Was I wrong to refuse sale at work urgent advice needed

[LemonBlueberryX]

So this morning at work (I work in retail - but not a supermarket, think along the lines of b&m), someone came in and tried to buy an item. I was working on the till. When they came to the till I felt frozen on what to do as I didn’t feel comfortable selling this item in these circumstances (based on a stereotype of what this person looked like). I asked for ID (it’s a look25 item) hoping they wouldn’t have it so I could refuse sale but they did. After that I felt I had to make a choice and so I refused sale. Because of things that have happened in my area recently I felt that by allowing this sale I would be personally contributing to bad things.

They kicked off and asked for the manager who came over and asked me why I refused the sale and I just froze and couldn’t answer. Manager took over the till and served the person. The rest of my shift went on as normal but Managers just whatsapped me an hour ago asking me to come in at 10 tomorrow for a chat. I don’t work saturdays so not usually in. What do I say?

I dont really want this getting back to my manager so have tried to be vague about said item

Kill someone? knife crime and gangs are rife in my area

Actually you do. When you sell something, you offering for sale, and you can withdraw that offer at any time. When you have accepted payment, then the sale is deemed completed.

then you need to be disciplined - and possibly look for a job where you won't be selling knives

Why did you think he was involved in knife crime?

“may be involved”

You don’t know that, so shouldn’t have made that call.

If i were you i would request a copy of your workplace policy on this or dig it out of your paperwork drawer so you know in advance what you should have done. If they have no policy on this, be honest and say why you did what you did but also add you are open to learning from the experience and would appreciate training or a policy on this to clarify it for everyone.

i think if it has to do with safety/safeguarding then your intentions were good if you were worried about someone getting hurt eg taking an overdose or buying alcohol with intent to supply to underage people

If you’ve had training regarding this, refer back to that. You’ve done nothing wrong.

My DS and GF got a home together when they were 18. They headed off to IKEA and couldn't buy a knife or a fork.

Not the same situation. You posted a process thst was agreed (presumably) with your store/management

OP unilaterally decided (based on experience) not to sell an item due to how the person looked - that is not ok.

Refer back to your training and if your workplace don’t have any it’s their error, not yours. I wouldn’t feel comfortable selling a knife to an 18year old either.

On what basis do you think they’re involved in knife crime?

We don't have any specifically on this and my manager had no qualms on serving him after I refused

It is an odd thing for an 18 year old to buy. Was there nothing else he tried to purchase? So just the knife?
Obviously you can't predict what people may use their purchases for. I bought some scissors the other day and could use those as a weapon.

When you have your meeting, just ask for advice/training on what the company/managers expect you to do in that situation. Explain your concerns. It sounds like you didn't say anything at the time so managers have no idea what you were thinking

Lived experience

Just a single knife and nothing else. People are comparing it to their DC moving out for the first time and buying kitchen stuff. Why would they just buy 1 knife?

It sounds like you’ve discriminated on the basis of one of the protected characteristics.

I used to be a store manager at Woolworths and we wouldn't have sold certain knives to teenagers, but it was a policy. Same as glue and carrier bags and spoons and foil.

You mean you actually know this individual?

or he fits your view of what a criminal looks like?

So you don’t sell knives to people based on what criteria that you’ve invented?

What was it about them that made you think what you thought?

Being an 18 year old white boy? How is any of that protected?

I would say I assumed buying a knife required them to be over 25.

Maybe just tell us a little more without giving too much detail away, so you can get some proper advice?

there is may different things it could be…

was it an item that could hurt them or someone else? Maybe you felt uncomfortable to sell for that reason if they seemed aggressive/angry/unstable?

medication?
alcohol?
alcohol/medication combination?

I'm sure that you will be fine, but you will be expected to give an explanation for your reasoning to put a stop to the sale.

if they aren’t satisfied with your explanation (they may feel you have been a bit judgemental) they will likely put you on some extra training courses.

You can't stereotype a customer based on your own personal experience.

Or she may have just saved a life