Unbelieveable

[Willow]

I started a new job at the beginning of June. Passed on the company car on the basis that my car is good enough to use when out and about and when in the office I would cycle. Purchased a lovely new 29r as my hybrid wasn't up to the off road bits of the journey and have enjoyed getting back on the bike. Today I was approached by someone in the office asking if I was .................. and did I use the shower room and a hair dryer this morning. Answer yes, plugged the hairdryer into a socket in the corridor (new dryer purchased specifically for this purpose) I was told in no uncertain terms that I was not allowed to plug any electrical items into the company sockets (major blue chip company) to which I said is it not just a simple case of PAT testing it. Nope company policy if I am allowed to do it everyone will be plugging things in blah blah blah. I was total pd off for the rest of the day not just about that but also about the fact someone clearly told tales and whoever it was wouldn't have known me so they had either traced me from the electronic id cards or CCTV both of which felt like an infringement . If I didn't have a 6 month probation to pass I would have said something very rude!

 

[Mattonsea]

 

[Maz]

If that's the rule, that's the rule, I suppose. Not worth kicking up a fuss about it, especially if you're serving your probation period.

And presumably, you have a shower cubicle at work, and you don't have to bring one with you!

 

[fossyant]

There are some nobbers in every company.

 

[biggs682]

elf & safety gov

 

[PK99]

I started a new job at the beginning of June. Passed on the company car on the basis that my car is good enough to use when out and about and when in the office I would cycle. Purchased a lovely new 29r as my hybrid wasn't up to the off road bits of the journey and have enjoyed getting back on the bike. Today I was approached by someone in the office asking if I was .................. and did I use the shower room and a hair dryer this morning. Answer yes, plugged the hairdryer into a socket in the corridor (new dryer purchased specifically for this purpose) I was told in no uncertain terms that I was not allowed to plug any electrical items into the company sockets (major blue chip company) to which I said is it not just a simple case of PAT testing it. Nope company policy if I am allowed to do it everyone will be plugging things in blah blah blah. I was total pd off for the rest of the day not just about that but also about the fact someone clearly told tales and whoever it was wouldn't have known me so they had either traced me from the electronic id cards or CCTV both of which felt like an infringement . If I didn't have a 6 month probation to pass I would have said something very rude!

seems like a perfectly reasonable Health & Safety rule to me.
You are damaged by someones faulty electrical item or trip over someones flex trailing across the office - you will sue the company and the company will be liable.

 

[Hill Wimp]

Somebody, not the OP, hasn't got enough to do at work obviously.

 

[Peteaud]

You have a shower room.

Think yourself lucky.

I have no shower room, a "locker" that is just a bit larger than a shoe box and i am not allowed to plug anything in either. The only sockets i know of are in the "canteen"

You will be telling me you have somewhere to keep your bike next....

 

[Davidc]

When the probation period's up you could ask for a company hair dryer to be installed somewhere suitable.

 

[Archie_tect]

Not H+S but more to do with the electrical load that heaters put onto company ring mains... worked on a new building which had what looked like adequate electric capacity for an office block... until the people in the open plan area started bringing in heaters in winter and fans in summer, toasters and microwaves for lunch breaks. the wiring overheated and blew the trips in the building... Result? All personal electrical stuff which heated up was banned... allow one and they all do it, so it's not unusual at all. Mind you, they should have explained then you would have understood so poor management. Lobby for one hairdryer to be provided in the shower changing room, or do without.

 

[fossyant]

I can send you some baby wipes. That's the best I get, and changing in a loo cubicle.

PS ask for a hair dryer to be fitted in the shower room.

 

[Arch]

Leave earlier, cycle slower, don't need a shower!

Or get a shower cap, and shower without getting hair wet. Hairdryers are just a waste of energy anyway.

 

[Willow]

ooh you need a shower the route I go, fortunate enough to have 4 miles off road through some very soggy woods one shower of rain over night and splattered with mud the next day. I would question whether I could actually get any slower some days so not sure that would work and anyway there is on occasions a need to compete with oneself! I get what everyone says and yes I have worked in places where I have had to bath in the loo sink or as near as damn it. My main issue to be honest is the way it was said it was like I was going to be arrested for something in front of the whole office, reading out of her piece of paper ' are you .... I have to advise you that (read you have been so terribly naughty that your card is marked and don't dare step out of line again' jeeps I'm on the downhill run in age terms and felt like a major criminal that had been electronically tagged, there surely was no need for that. Perhaps I shall find myself a nice hat to wear in the office or go for a simple hairstyle :troll:

 

[Hill Wimp]

I have to say it does make me laugh when firms have offices like this, mines no different, and they provide good facilities such as undercover parking for your bike, nice shower/changing rooms etc yet they forget the simple and most obvious things such as women need hairdryers, we need a kettle or a hot water thing on the wall, we need a microwave for all those long hours you are stuck working there and we need a fridge.
Its not rocket science.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Hair washing strike!