Is it normal for staff to have their bag searched when leaving work these days?

[nicenewone1]

Dd just started working in a posh clothing store. She says that they all have their bags searched when leaving. Well that might be a slight exaggeration, the manager looks into them as they leave

She was also questioned as to why she was taking her coat to the toilet draped over her arm

Is this normal practice these days? I would be very offended if it were me, but she doesn't seem to mind up to now.

Maybe I am being over sensitive?

I've worked in two places where we got bags searched, one was just high street and the other was high end clothing store. Both as a teen/early 20s whilst at uni.
Looking back, not sure it's right tbh - surely you trust your staff, and if you don't, why do you want them working for you?

Completely normal.

We had nightly bag checks when I worked in retail and that was back in 2005 so I imagine its been a thing for a long time.

Staff theft was a big problem even then.

In retail, yes it is. It's usually a company-wide rule so managers have to have a quick glance.

Yep, I worked in retail from 2006-2012 (big dept. store) and we had our bags searched when we left.

Yes normal in retail. Even as a teen with a Saturday job at Tesco we had bag searches.

Yes. I searched bags in the eighties when my staff finished their shift.

Our son's girlfriend worked for a well known high street fashion store over Christmas and had her bag checked as she left every night.
I worked for BHS in the early 1980's - didn't happen then.

Why did she take her coat to the restroom with her? A lot of stores here give their employees clear plastic pouches that they're supposed to use instead of a purse while they're working.

Yep, when I worked in a high street store about 15 years ago we had to press a button on our way out. The button made a light flash red or green if it was red the manager checked your bag. So it wasn't checked every time but randomly. I think it's pretty standard practice.

Normal in retail.

I believe the right to search bags is built into a lot of retail contracts? (I could be wrong but it has definately been the case wherever I have worked). It seems to be a given for employees of licensed premises in my experience. I guess the premise is that it shouldn't be any more than a minor inconvenience unless you are actually stealing.

I used to work for Boots and we used to. I was pissed off because I was told I couldn't have a lip balm in my pocket. I pointed out that it was a Superdrug one but I still wasn't allowed.

The thing that used to make me laugh was that I would go home for lunch and some staff would work half days. It was only at the end of the day that bags were checked so if you're going to nick anything you do it then.

Fairly standard I think. My place of work doesn't often do it but can ask to see bag, locker or inside of car.

We used to get searched when I worked in supermarket and that was 20 years ago

There was something in the press recently that they're allowed to but it has to be in paid shift time not after the shift has ended. Someone took their employer to court and won because they were finishing at 5pm then having their bag searched at 5:02 as they left.

Completely normal - I worked in retail during the late 90s and all staff, male and female, used to get their bags searched at the end of every shift before leaving.

Very normal in retail, either in store or in the warehouse.

I worked in Debenhams as a student in the early 90s and it was common practice then. Theft by staff is a massive problem in many stores.

We're meant to (retail) but it very rarely happens in reality. Only when we suddenly realise we haven't done it in months!

It is very standard though. I know someone who worked in superdrug and they got patted down by the security guard everytime she finished.

I'm out of touch obviously! I am absolutely at this!

She had her coat draped over her arm hiding tampons as the manager is a man and she was embarrassed! She did show him when asked though, and he apologised profusely saying it was his first time managing women!

Lots of friends and I worked in retail when in school & uni and completely normal. I worked in department stores and supermarkets & both did regular bag and pocket checks. You were meant to declare any high amounts of cash you carried before a shift too incase of any till differences although the contents of your purse would not be checked.

I had my bags searched in my first Saturday Jon in 1985 so it's not exactly new

possum have you a link for that please?

Forgot to say I've also worked in a call centre and there were random spit checks when you left your work area that you were not carrying confidential information i.e. Customer details