Late Callers Office Duty

[Mezza]

Our callers is to get a full refurb soon to bring it all up to date.

The existing callers has the glass screen all the way across with a sliding parcel window.
The new style just has a counter with no partition, so if a customer wanted, they could just jump over the top.

Our callers is open till 8pm on a Wednesday, and from about 3pm the only person in the entire office is whoever is working in the callers, so would the new style counter not pose a security risk?

What happens in other offices that have the newer style of counter?

Curious to know with the likely hood of increasing opening hours in the future.

[maisymoo04]

Do nothing if someone threatens you jump over and batter them

[Gold Fox]

Open space Enquiry Office is NOT safe .... Our staff have been threatened even with glass window ...between 6pm - 8pm, one person in Callers Office .... I don't think is legal ... ( I am not sure ) .. must be two personnel on duty.

[General Mannerheim]

There is no specific law against anybody working alone.
There is however a need for the employer to properly risk assess and put measures in place.
If a risk assessment shows that it is not possible for the work to be done safely by a lone worker,then other arrangements must be put in place.
That is why you have H&S reps and reps.

[clashcityrocker]

How is someone working alone in the callers office any more dangerous than a postman walking around alone?

I assume a refurbished office will have cameras and a panic button?
The high value items will not be accessible.

[Mezza]

That is why you have H&S reps and reps.

What H&S rep?
Not had one in our office for years.
Union rep - not interested in anything other than getting his duty done and squeezing in his OT (within his allotted duty time of course).

How is someone working alone in the callers office any more dangerous than a postman walking around alone?

I assume a refurbished office will have cameras and a panic button?
The high value items will not be accessible.

Working alone in the callers at night when there's nobody else about is a lot different to being a postie. A postie can run away, shout to attract attention etc.

We don't have cameras at present but i would hope they will be installed as part of the refurb.
However, they will only record the incidents and won't stop them (although i accept they may act as a deterrent to some). The existing cameras we have all through the office don't record anything anyway, they are simply a deterrent against theft and there are none in the callers anywhere.

Having been verbally abused on many occassions and threatened with physical violence the screen was at least a means of safeguarding staff.
I also accept that the abuser may feel that as your hiding behind a screen it gives them the chance to have a pop.

We have a panic button, but if someone jumps over the counter when do you get the time to press it?
behind the screen you had time to decide it was necessary and then to press it, all out of sight. I doubt you would go searching for the magical hidden button when someone jumps the counter and goes to attack you.

Would be nice to hear the views from someone who actually works in a new style counter.

[dvbuk55]

I doubt you would go searching for the magical hidden button.

Oh I don't know

[General Mannerheim]

I doubt you would go searching for the magical hidden button.

Oh I don't know

Trust you!
Has the naughty room got a `panic button` and if not,why not!

[dvbuk55]

I doubt you would go searching for the magical hidden button.

Oh I don't know

Trust you!
Has the naughty room got a `panic button` and if not,why not!

Hah! You can't put retirees in the naughty room mein General, it would be classed as abuse

[enzio]

sad to say I have jumped over the counter at a customer in my younger days