Pepper Spray = Grounds for Termination

[Rekonn]

I work for a company in the city of Boston. A couple weeks ago HR sends an email forwarded by our building manager warning about a recent spike in assaults and robberies, asking people to be vigilant. Responding to this, I asked HR if it would be ok have pepper spray on me. Got answer today, of course not. Company policy prohibits possession of firearms or other weapons while on the premises. HR clarified to me that "or other weapons" includes pepper spray.

*** Tenants,

Our security company has placed *** on a heightened state of alert as a result of a number of assaults and robberies which have taken place over the past week in Downtown Crossing. There has been a recent rash of incidents in the City of Boston involving groups of young people approaching and assaulting individuals indiscriminately. There were several incidents last Wednesday and several more last Friday in the vicinity of Boston Common, Downtown Crossing and the Financial District. These groups have ranged in number from 7 to approximately 20 young people and ages range from 15 to 27 years old. In some cases, the assaults have been accompanied by thefts of money, cell phones, iPads and other items. In response, the Boston Police have made several arrests and are increasing their own patrols to monitor for groups of young people congregating in the affected areas.

We wanted to make tenants aware of the situation and ask that you remain vigilant especially when leaving the building at night. If you notice any suspicious or unusual activity, immediately notify BPD and building security at ***.

 

[rjh200]

Why ask?

 

[ToddDubya]

By "remain vigilant" they mean "pee a little before leaving the building".

If you want to make a stink, call security every time you leave the building and ask for an escort.

 

[Mike-Mike]

I work for a company in the city of Boston. A couple weeks ago HR sends an email forwarded by our building manager warning about a recent spike in assaults and robberies, asking people to be vigilant. Responding to this, I asked HR if it would be ok have pepper spray on me. Got answer today, of course not. Company policy prohibits possession of firearms or other weapons while on the premises. HR clarified to me that "or other weapons" includes pepper spray.

Then wright back. "If I am not allowed to protect myself, are you taking the responsibility to protect me?" Also, ask the security guard to walk you to your car every night and call him from your car every morning.

 

[Cassadilla]

the boss at my old job "never knew" that i carried, and our shared view on it was this: if you get fired for defending your own life, you can always get another job.

 

[mattyw]

mike-mike, make sure they know they are responsibility for your safety, and that it's not cheap

also make them define other weapon and illustrate how pepper spray is a weapon
I suppose you can't throw sand in the eyes of an attacker either

 

[whatluck]

I would point out that by denying you the right to defend yourself they've made themselves liable in the event that you're injured by an intruder, in writing. I'd also find another place to work. My company has a policy that I MUST carry every day, but these are the perks of being the president.

 

[Rekonn]

Why ask?

I was genuinely curious, especially in response to this real threat. I knew firearms wouldn't be allowed, but I wanted to know about spray.

 

[warpig]

they need to remove all scissors and letter openers from everyone's desks. Should also remove the coffee machines since hot coffee in the eyes would be just as bad as pepper spray.

 

[irishfan]

My company has the same policy, and I work right near you. But, theres about a 0% chance that I will be the victim of hood-rattery.

 

[Rekonn]

they need to remove all scissors and letter openers from everyone's desks. Should also remove the coffee machines since hot coffee in the eyes would be just as bad as pepper spray.

No kidding, there's multiple 10" long knives in the kitchen that everyone has access to, somehow that's fine.

 

[TZCHRIS]

the boss at my old job "never knew" that i carried, and our shared view on it was this: if you get fired for defending your own life, you can always get another job.

This is spot on!

 

[shapiroeric]

By "remain vigilant" they mean

They mean be a good witness.....

 

[Shovelheddrew]

Eat a big meal before leaving the building so you can vomit on yourself and make it a less attractive target.

 

[goodzilla]

No kidding, there's multiple 10" long knives in the kitchen that everyone has access to, somehow that's fine.

There ya go, ask them if you can borrow one of the company's kitchen knives at the end of each day. Say "don't worry, I'll return it clean in the morning for office use". Zero logic.

Then again maybe not, you'll be forced to use plastic knives from then on.

 

[Cassadilla]

I suppose you can't throw sand in the eyes of an attacker either

 

[rjh200]

I was genuinely curious, especially in response to this real threat. I knew firearms wouldn't be allowed, but I wanted to know about spray.

I understand that, but almost every corporation has that clause in their employee handbooks. It is standard legal BS. How many people still carry pocket knives, pepper spray, etc and it never comes up as an issue. By asking you are drawing attention to it IMHO. I subscribe to the don't ask, don't tell policy.

 

[throttle-junkie]

Your first duty is to go home to your family at the end of the day. If you go home to your family and still have a job even better.

 

[jtnf]

I would point out that by denying you the right to defend yourself they've made themselves liable in the event that you're injured by an intruder, in writing. I'd also find another place to work. My company has a policy that I MUST carry every day, but these are the perks of being the president.

Need a senior Network Administrator, manager or director of IT?

 

[Rekonn]

I understand that, but almost every corporation has that clause in their employee handbooks. It is standard legal BS. How many people still carry pocket knives, pepper spray, etc and it never comes up as an issue. By asking you are drawing attention to it IMHO. I subscribe to the don't ask, don't tell policy.

I doubt anyone is going to search me, but yeah, I have now drawn attention to myself.

 

[Rekonn]

I would point out that by denying you the right to defend yourself they've made themselves liable in the event that you're injured by an intruder, in writing.

Has anyone actually done this? Or knows of anyone that did? I'm curious how it turned out.

 

[StevieP]

DADT

 

[not new guy]

Is HR the last word at your company on interpretation of the company's written policies?

 

[bfm]

Company policy prohibits possession of firearms or other weapons while on the premises. HR clarified to me that "or other weapons" includes pepper spray.

Do they also ban paper weights, letter openers, chairs, footwear?

http://criminal.attorneywdkickham.com/lawyer-attorney-1925860.html

 

[jefftk]

Have they shown you the DHS Run.Hide.Fight video yet - where they tell you to improvise a weapon if you need to fight?

Because having a weapon which you can effectively use to defend yourself is bad. But improvising some that is probably marginally effective is good.

 

[Evadd]

Why ask?

Was thinking the same thing.

 

[bdb]

Has anyone actually done this? Or knows of anyone that did? I'm curious how it turned out.

They politely tell you sorry but that is just the way the policy is. Then they put you on the "next round of layoffs" list. That's life working in many corporations. The way I look at is, if I don't like it I can leave. No sense in me complaining about it, it won't change anything other limiting my own upward opportunities.

 

[bbarer]

Unfortunately we live in a world where corporate liability trumps personal safety (boy does that sound like an oxymoron). Bottom line its really every man for himself and the guy above who said he lives by "don't ask don't tell" is spot on. I mean really who thinks that by asking about or challenging a company rule such as this will actually prevail. Mods should immediately lock every time a thread like this starts and just repeat that line.

Lets face facts it is never in this day and age prudent to make public that your armed in any way, how many times does it have to be said in here "Concealed means concealed" challenging rules means look for another place to work, learn the lesson and act like a sheep...a sheep with a secret that is....

 

[In God We Trust]

I think it's funny. All this pants shitting over a can full of hot sauce. Just carry it discretely and STFU about it.

 

[miken2006]

I would point out that by denying you the right to defend yourself they've made themselves liable in the event that you're injured by an intruder, in writing.

^this! Unfortunately u will have to wait to get injured or killed before u take action.

This seems to be the norm for most large corporations to not allow "weapons" on premise. Tho i havent heard of an employee whos become victim of an assault file any lawsuit. (I worked for a large corp for 10 years).



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