Workplace Parking Changes - What Are My Rights?

shazzaj98 on 26/03/2018 - 13:39

Long story short -
My current workplace is in the process of beginning to build a new store over the area that is currently being allocated to staff parking during daylight hours. At this moment in time any crew starting or finishing before sunrise/sunset are allowed to park in the customer car park due to obvious dangers of walking to a car after dark. The area that has been allocated will be shut off on the 3rd of April and the rules are changing as to nobody (except overnight staff) are allowed to park in the customer parking.
What are my rights on this topic as I believe it's breaking a duty of care as parking anywhere nearby is already stretched as is.

I mainly work late nights and overnight shifts. I do not feel comfortable walking to my car at this time let alone not being able to see it.

Education & Work Parking Rights

Comments

  • Ryanek on 26/03/2018 - 13:45
    +22

    I don't understand, is a parking spot stated in your employment contract? Otherwise why do you feel you are entitled to a car park at work?

    • Nugs on 26/03/2018 - 13:54
      +4

      millennial?

      shazzaj98

      .

  • QW3RTY on 26/03/2018 - 13:48
    +3

    Might need some clarification:

    The area that has been allocated will be shut off on the 3rd of April and the rules are changing as to nobody (except overnight staff) are allowed to park in the customer parking.

    I mainly work late nights and overnight shifts.

    If you are overnight staff, won't you still have access to the car park following the rule change on the 3rd of April?
    This would only leave you to find parking when you have a daytime shift — presumably when you feel the area is safer.

    Also, in what industry do you work? If you run 24/7, I assume that you will have security onsite? If you are unable to find a car space following this rule change, do you think you may be able to request that security personnel escort you to your car?

    As ryanek says above, unless you have access to parking onsite written into your workplace agreement, you may not have a "right to park". If you have genuine concerns regarding safety entering/leaving work, I'm sure if you raise these issues with your HR team/people manager, your concerns will be taken seriously.

    • shazzaj98 on 26/03/2018 - 13:54

      Hospitality/fast food.
      Late nights referring to 11pm/12am finishes.
      We do run 24/7 but only have security onsite on Saturday nights from 11-3:30am.

      • QW3RTY on 26/03/2018 - 13:59
        +5

        I imagine that if you asked your manager to walk you to your car, they would be happy to. Especially if you raise your concerns with them leading into this redevelopment.

        I would write a letter/email to your HR team and outline your concerns and see what they come back with. Perhaps they may provide clarification or even find you a solution that makes you feel more comfortable.

        Purely speculating, but I imagine that if corporate are spending big dollars redeveloping and expanding your restaurant, they may include better car park illumination as a part of this scope. Doesn't hurt to ask this question during your letter/email.

        • Randxyz123 on 26/03/2018 - 15:31
          +2

          Before doing that, start a convo with your manager. Maybe they share your concerns.

          I doubt you’ll have much of a case. Unless it says you have a car park included In your contract..

        • original15 on 26/03/2018 - 18:19

          @knick007:
          Definitely talk to someone before firing off an email to HR

        • acoma on 27/03/2018 - 10:26

          @knick007: Down-voted for the use of 'convo'.

        • Randxyz123 on 27/03/2018 - 10:39
          +1

          @acoma: Aren’t you a ray of sunshine…

  • onetwothreefour on 26/03/2018 - 14:20
    +1

    I feel like it is my right to have a personal chauffeur and security guard to escort me to and from work as I also don't feel safe.

    • MrBear on 27/03/2018 - 08:47

      because no sun

      • D C on 27/03/2018 - 11:40

        Security guard must supply umbrella during the day because sun. And/or rain.

  • bobbified on 26/03/2018 - 14:53
    +6

    Most places don't provide parking to staff and parking isn't an automatic benefit, so unless it's written in your contact that they will provide you with a parking spot, you don't have any rights to it.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 26/03/2018 - 15:13
    +11

    You'll never guess what we have to do in the CBD, we can't even afford parking and have to take public transport with all the other filthy commoners!

    We even have to walk with our own feet back and from the train station. It's horrible.

    • shazzaj98 on 26/03/2018 - 15:15
      +2

      I can only imagine living somewhere with public transport or working a job over normal hours that pays a reasonable wage..

      • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 26/03/2018 - 15:18

        Ah, Launceston, TAS.

        Don't they have public transport down there?

      • Sweetnsour on 27/03/2018 - 13:08

        Reasonable pay in Sydney Melbourne but when you factor in rent then we all in same boat. At least you have personal space and don't have to pay sky high rent or be squashed into boxes called apartments with 5 others.

        • shazzaj98 on 27/03/2018 - 22:34

          Or the opposite here where there's a housing shortage and impossible to get a foot in the door unless you know people..

  • o53djz7qTPY4der on 26/03/2018 - 15:16
    +5

    Is this a joke? How do you think the rest of the population gets to work/manages parking? You're not the only one who works late.

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 26/03/2018 - 15:18

    A lot of ppl are taking the mickey out of you but i actually understand where you are coming from i do believe workplaces should have a duty to provide free parking for permanent staff (assuming you dont work in the city)

    BUT

    Unfortunately it is not the law and employers to not need to provide parking for staff sadly. So my advice is to talk to your boss and explain the situation and hope they can help you out otherwise there is nothing you can do but make alternate arrangements or find a new job

    • bobbified on 26/03/2018 - 15:24

      i do believe workplaces should have a duty to provide free parking for permanent staff

      Entitled much?

      They can provide parking but it'll come out of your salary one way or another. Someone's going to have to pay for it!

      • Trying2SaveABuck on 26/03/2018 - 18:31

        Entitled sure maybe a little?

        It is better for the employer in most cases to provide a safe work place and in the case above it sounds like a bit of a safety risk -

        You want me advice as someone who deals with LOADs of Workcover put in a complaint say you got followed to your car one night and someone threatened you claim work cover you will get at least 6-24months of mental health work cover and payments im sure your employer might change its tight ass ways after that

        • djkelly69 on 26/03/2018 - 22:49
          +1

          Yes, committing fraud is definitely the answer.

        • bobbified on 26/03/2018 - 23:00

          It is better for the employer in most cases to provide a safe work place

          Most employers already do so by law - some go above that. There's a risk in doing everything, but there's a limit on what is or isn't acceptable.

          The employer's risk assessment would look at something like night parking and they've likely judged it as not being a significant risk to their staff. If it's a case of the above being a huge risk and the employer chooses to ignore it, then their insurance company wouldn't accept the risk on their books or they'd jack the premium up to a point where purchasing the cover isn't worth it - This obviously hasn't happened.

        • [Deactivated] on 27/03/2018 - 09:23

          @bobbified: You are assuming a lot here. Many business don't even know what risk management is.

        • bobbified on 27/03/2018 - 09:57

          @4sure:

          The insurance company they use definitely understands risk.

  • grog on 26/03/2018 - 15:28
    +1

    Ask your union? get some value from your union fees.

    • D C on 26/03/2018 - 16:06
      +1

      That's almost as funny as the post. LOL.

  • chumlee on 26/03/2018 - 15:37
    +2

    Just park in the boss's spot

  • Realsteel on 26/03/2018 - 17:09
    +2

    OP, your situation is no different to what a lot people go through daily. Like others have suggested, raise your concerns. Worst situation, someone can walk to you to the carpark. This is what we do in our team if there are late nights involved. Hope your manager is able to find your a satisfactory resolution.

  • whooah1979 on 26/03/2018 - 19:42

    Op, can’t you find a job at a different mcd, kfc or hj close to sth Launceston that may have better lighting?

  • furys12 on 27/03/2018 - 09:08

    24 hour restaurant in launceston can only be maccas and there is no way they will provide parking or anything in there contracts and as has been said parking is not an entitlement so your sol

  • Rifraf on 28/03/2018 - 17:40

    You have rights OP

    The right to remain silent is maybe the best one in this case

  • Powershopz on 30/03/2018 - 08:54

    Unless there is a designated employee car park you are our of luck.

    For example - There is a designated employee car park 800m away from the business that employees are expected to park in. For late night finishes/stars (8pm-6am) the business is responsible for anything that happens to staff between the car park and the worksite. They could choose to have a shuttle bus, have a security worker or other staff member escort the employees tot he car park or just pay out work cover claims on anyone bashed/robbed/raped.

    If there is no specified employee car park you're out of luck and it's at your discretion to get to work however you can.

    I would just keep parking in the customer car park until some one pulls you up on it and when that happens claim you feel unsafe.

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