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.

This is awful. I'd be taking the bare minimum in, and redoubling my job search efforts.

I'd take a rucksack and put my coat in there then lock the zip shut with a travel padlock. If ask why say someone has been going through your things and you are concerned about security.

Is it your manager that you think is going through your stuff or a coworker with a grudge?

Except that OP's stuff ends up covered in glitter. Putting a pouch of it at the bottom guarantees it getting ripped and her having glitter trailing her forever more. Its more likely to be a nightmare for her than anyone else.

This happened to my husband. There as CCTV, and key swipe data, of the actual thief taking the item out of the locked cupboard but it was very stressful getting them to acknowledge DH had nothing to do with it.

This sounds like one of the few occasions where a pocketful of glitter would be appropriate. Or turmeric.

Get a couple of lockable pouches or similar, and keep everything that you need in your bag in them.

Nothing can be stolen, especially if you padlock the straps to your bag. If anybody questions it, the obvious response is "You have no legal right to go ferreting in my bag without my permission."

Same! I'd either bring in no bag, or one so tiny no-one could put anything in it, or, preferably, a bag that you can put a padlock on, so they have to ask you when they want to search it.

That's outrageous!

I think I'd be more concerned about items being planted in this situation than anything else

I would get some kind of lock for your bag and let your manager and/or HR know that it seems as if your bag has been tampered with so you’re taking extra precautions. But will obviously unlock when required to for bag searches.

good luck with the job search though, sounds like a horrible environment.

I think it’s the main manager instructing whichever member of staff is able to do so. I love the glitter idea but think that could backfire.

They are currently hiring even though we are at staffing capacity bar sickness so I think it’s only a matter of time.

I think I will padlock tomorrow and let them know, then carry the keys with me visible on cctv if they try and refute anything. They will likely ask if I’ve had anything stolen from me. Still puts me at risk but thankfully there are a few more seasonal jobs available at the moment. I claim a UC top up so can’t get fired/walk out.

I spent a great deal of time trying to get a clearing uni place in the last couple months (however got a deferred offer for next year) and recently recovering from a medical procedure plus lots of sickness (whilst not taking a single day off) however will make it my mission to apply for anything and everything to get out in my spare time now.

Just to note, I always have my bag searched upon leaving. I’ve also never been fired before and am scared about future employment being messed up because of this.