i work at a convenience store where i have been for the past 9 months. when i first started, i worked 2 afternoons and 2 midnights a week. now that i am full time i work mostly afternoons. i folunteered to work a few midnights while the regular midnight guy is on vacation. all my manager told me was that the head whoever doesnt want females working midnights because they are afraid of "something bad" happening. i feel that if they are really worried about safety that they would have 2 people working on a shift. does anyone feel the same way i do. why or why not.
2007-06-29 19:19:33 · 20 answers · asked by *Jenn* 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Legally it may be discrimination, but a lot of people still think of a man as stronger & a woman an easier target. This includes the potential robbers/rapists/other freaks who may be visiting your store at those hours. No matter what the discrimination laws say, it is more likely they'll try something when you're there than when there's a man working. It's sad but I think it's just how it currently stands.
If you really want to work, well, there are other women working night shifts, I guess you could insist. Whether it's a good idea would also depend on factors like the area of town the store is in.
2007-06-30 14:50:31 · answer #1 · answered by Sheriam 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My best friend took a second job at a convenient store for a short while for the extra money. She was told when she was hired that they do not let females work the night shift alone for safety reasons. The first month she worked there the "male" that was scheduled to work with her called in sick and they could not replace him on such short notice. That night she was robbed at gunpoint. When the "robber" walked in with a gun she told him she was alone and he immediately told her "he knew". The police told her the place was probably watched nightly and that night when her co-worker didn't show up they knew it was time to make their move.
Why would you want to work night shift anyway? If it fits your schedule better then go someplace that is safer to work a night shift like a 24 hour Wal-Mart. The bad guys are obviously more intimidated by men. No amount of money is worth putting your life in danger and convenient stores are the worst!
Good luck!
2007-07-06 18:14:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Technically I guess it could be discrimination, but on the other hand, he is looking out for you. It is not a good shift to work for a female to be alone. It is also not economical (business wise) to have 2 employees on a shift that isn't busy. Talk to your boss if you REALLY want to work midnights and ask him to just give it a try. You have already stated you did work midnights before, so perhaps the head whoever may change their mind.
2007-07-07 23:23:06 · answer #3 · answered by Esjae 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you offered did the manager have a man fill in for those nights, instead of you. If yes then I would say yes they are discriminating against you. As far as the 2 people working on a shift, I could see that as well. I use to work for a convenience store too that also only had one person per shift. We had 8 hour shifts with no lunches or breaks, and we weren't allowed to even sit down, we had to stand throughout our whole shift. If they truly cared about employees, they wouldn't do that.
I worked an 8 hour shift during graveyard in a really bad side of town, and I had never gotten robbed. I never got robbed because I was nice and friendly to my customers. My customers looked out for me.
2007-06-30 03:27:57 · answer #4 · answered by Araiha 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
lets be honest, most women are going to be the first target if something bad was to happen. it is not sexual discrimination to state what is true. most women are going to be afraid to work 3rd shift alone. it would cost more to have 2 people work together than to have one man work who will be less of a target. sexual discrimination is tossed around to much today and it is getting us away from just being honest in ones best interest. just because you may not be afraid to work 3rd shift alone does not mean that it would be in the best interest of the owner of the store who also needs to make a living by doing what is best for his business as well.
2007-06-30 02:40:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would not take it as a discrimination but as a safety measure. Let's be honest. Even though we are capables and feel sure about any situation, mean people, men & women believe it or not plays "tough" when they see an opportunity, we women can't handle big fat guys or scary looking women, because they don't care!! i work with public and when I have a nasty person trying to be "smart", even though (as you say) I feel confident on dealing with him/her, ( and this is day time....!) when my male co-worker who's is 6'2", comes to my area, oh!.... this person turns "nice" all of of a sudden!!!! he-he-he...... I feel so good because I have a bodyguard who will kick his...in a second! people are like that!! works like magic! so don't feel offended, is not you, is the people out there...........
2007-07-07 13:44:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
From a business point, the cost of having two people work doubles expenses. I would say they are being protective of females, which I would appreciate, but, legally, I would think open shifts should be offered to all employees without regard to race or sex.
2007-06-30 03:56:47 · answer #7 · answered by moonmother2000 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not discrimination if you will work alone.
He has a duty of care. If, in his opinion, even if misguided, he feels that you would be at greater risk, he has to take care to ensure you are not.
Also, working alone might require some restocking. The weight limits for lifting goods are different between males and females.
Honestly, get over it, at least your boss cares.
2007-07-07 10:25:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Technically it is discrimation, but why are you arguing? Its for your own good. Women are much more of a target due to sexual predators. Also think of it from the robbers standpoint? 2 convience stores, 1 with a big man there, and 1 with you there. Which one do you think hes gonna go rob?
They're putting you out of harms way, and your mad?
2007-06-30 04:53:09 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Well, yes and no. I feel the same way you do, but your "manager" is probably going on what experiences he's already had...some "ladies" really are afraid of being alone in a C.S. at night, and maybe with good reason. Things DO happen
2007-06-30 02:26:19 · answer #10 · answered by foghnanross 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋