Parking issue

[Juno77]

I work in a private club.

There is a big car park out to the front of the building, and a smaller one round the side, next to the door. The staff use the smaller one.

Often, when the staff arrive, this area has been filled by lazy members who want to park closer to the door.

The operating hours only cover daytime (so members don't arrive or leave at night), but the staff are here early when it is still dark, and late into the night. It is in a very secluded area, and the staff don't feel safe walking across the carpark to their cars - so we asked if we could have the side part for staff only.

Note - the side one has lighting and is only 10 steps from the door. The big one has no outdoor lighting (can be pitch black - we have to use torches sometimes) and obviously depending on space, you can be parked quite far away. You can't always see your car from the door.

The request went to the board. The board denied it.

AIBU to be pissed off? This is peoples safety.

[zipzap]

Any reasonable male members that would take up your case? Or 'close friends' that could write to the local newspaper to see if they think it is reasonable (obviously you wouldn't want to do this yourself in case they decided not to continue with your services, but a 'worried friend' could on your behalf), especially if you play up the misogynistic old male angle...

Are any of the members that you get on well with solicitors? Could the female staff write a formal letter as a group to be held on file to complain raise the issue and the risks as you see them, and raise the spectre of liability if there was a problem... Get the friendly lawyer member to cast their eye over it it whilst you pour them a free drink and hopefully they will a) say it's ok and b) have a little chat with the board to point out that they are laying themselves open to being sued if there are future problems.

[Wordsaremything]

What are you more worried about?
The disrespect shown by the male dominated environment you work in when voicing your concern or a genuine fear that any of your colleagues - male or female presumably- will be attacked in the golf club car park? Are the men using this car parking issue as a way of underlining what they think is a superior status?
Is this golf club in a very bad area and have their been any worrying incidents? I think the head torch idea a very sensible one.
Walking in dark places has never remotely bothered me, but then I live in the country.

[Wordsaremything]

What I'm getting at is the type of crime I would associate with the scenario you describe would involve some form of vehicle theft, although this is becoming increasingly uncommon with better security features, theft of cash or goods through break in, or more rarely assault on a member of staff carrying keys or cash. So not necessarily a gender issue. Are you worried about security more generally?

[Wordsaremything]

Sorry scrub round that. You never said it was a gender issue. My apologies.