chris

[Ice.Maiden]

Anything where there are other people around, poohshunny. Working on your own at night must be nerve-wracking, especially in an off-licence. Hope you find something suitable. x

[bathtub]

If you're thinking of leaving anyway, why not ring the newsdesk at your local paper and see if they'd be interested in running a story about your plight.

Your employer's attitude stinks - they're jeopardising your safety and piling huge responsibilities on you in return for a pittance.

In my professional opinion (35 years in journalism, now retired) it would make great copy and it should shame them into action. They'd also dig an even bigger hole for themselves if they victimised you as a result.

[poohshunny]

Yes ELVIS68, I am female. Well, I was the last time I checked!

Thanks for your reply Chris. As always, very helpful and informative. I'll take time to read through all the links. I've had a quick look, but I'll be more focused in the morning.

On that note, thanks again for all the replies, and I bid you all a good night! Bed is calling me lol.

[ELVIS68]

Night...and be careful...we don`t wanna see you on Crimewatch on one of those grainy cctv cameras being robbed


And please...don`t have nightmares