Lockers at work - can they 'make' you use them?

[minskey]

If they WARN that you might be filmed (because the cameras happen to be there for other reasons) I suspect there is nothing illegal about it, HOWEVER the important detail is the security issue. If it ain't secure, they CANNOT insist you leave valuables there.
Wonder how they would cope with my mobile phone, which is invariably in a POCKET (I don't do handbags)?
Come to think of it, if they get really difficult couldn't you make a sex-discrimination issue out of it? Men use pockets, so who would know what they are carrying; most women (unlike me) use handbags........

There are no CCTV signes for staff or public and After another conversation with my line manager yesterday. Phones will be removed wherever they are, switched off or not, pocket, bag or on the desk. I was told I could take my valuables out of my bag i.e. drivers licence, credit/debit cards, keys, diary & even purse with money and place them in an envelope and put them in the drawer [which is large enough for my bag] under my desk, am I going nuts or what......... Just where is the logic

[zazen999]

Minsk; what I would be asking is what is the reason for the change and can a few of you sit down with the managers and work out a way to address the issue that caused the change as it is never going to work [ask for a horse, get a dog]....and suggest some practical solutions in advance to be either considered or discussed.

Often they just haven't thought it all through....

[Hilary B]

There are no CCTV signes for staff or public and After another conversation with my line manager yesterday. Phones will be removed wherever they are, switched off or not, pocket, bag or on the desk. I was told I could take my valuables out of my bag i.e. drivers licence, credit/debit cards, keys, diary & even purse with money and place them in an envelope and put them in the drawer [which is large enough for my bag] under my desk, am I going nuts or what......... Just where is the logic

How will they know about a switched off phone in a pocket? If they are insisting that bags cannot be taken into that area I still reckon you have a case for sex discrimination, unless they are also insisting that all those who carry things in pockets empty those pockets into envelopes....

[OllieMartin]

How will they know about a switched off phone in a pocket? If they are insisting that bags cannot be taken into that area I still reckon you have a case for sex discrimination, unless they are also insisting that all those who carry things in pockets empty those pockets into envelopes....

As far as I was aware your employer has no right to see what you're carrying in your pockets, only police with just-cause have a right to ask you to empty them.
The only way your employer could do this is if they instigate manditory, regular and fore-warned pocket searches for ALL members of staff. Selecting one individual is an infringement of human rights, prejudice and could constitute and act of harrassment or bullying in the workplace.

As has already been mentioned:
They CANNOT negate responsibility for your belongings if they have insisted they you leave them away from your person.
They CANNOT use security cameras for anthing other than security.
They CANNOT use CCTV cameras without suitable signage warning you of their use BEFORE you are within view of them.

If you refuse to follow their rules, they will have two courses of actions:
1. To review their policies and make them legal, justifiable and fair.
2. To take disciplinary action against you, for which you'd have a perfectly good case for harrasment in the workplace or should you leave/be sacked for it you'd also have a case for constructive dismissal.

[minskey]

If you refuse to follow their rules, they will have two courses of actions:
1. To review their policies and make them legal, justifiable and fair.
2. To take disciplinary action against you, for which you'd have a perfectly good case for harrasment in the workplace or should you leave/be sacked for it you'd also have a case for constructive dismissal.

Oh I really don't know what to do. I cannot afford to lose my job but I think I'm being bullied, the rest of the team think they are as well. If I stick my neck on the block will the team do so as well??? It's driving me to tears [and I'm not a weak person, I don't cry easily] The unison rep is a choccy fireguard. I love doing what I do.

In a conversation with my line manager I said I was nearly 50 years old and being treated like a child, her reply was 'yes I know'

[petal]

Do you need to take valuables to work? what are you putting in the locker? I have no safe place in my school so take just change, stick my mobile in my pocket etc? if so, can you just stick a plastic bag in the locker to keep them happy? Sorry, what is your job?, i am being ignorant! I just don't get it, what is their problem - unless you are a prison guard of course!

[OllieMartin]

I think the adult, logical way to deal with it is to ask if you can meet with the management to discuss a better solution to the problem and confirm what responsibilities they are prepared to take.
I think zaz already suggested this, but it really is the most secure, sensible and proactive way I can think of to deal with it.

[zazen999]

Yup; I think the approach of 'Look guvs, this is causing REAL problems with everyone, so how about a few of us meet with a few of you and find a solution - how about next Tuesday, I've got Jenny, Frank and Felicity who are free at 3pm - can we make it then in the meeting room'....then you aren't being hostile and showing that you are proactive and NOT a trouble maker [in fact you could say you are averting trouble by taking the reins and suggesting a compromise].

[snohare]

You could try sending an anonymous little note of the shennanigans to the local paper or radio station. The idea of mandatory searches will go down like a lead balloon, as will confiscation of phones. The words "best practice" might be good to throw in, as I'd think COSLA is bound to have a thought-through code of practice for this sort of situation.
You might find with a bit of the glaring searchlight of publicity on them, management will suddenly tread a bit more softly.

[minskey]

Do you need to take valuables to work? what are you putting in the locker? I have no safe place in my school so take just change, stick my mobile in my pocket etc? if so, can you just stick a plastic bag in the locker to keep them happy? Sorry, what is your job?, i am being ignorant! I just don't get it, what is their problem - unless you are a prison guard of course!

Hi Petal, I take my handbag which contains; all my keys, drivers licence, credit/debit card, Union membership card, AA card, purse [sometimes with money, always family pics inside], hairbrush, diary & Mobile. It's a 25 mile round trip. I work all sorts of hours from 9am to 2am. I work in a local theatre. the desk humungus, high front edge so it cannot be clime'd over, nothing except our face & upper body can be seen from the 'public' side & certanly no possibility of seeing underneath the desk..................

[minskey]

Oh forgot to add I was told 'we have had enough now about the lockers, we have to move on' Yeh right from the person [manager] who eats her chinese takaway on the front desk!!!!!

[SlugLobber]

Sounds like a horrible place to work! Don't suppose there's any way of looking for an alternative job?

[zazen999]

Oh forgot to add I was told 'we have had enough now about the lockers, we have to move on' Yeh right from the person [manager] who eats her chinese takaway on the front desk!!!!!

I'm afraid you might just have to say 'well, it won't go away until we come to an agreement, will it?'....I suppose everyone has been moaning rather than solving since they made the changes?

[minskey]

I'm afraid you might just have to say 'well, it won't go away until we come to an agreement, will it?'....I suppose everyone has been moaning rather than solving since they made the changes?

Hi Zazen999, no we have not been moaning I and my collegues have either individually tried to speak to our line manager, she will just not talk to us, will not see us a she 'is too busy ath the moment'. Her manager will not talk to us either as she say she is not our line manager

I have sent a CV off, but I'm 48 years old and it won't be easy will it.

I don't need this............... I lost my Dad less than a month ago which turned my world upside down even at my age.

[zazen999]

How many colleagues are there that this affects?

[Sorry to accuse you of moaning, but for the managers to say that they have had enough, suggests that people have been moaning].

Unless you either quote the above HSE to them, or sit down and address the problem there's not much anyone can really do about it; apart from suggest not to take valuables into work.