Crying and shaking re leaving work tonight... who is to blame? Car left behind

[alltoomuchrightnow]

I'm several weeks into a new job, famous large retailer (please don't ask me to name) and so far they have been pretty good to work for.
Mon-Fri we can use the store's regular car park (ie the customers one)
Weekends are too busy so we park at the store's depot, 20 minutes walk away. A shuttle service is laid on from store to here, although if traffic is bad , staff will often end up walking in ; not an issue in daylight. HR say they'd rather we use the shuttle than walk (it's not a great area, dodgy underpass, badly lit at night etc..they know a few eves ago I was approached for money in the regular car park)
I always finish at night (as work late afternoon to late eve shifts) and my hours have been extended slightly, however, I've always made the last shuttle back to the depot. I've had chats with the drivers and they always say they have a good idea of who is left in the store and can't go (home) until the last day/eve staff are out. Also a tannoy announcement is made to remind us re the last bus.
I can't leave until my department is tidy for the next morning and all the stock recovery is finished. Particularly busy tonight and I worked alone as they are short staffed. As often happens but tonight was busier. (I'm the only dept that doesn't have a team..it's just me and now a new part timer who won't be doing lates)
I stayed half an hour late, as I often do, as I say, I can't leave until things are done, I don't have an issue with this, I've been in retail for a decades and I know the score. (This isn't a martyr thing and I have missed the last bus back before, )
Anyway I finished and clocked out and asked at reception, had I just missed a bus. It finished for the night, half an hour ago, they said.
I was knackered after being on feet all night but went off to walk back to my car. The depot is on an industrial estate and poorly lit. No one was around at all. Nothing happened but I realise anything could have (also the depot is at the very back of the ind estate, tucked away) but I knew I could get into my car at the end. I felt vulnerable but didn't even see another person.
And then I got to the gates of the depot and they were locked.
At this point, standing out there in the dark, I did feel really vulnerable and burst into tears. I live 12 miles away and DP is away working most of the time.
Luckily DP got back last night. He came to get me but I don't think it's acceptable. If he'd not been around I'd have been stuck as no public transport to where we live (remote) and I don't have the money for a taxi. My car is obviously still there and as I'm back working tomorrow I won't be able to collect it until tomorrow evening.
I was standing out there in the dark for 45 minutes waiting for him. I'd had a gruelling shift, am not feeling well and had no energy at all to walk back to work, where no one would be able to help anyway as just the night workers and one security guy.
I will speak to HR tomorrow.
Would you be mad?
At no point since started work have I ever been told/warned that the depot's car park closed at a certain time. I assumed it was open 24/7 like the stores (where people work 24/7)
My issue isn't so much missing the bus as that was just something I'd suck up, I knew I'd have to work late. But not being able to get to my car is crazy!

I think you should think a little more on this one and propose a workable solution.

As it stands, because you decide to work late, you expect the bus driver and the person who is responsible for the depot gates to not be able to finish their shifts. That’s unreasonable.

Is parking a benefit offered to you and documented in your contract? If not, and you go in all guns blazing, you might see the company suddenly becomes less gracious about providing free parking in their depot, and a shuttle bus.

The company has a duty of care to you. I wouldn’t go in all guns blazing, but I would say this isn’t reasonable. You either need to go earlier, or be allowed to park in the customer car park. This company will allow this I am certain as apart from anything else the bad publicity of anything happened to anyone would not be good for their reputation.

Everything else aside, if you are having to do an hour unpaid it might be taking you below minimum wage,

@m0therofdragons is saying that the op shouldn't have to accept that shit again due to what happened.

Op I get a sense of anxiety because you are on probation. Please don't worry. What happened isn't a reflection on your abilities to do the job it was their fault.

Good luck OP. As others have said, go in calmly and rationally if you haven't already.
. Explain

• you were unable to access your car last night and hadn't been told the car park shut and you hadn't heard the last bus tannoy if there was one
• you envisage, because the store is so short-staffed, that you will be in the same situation again at some point
• it's dangerous for everyone and an additional problem for you since you have had previous bad experiences, live rurally and cannot depend on your DP
• would you be able to take time to move your car round after store close
• what can they suggest?

It sounds like a catalogue of errors by who ever looks after staff transport.
And it's not acceptable.

I hope the company resolve it and reassure you it wont happen again. But I'd be parking in the main car park whilst on the later shift from now on.

Is it normal not to allow retail staff to use the car parks? I’ve always assumed staff do park there, many retail establishments are in the middle of nowhere after all.

This is not the job for you or anyone tbh appalling way to treat staff.

What happened last time you missed the last bus OP - you said you'd missed it before? Presumably the car park was still open at that point but you were later last night?

Was there a tannoy announcement about the last bus as usual? I think it would be reasonable to raise what happened last night with HR and/or your line manager and say that in future you will be getting the last bus regardless of the state of the department.

Is the procedure documented anywhere - staff handbook, email to you after last time?

It might be useful to use that as a starting point and ask HR or your manager to explain how it's suppose to work, so you can check your understanding from the perspective of you having to tidy up before you leave, with the risk that creates that you might miss the shuttle, never mind that your car got locked in. But also, as others have suggested, go in with some constructive suggestions about small changes that could make a big difference and avoid a repeat - for you or anyone else.

Hope they get it, so that you get this sorted.

How are you doing OP? I hope you've been able to sort things out

Sorry for late reply. Been up to my eyes with work or catching up with sleep and chores when off today

I will take time to read the new replies! Thank you for them

Update is that I saw HR yesterday and they did listen.
Tannoy had not gone out on Saturday night announcing last shuttle, they said they'd look into this . Spoke to others who had also been listening out for it (but were at least able to leave and not miss shuttle). Harder position for me as I'd been working alone and can't leave until things are done (other departments, employees work in group) She acknowledges it's a bit of a kick in the teeth to stay late, unpaid, because they are short staffed, doing them a favour, to find myself locked out . Acknowledges the industrial estate is empty and badly lit with no cameras in area I was in (my point was , cameras don't prevent attack anyway)
She thinks the depot car park may have closed early (why wasn't it announced on tannoy? or that a car was left there? Apparently it's always announced if one is and you have warning to get there) Again looking into.
I'm seeing her tomorrow for update.
It's agreed that from now on each Saturday after 8pm I can go and collect my car and bring it down to customers car park. (this is a pain as it's hard for me when mainly working alone to have to take approx 25 minutes out to do this, from a busy department, but needs must). Unfortunately I can't use customers car park before then as it's too busy at weekends. I'm hoping that this is in their time and not using up my entire break so will look into this. However for me it will be peace of mind to have my car in our own car park which doesn't get locked up. I should add that although none of this situation is ideal it's not for much longer as after xmas I change departments, where I will be in a team and we all leave together, and on time.. which is impossible for me where I am right now and usually finishing up alone.
I stated that when my hours were doubled (meaning my leaving time became later ) I should have then been informed re last bus times but especially that the depot car park would lock at a certain time. There was no warning. The shop's car park doesn't ever lock and we have security guards, I wasn't told the other car park is different to this. I said they had a duty of care and none of this was mentioned in the health and safety induction. After all, they dictate where we can park at weekends. I am responsible for myself BUT need all the relevant information. As a lone woman I'm not allowed to park in the usual car park at weekends and I told her that even there I was hassled for money a few nights ago so she can imagine my concern re saturday's situation (she did)
I explained that having my way of getting home blocked was v scary and having to wait where I was. I didn't go into my past in detail but said it's because of violence that I am living in this part of the country. They have a duty of care to not put employees at risk (there is nowhere else to park.. we are not in a town centre.. there's no pay car parks or residential, for eg)
She did offer me details of a counselling service (re my past, not this incident!) She understood how it must have been a trigger for me too
Anyway I await the update..

Motherofdragons, they only want me for later shifts. That's when it's busiest. Mornings are dead for eg. I took the job knowing I'd always be there beyond the store closing and I'd be responsible for my own department and getting that ready for the next morning. That is the nature of the job and also what I'm used to in my retail history, however I've never had the transport/ parking issues before. And to be honest, until this, the later shifts did suit me

A couple of answers after reading through -

Yes my car was last one left as far as I know. My friend has been there longterm and parks there. He says they would always let the store know, with notice, re cars left so people could get over there. As I said , he was listening out for tannoy too re last bus, and it didn't happen. But he says that late cars should be announced too. However I would have made sure I didn't have a 'late car' if I'd known the situation re that car park. I'd have gone to fetch it on my break.
I'm in a difficult situation as on probation. Had my first monthly review and it was excellent. I have 5 more to 'pass' before I get to my first appraisal when they decide if they stay or go. I'm kind of torn between wanting to keep up their good first impressions of me but certainly don't want to be a martyr to the job or seen as doormat. I was meant to have a 'buddy' in this dept but he dropped them in it by leaving when I started. I'm also in a dept that is far busier and has more 'recovery' items (left items to be sorted and put away) than other depts. plus the other depts have teams!. (If I'd known, I'd not have agreed to work in that dept! But as I said, after xmas I change)
I'm on slightly more than minimum wage. When I first started, I just left on my Saturday night almost on time, to make the bus. So this meant leaving the dept less than perfect. Got a bollocking for this so it's very much a can't win situation .
My dept manager can't help as in another dept due to staff sickness.
I'm not the only late worker as the night workers come in after the shop closes. However, because of that time they can park in the customers car park. They work all through the night. But my shifts start at 3pm so I have to park where I do

Anyway... to summarise.. they seem to sympathise but the only conclusion is.. 'move your car later on'.

Bakedbeans, when I worked at TK Maxx for eg, that was also on a retail park with no staff parking. So yes us staff used the customer car park.
This store however, is way way busier than any TK.
Queues around the block at weekend. So I get it. I'd have to leave hours early to get in! And they prioritise customers getting a space (many don't as give up)
It is a store that people travel a long way for, there is not enough parking

You are however completely overreacting and just winding yourself up into a frenzy now which won't be helpful to you

There was no frenzy. I'm someone who used to think they were invincible . eg travelled in Asia and Australia alone, didn't even have a mobile phone with me. But life has changed drastically since I did that back in the Noughties.
If you'd been attacked/ assaulted on numerous occasions (in your own country, not while travelling) and raped, and you found yourself in an unlit area at night unable to get to your car, would you feel perhaps a tad panicky? If you had PTSD already would you not see how it could be a trigger? And would you also be angry, even if you weren't actually scared?

Glad you’ve got it sorted after a fashion. You sound very hard working and I hope they realise they’re lucky to have you!

thanks, BakedBeans, I'd be angrier if been there longterm but as a newbie I'm trying not to stir up too much a fuss!
However it's not a good start (for me) as I had my purse stolen too in my first week there

Wellthisisshit, thanks for your replies and for understanding.
Yes I have some strategies but kind of went out of the window after an exhausting and v physical shift when I just wanted to get home

I'm guessing you work at IKEA OP

@alltoomuchrightnow I wasn't having a go at you and think my message was misinterpreted. Employer should set responsible hours that enable staff to get home safely. Xx

Sounds awful - I hope you get the time to move your car without it being s break as that's unfair, can't believe they're not paying you the overtime you have to work because they're short staffed either!!!
I was locked out of a car park once at work, I could walk in but not drive out - eventually I found a phone number that worked on a sign in a dark corner and they just said 'oh yes silver BMW, we had to lock it in as the travellers are in the area so we need to keep it locked now after 7pm - we'll be with you in about 30 mins as out and about - I burst into tears and old them my children were needing to be looked after and my husband to go to work, why thebHELL hadn't somebody left s number on my windscreen (I spent about half hour ringing a number on the main information board which was wrong ) ... I was apoplectic when they arrived and told them in no uncertain terms they they'd put me at risk as the area is bad, I was alone and it was dark. They just said oh there's a pub over there you'd have been fine 🤬 - I never even got an apology!

I totally understand why you’re upset. I would have been terrified. I’m really scared of being alone at night.

It sounds like maybe they had different staff on that night or someone unfamiliar with procedure. Hopefully the bus and car park staff will get a warning and this won’t happen again, but I do understand why you might prefer to move your car.

If mornigs are dead but late shift is short staffed, can you agree with your manager that you leave on time and that morning shift tidies the area up?

If this is the retailer i am guessing, i am a bit surprised and disappointed - they like to give the impression of themselves as an organisation that looks after their staff, in fact don’t they refer to them all as a ‘family’ in their induction/promotion materials

Bit rubbish of them really.