Is locking employees in legal?

[gremcint]

We have a new manager and up until tonight I was liking her but tonight was the first time I closed with her I think.

She locked us in, there is a back door I could leave through but I didn't want to cause a problem tonight and it was only for a few minutes. However I was done and ready to go but she made us all wait for almost 10 minutes. My ride is waiting outside and sees me standing there waiting for my manager to let me out.

My ride was not happy.

I really don't want to cause a problem and it was only a few minutes but I'm not putting up with this. I'll more of a leg to stand on if there is some sort of rule against it. I'll have to go through the work paperwork and see what it says there. all the other managers store manager included just does the bag check and let's us go unless we're the last and he's setting the alarm.

Also before you answer the title question Canada Ontario.

[Gravekeeper]

I think to satsify the most basic letter of the law they only need be an escape route for emergencies ( aka the back door you speak of ). Still, its bad form for a company and I know Walmart has gotten into a lot of PR shit for doing this sort of thing. I'm not sure what the legal specifics are in Ontario though. You might want to contact the labour board there and see if there's anything specific about it. Failing that, maybe check and see what the company policies say on the matter.

[Cats]

I doubt there'd be anything illegal about just a few minutes like that, if there is anything against it at all.

From a mangament perspective though, when I was a closing manager (I work at 24 hour stores so it's moot in the stores I work in now), it was my responsibility to make sure everyone left the property safely. I could technically let all but one person go, but since we were never really late, I had them all stay so we could make sure we didn't accidently lock someone in after we'd all left. My company policy is that there must be 2 people in the building at all times...and this includes opening and closing the store.

I would think most places have policy similar. It's also always a good idea, especially if you're in a place that actually closes and you're working that shift, to NEVER assume you're going to be in your car immediately following your shift end. Always expect there to be a few minutes delay.

I understand the priniple of getting out on time. Trust me, I'm always to work nearly 10 minutes early, and do not often punch out on time (and I still have to get my stuff after that before I'm officially "gone"), so I know it can be frustrating. But if the intent was to make sure everyone left safely, I don't see why it should be an issue. It's it's going to be a habit that you're going to have to wait more than say, 3-4 minutes, I would consider asking to be paid for that time you are left waiting (assuming you aren't already).

[siead_lietrathua]

they do this where i work too, but its a "safety for us" thing. people open the store in a group and leave the store in a group, expecially when its dark. it may be a small town but we have some.. unpleasent.. people in it.

[AdminAssistant]

That was the policy when I worked retail. Of course, everyone worked right up until the manager was ready to close. While they were putting away register bags and doing paperwork, everyone else would straighten up, put away, clean, etc. Everyone clocked out at the same time and everyone walked out at the same time.

[HYHYBT]

Same here. Openers met at a gas station and went to the store together, and closers stayed in the building until everything was done and all were ready to leave. It was paid time, though.

(Approximately paid time, as the system we had then required punches to be balanced before it would close for the day. Manager puts in when people are likely to be done; sometimes it's a little earlier or later, but more often earlier, and if it's ever a lot later then the time is added the next day.)

[Andara Bledin]

Call your local labor department.

First, I hope you were paid for that time you weren't allowed to leave; if you weren't, then it was possibly kidnapping.

If you were paid for that time, then it was just a stupid job you had to do.

^-.-^

[gremcint]

I was punched out at the time. I punched out at 9:12, had my stuff from my locker etc and was at the door like 9:16, I almost went and punched back in but I didn't want to make a big deal out of it one time.

[Evandril]

If you had an exit you could have used, I'm almost certain it'd be legal...and unless you were specifically told not to leave, I'd have used the back exit at that point Of course, pulling things like that is one of many reasons management tends to dislike me, and act accordingly, but still