How to approach bag search

[Flowerbell66]

I work in retail and we have our bags/coats searched before leaving. This is company policy.

I’ve overheard staff talking that I’m suspected of theft quite some time ago. When I go to the staff room I can see that my bags/coat have been searched through without me present or consenting. I know this is the case as the pockets/sleeves can be turned outward sometimes and things aren’t in my bag in the order I leave them.

This has been going on for some time now and trust me I’ve been looking for another job. It’s getting on my nerves but is there anything I can do about it as obviously I can’t prove it. I haven’t stolen anything.

Any advice welcome.

Have you an HR department you can go to?

I don't know what you can do, but I would redouble your efforts to find another job. Your current employers sound dreadful.

Maybe ask if staff can have lockers because you've noticed that people have been rifling through your stuff and you're concerned about security?

If they suspect you of stealing, they need to tell you and follow a proper investigation process. Not just keep checking your stuff.

SIA licensed security here. They need to get your permission to search bags and coats, and I would never out my hands inside someone's coat or bags, even with them present. I would also get someone to empty their bags/pockets for me, then check myself that they are empty by looking.

You absolutely need to report this to your HR and/or Union. If they found anything in your bags/coat they would not be able to use it against you, plus whoever did it could be accused of theft.

Report this immediately. In the meantime, what do you need to bring in to work? Bring in the bare minimum (keys and phone), and put in a coat pocket. Or if you need to bring more get a rucksack with a small lock to lock the zips.

We have Hr but nothing would come of it without proof and then my job would be at risk.

That's really intrusive.

Can you take almost nothing - key/phone only?

We have lockers but also they don’t get locked and would seem odd. I also get tailgated by other members of staff before and during leaving and during the working day, and looking through the areas I work around.

Is there CCTV in this staff room? Also is your coat and bag just out for anyone to rifle through or are they in a locker?

No cctv in staff room unfortunately, in an unlocked locker, nothing ever looks like it’s stolen from me.

My approach so far has been I have nothing to fear as I have nothing to hide but it’s getting on my nerves and haven’t wanted to change my behaviour how I deal with this until I have another job lined up so I don’t get sacked for random reasons (which does happen if someone upsets management).

I’m reliable, don’t complain about others and perform the job pretty well and cover a less desirable shift (which works best for me) which is why I’m assuming they haven’t got rid of me so far.

Woah! If they’re already this bad I would be so scared of someone putting something in my bag or coat to frame me just so they were ‘proved’ right!

I'd be very tempted to put something nasty in my pockets. 5 yo child's snotty tissue? Something that could legitimately be in there.

Being a grown up, I think you should follow @DeltaAlphaDelta79 advice.

Can you take some sort of coat/top/jumper that has no pockets?

And just carry phone/key

You shoudln't have to, but I'd not want to be taking any risks with the shitty management.

Being a grown up, I agree with the snotty tissue or a baby wipe smeared with some Nutella 😂

I would be very tempted to buy a cheap hidden camera from wish and put it in the bag and have it recorded and then approach HR.

I was thinking carefully line a pocket with a ziplock bag, and half-fill it with baked beans. Someone will get a nasty shock if they stick their hands in 😇

This with bells on.
There is absolutely no way they should carry out a search without your consent and you been present ( and ideally a impartial witness)

They could plant anything in your bag / coat inc drugs.
Or ignore anything in their favourite member of staffs bag / coat .

Couldn’t you lock (or buy a lock for) the locker and say it’s because you’re worried someone has been through your stuff. Which is true. How horrible for you.

There's one way to prove it.

Get a friend to buy something from the shop. Put it in your coat pocket, tags still on. Keep the receipt with you.

Wait for the fall out, present them with the receipt and ask why the fuck they were going through your stuff.

Use a bag that can have the zip padlocked shut, and wear the key on a chain around your neck.

I would be very careful here OP. All it’s going to take is someone to plant something in your bag and accuse you of stealing and what’s your plan then?

Here you go @Flowerbell66 , have a look at this plus other gov pages
( sorry about the mile long link ! )

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=bag+serch+at+work+.gov.uk&sca_esv=757e01b514b177ca&sxsrf=ADLYWII3RsWI5Bf61JUMTeLJe8IkHDsmrQ%3A1729172381223&source=hp&ei=nRMRZ_yOC7KVhbIPv5ft6Qg&oq=&gs_lp=EhFtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1ocCIAKgIIADIHECMYJxjqAjIHECMYJxjqAjIHECMYJxjqAjIHECMYJxjqAjIHECMYJxjqAjINEC4YxwEYJxjqAhivATIHECMYJxjqAjIHECMYJxjqAjIHECMYJxjqAjIHECMYJxjqAjIHECMYJxjqAjIHECMYJxjqAjIHECMYJxjqAjIHECMYJxjqAjIHECMYJxjqAki3KVAAWABwAXgAkAEAmAEAoAEAqgEAuAEByAEAmAIBoAJdqAIPmANdkgcBMaAHAA&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-hp

You need to ask your manager why your things are being rifled through without you being present.
We would always get our bags checked before leaving when I worked in retail, but only ever with us present. I would randomly get my car searched when I worked in a warehouse. But again, I was always present

I would be getting a small camera and leaving it running in my bag in an attempt to catch someone going through my bag. I'd then wait to see if it keeps happening. Once I have a nice lot of proof I'd be taking it to HR and getting the police involved. I'd want them fired.

Utterly disgraceful.
Also a grown ass woman thinking of gross stuff you could store in your pockets..
or a note saying STOP GOING THROUGH MY STUFF.

This .

Can you put your own padlock on it?