New job in 2 floor shop in my own

[Somebodyotherthanme]

Just started work on a charity shop.
I am on my own until they/I get volunteers.
It's on two floors but there are further floors which any one could get to if they wanted
I had to ask a very reluctant bloke to leave so I could lock up on my first day. Did a security check of 3 floors with lots of hiding opportunities before I left.
I got the willies good and proper and that was after a day where I couldn't get to the loo or get a drink.
I'm supposed to suck up a lot of this as it's a charity shop.
The two floor thing surely can't be safe/legal is it?
I didn't know whether I was just being a wuss?

It’s not illegal to have retail unit over multiple floor space,but clearly it troubles you.
Will they section off areas with no entry signs?
Presumably as a volunteer you’re not compelled to work at that location,or for the charity
The charity has a responsibility to maintain a safe work environment,have you reported your concerns?

I'm not a volunteer.
I have expressed my concerns.
Don't know what they will do.

You need to ask for the lone worker policy and risk assessments. Areas not in use could be locked by keypads for example.

I used to work in a shop and would have been very unhappy on my own, it’s a security risk.
One time we had a group of ladies come in and while two of them talked to us staff the other went downstairs and went through our bags and tried to open the safe.
I’m be complaining if I was you.

Glad I'm not being a wuss then.
I felt quite vulnerable.

It’s not just for your physical protection. There’s also a security implication around money. What I mean is accusations of dishonesty could be made against you if you don’t have a colleague to witness cashing up etc. Also do you hold store and safe keys? Holding both could make you vulnerable.

I worked in a smallish independent shop with multiple levels. I was regularly left on my own and I absolutely hated it. We were personally held responsible for any stock going missing but were unable to keep an eye on two floors when alone so it was a shoplifters paradise

We have no safe.
I hold the keys to the shop and when I leave I then go to the bank with the takings.

There aren't items of great value with it being a charity shop, but some of the customers are unnerving if you are alone.

Speak to your area manager and see if they can get someone to come in from another store. I'd also suggest a baby monitor is borrowed. May help you feel more comfortable.

You’re not being “wuss” in least.charity needs to do a lone worker risk assessment
An assessment For you,of the physical environment. And have contingency plans
I appreciate it will be unnerving

I worked alone aged 17 in a dog accessories local shop- stock all designer and very expensive. (Think boutique type store) I was left alone to work after 1 days training and didn't cash up properly at the end of the day as I couldn't fully remember how to do it. Turns out, I over/under counted by £25 and they accused me of stealing and fired me. My mum had to ring them and give them a bollocking for leaving me alone and vulnerable on my second day & for firing me without investigating!

They checked security cameras and could clearly see I hadn't taken any money so they didn't take it any further. Didn't receive an apology though.

So yeah, I would feel unsafe and unhappy about working alone. Whether or not the stock is cheap or expensive.

I would be very scared of doing that. If you have to check upstairs then presumably you'd have to lock up downstairs first? Anyone could be up there and you'd be very vulnerable.

I would stress potential loss of stock and sales due to shoplifters if they don't improve security or invest in extra staff. Also, you can't be in two places at the same time if you are downstairs serving customers and keeping an eye on the shop floor, you can't be upstairs sorting through donations.

Can they arrange another staff member come to store last hour of the day help you out,check building end of day and walk to bank together

That's really poor. I volunteer in a shop for one of the large charities and we have a policy of 2 people in the shop at all times. Under 18s and a couple of our adult volunteers who have special educational needs are not counted in that figure.

Once I arrived for my shift and took a phone message from the other person who should have been in, he was ill. Manager told me to keep the door locked and not let customers in until she got there.

Even having cctv by the tillpoint would not help if you need to serve a customer or go into a stockroom. What happens to cover breaks, Leave etc?

There’s also a security implication around money.

Also this - everything we do concerning money like giving a refund or opening the till for change has to be signed for by 2 people. How are you supposed to bank takings, get change or like you say, have a wee??

Is this a very small, independent charity which only has one shop and doesn't know what it's doing?

Also meant to add I've had no induction, health or safety info or anything.
Was largely shown the light switches and left to it, I've never encountered anywhere so chaotic and it's not just one shop, it's a small chain, I don't get it.
I thought it would be a great job chatting to people etc, I'm stressed and half a stone lighter.

Agree with others that you should have an assessment regarding lone working as what do you do for lunch, toilet breaks etc?
Working in a charity shop is very different to how you imagine - what training have you been given?