As safe as houses : Retail Hell

You know what it’s like hellcats, you get to work only to find the ceiling’s caving in and the fire escape is being used as a stockroom. So if you’re tired of getting an electric shock every time you use the till or you’ve just come back from the hospital after getting third degree burns from the tap in w.c only to find your manager has done nothing about it you might want to read on…

Now remember people all staff have a right to work in places where risks to their safety are properly controlled and that while nearly all contracts state your responsibilities when it comes to health and safety in the workplace, ultimately it is your employers responsibility to control and minimise those risks. So if you’ve already gone through your line manager about your concerns (and further up the management chain if necessary) to no avail you might want to check out these links to try and sort out whatever problems you’re having…

The U.K Health & Safety Executive (the law of the land kiddies!)

Have a read through the pages to clarify your rights & responsibilities and those of your employer. They also have a handy info line where you can talk to advisors anonymously about your concerns on:

0845 345 0055

You might also want to check out your “Whistleblowing” rights under U.K law,

or you can contact the nice people at Public Concern to help you out!

Or you could always do like a little devil I know once did…

Walk out and call your local councils health & safety dept (available from directory enquiries) and ask for the the health & safety dept dealing with the commercial sector. Explain your concerns with them and if they think it’s necessary they can arrange a lovely surprise visit for your manager from the local health & safety inspector who has a whole host of super powers to deal with issues, not least being able to arrange a visit from the local fire brigade if necessary (who have the power to immediately close the premises if violations are found endangering staff and/or customers!) Just the sight of a Health & Safety inspector is enough to put the wind up any manager and it usually rectifies any lingering problems.

(It might even save you having to SUE your employer in the long run.)

Remember hellcats you have rights (even if you are on minimum wage) so don’t be frightend to use them. It could save you, your workmates, those customers (they might suck but they still have the right to shop in safety) and even your bloody minded mangers from a trip to casualty in the long run so play safe…

OR MAYBE I’LL SEE YOU IN HELL SOONER THEY YOU THINK!

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