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Original poster

Staff searches at work

87 replies

Meopham · 14/04/2018 22:24

Dd has just got back from her job she started a couple of weeks ago. They have random staff searches there, and I was a bit taken aback about it! Who else works in a shop, and has to be searched?

OP posts:
SchadenfreudePersonified · 14/04/2018 23:11

It's standard practice in retail - and i think with a jeweller's they'd be idiots NOT to check!

Original poster
Meopham · 14/04/2018 23:12

If you've got nothing to worry about then it shouldn't be a problem if it's protocol. I admit I would hate it though. But I see why it's necessary
Well, yes, she was aware when she took the job searches were part of it. I'm just a bit shocked at checking the waistbands of staff!

OP posts:
Landed · 14/04/2018 23:16

C A R K E Y S ? I too do not understand why they would say you cannot be in possession of your car keys, are you suppossed to leave them inside the car????

Original poster
Meopham · 14/04/2018 23:17

You can't subject someone to intimate searches even if they signed the contract unless you're obeying the law.
It's not exactly an 'intimate' search though, is it?

OP posts:
Original poster
Meopham · 14/04/2018 23:18

I too do not understand why they would say you cannot be in possession of your car keys
Although my dd doesn't drive, some staff might hide stock on their car while on shift

OP posts:
IntoTheFloodAgain · 14/04/2018 23:18

I worked at Boots a few years ago and that was normal, including pockets, shoes etc. We didn’t have to undo the waistband but we did have to run our fingers round the too on occasion. You don’t show anything and they don’t look in (atleast not ime) it’s just to see if anything falls out.

IntoTheFloodAgain · 14/04/2018 23:19

round the top*

Mary1935 · 14/04/2018 23:19

Heismyopendoor - where they looking for a washing machine!!!!

jcsp · 14/04/2018 23:20

Good job I wasn’t searched..... I made a double bed from offcuts. Whilst they were genuine offcuts I did plan them to be of useful sizes.

I think everyone made foreigners there from time to time.

PeterIanStaker · 14/04/2018 23:20

You're not supposed to have your keys, money, phone etc. about your person while you're working, I think it means. Locked away with your bag and other possessions would be fine. There's no need to anyway, so it's an easy rule to stick to.

SimonBridges · 14/04/2018 23:23

I had that in Boots too.
The waistband check was just running their fingers around your waistband.
They never checked when you left at the end of the day, but not lunch time which I thought was daft. Especially as I went home for lunch.

AnnieAnoniMouser · 14/04/2018 23:23

I'm just a bit shocked at checking the waistbands of staff!

I would be at say Sports Direct, but not at a jewellers. Even then though, anyone with half a brain is going to hide it better than in a waist band.

However, I’d be keeping an eye out making sure it wasn’t just the ‘pretty young things’ getting body searched.

Original poster
Meopham · 14/04/2018 23:24

We didn’t have to undo the waistband but we did have to run our fingers round the top on occasion
She had to undo the button AND zip, lift her blouse up so a (female) manager could run her fingers round the waistband of her trousers

OP posts:
Nickynackynoodle · 14/04/2018 23:25

An intimate search is a search of a bodily orifice other than the mouth. This isn’t an intimate search.

Original poster
Meopham · 14/04/2018 23:26

However, I’d be keeping an eye out making sure it wasn’t just the ‘pretty young things’ getting body searched.
No, it was blokes as well

OP posts:
Thundercatshoooo · 14/04/2018 23:26

I did a summer stint in tescos as a student, we had random checks by security, not every shift by any means. I worked on the tills and the rule was you couldn't have any cash on your person when on the shop floor. We had to empty pockets, take off shoes and show your socks. I bought trousers with no pockets and wore trainer socks so it took about 10 seconds to search me. If you happened to be leaving when they stopped you you had to show your bags too.

If I had to undo my trousers to be searched at work I would leave. Even if it was a female searching!

It was a male security guard searching us, over a decade ago. In an office just you and them in the room, I doubt they still do it now, it's a bit weird even lifting your trousers now I think about it. You just get on with it when you are 19 and want the money though!

Carouselfish · 14/04/2018 23:30

Worked in Debenhams about 15 years ago and didn't get put through this then.
Have worked in several shops during student days and never experienced this.
Very depressing, really.

TheHobbitMum · 14/04/2018 23:32

I work at aldi and locker, bag & car audits/searches are normal

HarshingMyMellow · 14/04/2018 23:32

I worked at Bank many moons ago and this was normal for us.

At the end of every shift I had to take off my shoes, have my bag searched etc..

But they only made me run my fingers round the edge of my waistband to prove that I had nothing stashed there (can't imagine how I would of smuggled a pair of trainers out like that though Hmm)

Actually undoing the trousers would of made me very uncomfortable, especially when it was a male member of staff doing the check.

CoolGirlsNeverGetAngry · 14/04/2018 23:34

I worked in retail in my late teens and we’d have to line up to have bag searches at the end of the day. I had a spell of really bad thrush and kept having to get cream/ pesseries for it in my lunch break so I basically unpicked the lining of my coat pocket and hid the packs in the inside of my coat. So I suppose if they’d been searching properly they could have checked that too!

Thundercatshoooo · 14/04/2018 23:35

Undoing your button and zip with you top held up Confused that's a bit much! So you are basically showing someone at work your knickers!!

IntoTheFloodAgain · 14/04/2018 23:36

She had to undo the button AND zip, lift her blouse up so a (female) manager could run her fingers round the waistband of her trousers

Oh I’ve not heard it go that far before! I’d have been quite intimidated when I was still new at Boots, even if it was female managers.

I think you do have the right to refuse as regardless of contract they need your consent but I imagine sadly for a new member of staff it could cost them their job.

AnnieAnoniMouser · 14/04/2018 23:37

No, it was blokes as well

That’s good. When I was a teenager and worked in retail at the weekends, it just used to be us ‘pretty young things’ that had the more intense searches, the lads and older staff didn’t. It didn’t really bother me at the time, but it would now if it was my young DD.

Now I’d hate it because I wouldn’t want the people I work with seeing my wobbly bits. Far too embarrassing.

I wonder how often they do it? I guess it’s up to DD, I’m sure she’d find another job if she left.

Shizzlestix · 14/04/2018 23:37

Saw security patting down customers leaving one day in Sports Direct and was appalled. Phoned a police officer (mate) to check, who said this is absolutely not allowed and constitutes assault. I’m a little horrified at the undo clothing searches!

TTCI · 14/04/2018 23:39

I work for Tesco and we get staff searched but don't have to undo trousers as that would be a no no. But we do run our thumbs around the inside of the waistband. There had to be 2 managers doing it and they ask you if you are ok with them doing it. (You can request someone else)

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