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.

That's kind of you to care.

Really you shouldn't be referring to your staff as 'girls' and 'boys'. They're professional adults. So women and men or just staff would be fine.

But, that's not really the point is it, so sorry!

If you can afford it you could offer them taxis? Depending on where they live they could share one?

Beyond that I'm not sure what else you can do. Provide them with rape alarms and legal pepper spray?

You should ask them what they think might be helpful.

I work in a traditionally male dominated profession, and it is NOT acceptable. It wasn't okay when I was in my early 20s and on the recieving end of it and it is NOT okay now that I'm in by 40s and having to support new young female colleagues through being on the recieving end of it.

How depressing. What if a 'girl' in an engineer? Does it stop 'boys' from being employed in the office?

I agree . You sound very nice.
Enjoy your trip

Sad reflection of our times that anyone would see kindness as being patronising.

You’ve offered taxis, they’ve declined. Just let them know they’re welcome to expense them if they change their minds.

I think you sound lovely and this is the exact sort of company I hope my DD gets a job at (and myself!).

But I am shocked at the posters suggesting you get them a taxi!!

These are grown women who chose to apply and accept this job knowing the area and start times.

It’s lovely that you’re thinking of them but they are responsible for keeping themselves safe.

You have offered to pay for a taxi which is more than kind and so you have done more than enough already.

I don’t think you come across as patronising or controlling or offensive in any way btw.
Saying boys and girls would not offend me.

Oh stop looking for something to be offended by.

In ten years' time the work environment is going to be very miserable.

If the employees are treated with respect and according to employment law and are perfectly happy with the status quo then it's no-one else's' business.

Their environment sound so much happier than so many professions with 80 hour weeks and policies that don't allow for individuality or breathing space

Within the office/amongst yourselves you know each other and the boundaries

But when asking for advice from other people, calling them "younger girls" in this context infantalises them

They are able to make their own decisions about safety. You offered them an Uber, they've said no they have a plan. That's the end of it. No need to come on MN and ask, in a way that does come off quite patronising, for more advice

I believe that poster happens to just have all females working in the office and vice versa which is why people say ‘the girls’ - if it was more mixed sex then they likely not say the girls.

Can’t believe the thread has been derailed. OP, you’ve offered taxis, they’ve declined. Do as you suggested and make an account available to them to use as they need while you’re away.

They obviously feel safe enough so asking for advice to "make them feel a bit safer" is the issue

It's the fact they've said they're OK and OP is still pushing the idea they aren't that's patronising, not the initial kindness

So if you're out with friends on a night out and one offers you a cab and you say no and they say ok well can you text me when you're in and walk home with your flashlight on, you're going to turn round and call them patronising. I think not.

Far more concerning the level of reading ability of the average MN poster.

Offering taxis is kind, and a sign of a good employer.

Refusing to accept that adults can make their own risk assessment and forcing the matter is patronising.

As others have said, they might feel less safe with an Uber than travelling in together - it is for them to decide.

Haha, I got called "babe" the other day, in the office (construction engineering). And I'm 59 in a couple of weeks. 😆

You're a lovely employer, OP. You've made the offer, up to them whether they want to accept it.

Text when home fine but telling me to turn my torch on? Yes, I'd tell them they were patronising me by making any decisions about how I conduct myself as an adult.

I'd probably roll my eyes at them for saying flashlight too but that's besides the point.

Women are welcome to apply- we had a woman working for us many years ago. She gave herself the nickname Big Bitch due to her ability to haul concrete blocks which I am sure will HORRIFY many people on here 😂

Indeed
The pub I frequent gets an Uber home for all staff. It does end at 1.00 though but when DH and I had a pub, we would close at the 11.00 and the ladies behind the bar would be ordered cabs home,

Far more concerning the level of reading ability of the average MN poster

I love that you wrote that, without even a hint of irony.

Have you got a security camera on the outside? Movement detector flood light?
Can you call a team meeting to ensure a process, ie everyone checkin with each other first thing, the boys and girls, and if anyone is missing or not turned up then what to do next?
Do they have an emergency contact?
Is there a security chain on the inside of the office door they can put on while working early hours in the office?

Rage bait

Fucking hell this thread

You've not done anything wrong here, and you've taken suggestions. In my old job if anyone was in the office after 7pm then taxis were booked for them.

I wouldn't work in a trade environment for a reason 😅 but I appreciate all you're doing is try to look out for employees that you normally see to and from work. Ignore the rest.

Hiya 👋
My first thought was a flood light 😆
But maybe good lighting for the outside of the office building? 💡
Also they will probably meet up and travel together in a pair 💕

You sounds like a very kind boss. 😇

As for calling people girls and boys, it never bothered me, and my dad was a tradesman. 🤔
Now if they're happy with it (your employees), then I don't see any reason to change. 🤷‍♀️
@OneCheeryGoldMoose

Grow up. Really.