I'm 27 and work until 5.30pm every day. There is no staff car park and as the town is full of parking restrictions, I have to park down backstreets that are 15 minutes' walk from the office as they are the only place with longterm parking for £1 a day. All town centre parking has either a max stay of 2 hours or is £5 a day which I can't afford. Free parking is even further away than where I usually park. Now that it is dark when I leave work, I have to walk all the way to my car alone. Most people get the train but I don't live near a station and can't afford the fare either as my salary is so low. The only other people I know who drive work different hours to me so I can't walk with them. It's not the safest of areas and I am worried about what could happen. Is there anything I can do to protect myself and should the company be doing more to help?
2006-11-23 22:41:47 · 17 answers · asked by Hotpink555 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Surely there must be somone you work with or who works nearby who parks in the same place or could use a lift. I would find someone who you could walk with - there must be one person nearby who has similar working hours. Try putting a message on the office noticeboard or asking the staff of local shops to see if anyone there has the same problem.
Who knows you may even make a new friend.
2006-11-23 22:54:54 · answer #1 · answered by monkeymanelvis 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Firstly, I'm not certain of the laws in the UK, but in Australia, workers can be compensated for injuries which occur at the workplace, as-well as travelling directly between the workplace and their home. That basically means that employers have a (limited) duty of care for their employees safe passage to and from work. As such, I would expect my employer to provide some means for me to safely access my vehicle. You should probably come to them with your concerns and see what they say.
If they won't help, here's some things to try:
1. Be aware. Keep your eyes and ears open. Take a wide arc around blind corners and try to walk where it would be difficult for someone to sneak up on or surprise you.
2. Avoid carrying valuables. If you must carry a handbag, keep it right up over your shoulder and held close against you, under your arm.
3. Make sure people know where you are. Let people know that you're leaving and maybe even arrange to send a text or make a call to someone so they know you've made it safely to your car. That way, if the worst does happen, at-least someone will know where you are and may be able to come to your aid if they don't hear from you.
4. Depending on where you are and what the local laws allow, carry some personal protection but SPEAK TO AN EXPERT about this as some weapons will get you into more trouble than they will get you out of.
Unless you're a capable fighter, tricks like poking keys between your fingers and the like are very foolish and will get you hurt. Any self defense you use must be able to incapacitate the attacker for long enough to allow you to escape. Scratching up their face will not accomplish this and the keys will damage you as much as they will damage them.
5. While they're not great, a personal alarm can be enough to get an attacker to run but if you're somewhere where it's clear that nobody will hear it, they can be a bit useless.
6. If one's available, bring a friend. Even if it's another woman. For an attacker who just wants to grap a purse and run, two girls can be daunting enough for them to not bother.
Good Luck.
2006-11-23 23:20:06 · answer #2 · answered by crunchy_mush 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you could definetly bring this up to your supervisor, but who knows how muck good that would do, but here are some pointers. try to park in well lit areas if they are available, try your best not to look out of place, this will make you an obvious target, hold your keys in between your fingers, this is called the cat claw, if it came down to it scraping your keys against someones face might get you the extra few seconds to get away. it might be a good idea to call some one before you leave work and tell them what your plans are, that way their is someone who knows where you are and it also leaves a time frame. have you thought about pepper spray? its cheap and its effective, but it is easy to use incorrectly so make sure you are comfortable with it. also, if you ever find your self in a situation where you have got to yell for help dont yell help, yell something like "MY BABY" you would be suprised how many people wouldent respond to a cry for help, dont know why, but it is a harsh reality. have you called the local police and told them your situation? they may be able to place an officer near the street during those hours. what about self defense classes? these can educate you better and give you the confidence you need to protect your self, just same pointers, be safe!
2006-11-23 23:51:20 · answer #3 · answered by Matt E 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Self defence classes may help as would a personal alarm. Try to be confident and walk in a purposeful manner. Check to see if there is a Park and Ride that you can use.
Your employers need to be made aware of this situation and really should be offering you some assistance (a free personal alarm or financial assistance with self defence training or Park and Ride fares).
2006-11-24 02:22:01 · answer #4 · answered by Bill T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you arrive to work in your car try to park under a light so when you arrive in the dark your car is lii up. When you are walking to you car and you have to walk past shop windows look in them, then you will see if anyone is following you as the windows act as a mirror. Talk to a friend on your mobile until to get to your car. These are just a few ideas, keep safe
2006-11-24 02:42:04 · answer #5 · answered by shelz042000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Im also having same problem i get off work at 11pm i always carry mace (pepper spray) on key chain also I call a friend on cell and let her know im leaving office then phone her again when I reach my car she knows if she doesnt hear from me within 10 mins to call and if no answer she would alert police of my general location I dont talk on my cell on way to car cuz i want to be aware of surroundings at all times I walk confidently and swiftly ...good luck to you every woman knows this feeling and thats a shame
2006-11-23 23:43:47 · answer #6 · answered by cuddlefcuk 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I find walking and looking confident goes a long way, if you look scared you'll be more of a target. Also, you could call a friend or flatmate and let them know you are walking to your car or what time you should be expected home so at least someone knows where you are.
I would try not to think about it so much, who wants to live in fear?
2006-11-24 01:30:12 · answer #7 · answered by emsie_81 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Seek help from your company to give you a free parking slot for security reasons. It is the concern of the company to provide safety to their employees particularly in your situation where anything that can happen to you when coming from and going to work is compensable under the Labor Law.
2006-11-23 22:48:58 · answer #8 · answered by FRAGINAL, JTM 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all, rule number one, NEVER be complacent.
When you go out always act like a sh!!t-house rat, eyes all over.
Two, always carry a Stanley knife, and no i never carry one before you fall off your chair.
The reason i say carry such a vicious tool is simply because you are a women, and i know if you pulled it out in an attack they would run a mile. And if they didn't, they would bleed to death.
Good luck!!
2006-11-23 23:38:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I recommend that you form a lift club with your colleages. If that's not possible you can have people taking train walk with you to your car and then reward them by driving them to the train station (probably the easiest).
Otherwise visit (for more input) : http://uchicagolaw.typepad.com/faculty/2005/11/womens_bodies_v.html
2006-11-23 23:02:31 · answer #10 · answered by Simphiwe M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋