Girls arriving and leaving work early morning late evening

[OneCheeryGoldMoose]

I know I'll probably be told off but just for traffic posting on here.

My husband and I run a company and we have two younger girls who run the office with us.

Husband and I are going away for three weeks for a wedding and making a family holiday of it as it's over the other side of the world.

We have an office that's on an industrial estate and is very dark and not well lit in the mornings and evenings- and we start early due to the nature of the business 5.30/6am to get all the boys in and out with job pack if they are required on the day.

Normally we pick the girls up on the way in and drop them home during the winter for safety as they are local.

I know it's probably over the top of me but we are worried about them feeling safe getting in and out on their own in the mornings and evenings (it is a sketchy South London Industrial estate)- does anyone have any suggestions to make them feel a bit safer. We have a ring camera set up on the door of the office.

None of the boys can bring them in as they have material to pick up.

Keep on going? I offered once to get them a cab? They said no and it hasn't been mentioned again???

What other ways though? you have offered the most obvious way and they have refused. They are going to travel in together.

What's wrong with that?

It's South London, there's an absolute myriad of options open to them, even in the early hours. It's the one thing I miss about the place since I moved to the north.

Is there any special reason why they can't take public transport?

You’re being very kind but they’re from adults and you need to listen to them.

You said "That's the whole extent and they've said no, so I'm thinking of other ways to help" which indicates you aren't letting it go, you are actively trying to do something else.

That's why I assumed you haven't just left it

I think there is advice for lone working in this way that you can find online.
Maybe run through the advice with them to make sure they are comfortable and understand how to keep themselves safer in these areas at those times. I think that being in pairs. Staying aware of surroundings and having a plan, using ubers.

I don't think it's inappropriate that you are concerned.
I wouldn't go ott or be patronising , but it's true that there are extra risks.

You’ve offered but now I’d leave them to make their own decisions.

But with regards to taxis/Ubers I would be cautious - after the Worboys case and the fact that anyone can be driving your Uber, I think a woman on her own is safer on public transport. If your employees are planning to travel together they have already made a smart choice.

If you've offered a taxi and they have refused then that's all you can do.

However, as it is for 3 weeks you should make arrangements so that they can change their minds if they decide that you were right after all. They might be fine on most days but there might be a particular day when there's someone dodgy-looking hanging around.

It would be easy to set up an account with a local taxi firm, give them details of how to order a taxi on account, and let them know that they are 100% allowed to do so at any time to get to and from work while you are away. If they don't want to that's fine, they are adults capable of making this choice.

Get better security than a ring doorbell for starters.

Is it likely that the business could be targeted for Money/stock etc? Do they actually need to be there so early alone?

How long will they be there alone?

things like risk assessments/lone worker policies exist for a reason

Have you asked them how they intend to get to work and back again ?
Do you need to still give them lifts in the morning and home again ?

Given they have refused a taxi I would want to ensure I have made it plain this was offered. In case anything happens to them.
Do you think they will be coming to work ? But perhaps just not working their full day !

Could you give them a travel allowance for the time you are away? Apart from that what else is there you can't force a taxi on them.

You have done the right thing by offering, let them make their own way and tell you if they want to change their minds.

Taxi - I used to work in an office that required late finishes at 10pm. It was policy after someone was mugged outside the door that we took a cab home or onwards to a livelier location.

Two questions - if they come to harm will you be liable under your employers insurance because they're working hours are unsocial? If so, you can insist.
If they are compromised, could someone gain access to valuable equipment and material?
Both would be grounds for you to insist.

Ring camera - a wired one placed high up would be sensible anyway or proper CCTV so you can have some peace of mind. Both can be monitored remotely and there are probably services that offer support if needed.

I think it's lovely that you care so much about your employees OP. Ignore all those who say it's patronising. We also call the males in our workplace the boys and we are the girls.

Some people just need to find something to be offended about on an hourly basis and need ignoring

If I'm staying late for any reason, I have to text my boss when I'm home safely and I'm 56 !

It is good you care - we recently had an employee attacked outside our offices in the early evening (not late but dark of course) and there is a standing offer of security walking us to cars etc.

I would accept what they say for now, but let them know the offer always stands and should they feel unsafe while you’re away they can get a taxi in and you will pay.

You’ve offered they’ve said they are ok. I’d tell them if at any point they want a taxi or an uber they are not to hesitate and you will reimburse them.

FWIW i think your a lovely employer. My boss would make me travel through the fires of hell to be at my desk for 9am

Presumably that’s what they call each other, as so many people do with friends and colleagues. God forbid anyone reading this says she’s having a coffee with the girls, or that DH has gone out with the boys.

If they are starting work at 5.30/6am, surely they can't be staying that late on site anyway?!

Wow can't believe some of these responses.
I think this is a very kind offer to your employees. I can sort of see why they might feel uncomfortable accepting it but I think it's great of you to do so.

Is there any way you can get better lighting on the site? Maybe discuss with other building owners?

Get a big fuck-off PIR light on the front. Maybe put lights in the building itself on timers so that it is lit up when they arrive?

I'd insist on no lone working and put it in writing and get them to contribute to a risk assessment. But I'm a stickler for governance!

Access to online Uber account, they can use it or not. We have a family one so the kids are never stranded. Account payer gets notified of all activity.

I think you are very kind and thoughtful. Is there parking available if they had own transport?

No, they finish around 3pm then we normally just give them a lift home. So yeah you're correct, I am more concerned about mornings.

Make sure they have the uber account details and suggest they use ot if travelling alone if one is ill or has to go early. Say that the offer to use uber is there but they have said they'll be OK.

Cover yourself @OneCheeryGoldMoose if something goes wrong, the nicest people get litigious, or those who influence them do.

Have a lovely holiday and great that you are looking out for the girls. I'm 65 and still like to be one of the girls. My mum's 89 and so does she. It's perfectly normal.

You sound like a lovely employer. I agree with others that you can let it lie now as they’ve made a choice they’re comfortable with. As pp said- maybe just make sure they know the offer is there and they are welcome to use it if they change their minds.

As for ‘boys’ and ‘girls’- I don’t personally use this language for adults, and I don’t like it when people use ‘girls’ for women they don’t know, but I understand it’s pretty common in some areas and contexts, and not my business to police it. I’m sure if the ‘girls and boys’ in question don’t like it, they are free to ask others not to use those terms for them.