New job, stupid rules, can't bring a knife to a restaraunt

[neededausername]

I recently started a new job as a restaurant manager for a major chain(most of you have probably eaten there it's one of the biggest). I was reading over the policies and got to the weapons policies. It says no guns at work or on the premises. Okay I was kind of expecting that, then it says no knives. I was confused and asked the General Manager who would be training me if that meant that I couldn't bring my pocketknife to work. I explained to him that I carry it everywhere and at my previous job in the same field it was very helpful for opening boxes, etc. He told me that it would be best if I didn't. It's just a small Kershaw, no more than 3". It just seems really stupid to me that I can't carry what I consider a tool to work, but when I'm at work I have all kinds of butcher knives, cleavers, etc around me.

Oh and you should have seen the in case of a robbery video....

FYI, My wife and I want to open our own restaurants and I'm working there for the experience, they are some of the best and so is the training. When we own a place we will welcome employees and guests who want to be able to defend themselves.

 

[azhunter122]

That is stuid, what restaraunt is it?

 

[Duke Junior]

FYI, My wife and I want to open our own restaurants and I'm working there for the experience, they are some of the best and so is the training. When we own a place we will welcome employees and guests who want to be able to defend themselves.

You sound very level headed.I'll be glad to be your first customer when you open your own restaurant.
Notify me in advance, please!
<<<<<<<<<<<<--------------------

 

[azhunter122]

In my state the law say no guns in restaraunts that serve alchahol, nothing about knives though.

 

[jws527]

Not surprising. Large companies (e.g. chains) aren't much different from government in many respects - that policy is an obvious example of security theater. The thought that employees cannot bring "weapons" of their own into the workplace is probably comforting to other employees - or, at least, to the committee that devised that policy. Never mind the fact that the entire restaurant is stocked with potential weapons by default...

 

[neededausername]

Sorry I won't say what restaurant, it's a major casual dining place, but at least they don't have a problem with guests carrying.

I'll make sure to hold a big benefit for the NRA after we get open and I'll invite everyone here, and on other forums I visit.

The law here as far as I know, don't have my CCW yet, is no carrying if you are a customer at a place that serves alcohol. But yeah nothing about knives.

 

[ugaarguy]

Perhaps you could get one of the Sheffield or similar box cutter blade pocket knives and leave it somewhere semi-secure at work. Leave it there as a box cutter so you don't have to use the kitchen cutlery for such tasks. If you happen to be in a rush performing your management duties you might clip it in your pocket and forget to put it up in its secure place until the end of your shift.

 

[Neo-Luddite]

Really, I wouldn't ask or tell regarding a little pocket knife. Not as fast but just as useful--get a little leatherman (or similar) multi-tool; refer to it as your 'pocket pliars'.

Or; you work for a large company that has suppliers of ALL KINDS of gear and equipment. SOMEWHERE if you REALLY, REALLY look---a utility knife or similar provided by a bona-fide supplier. It may be red, and have a temporary switch type razor on it---but you can order them by the case and carry one all day. You can produce a PO for it. You can carry it around in your pocket.

If you ask the next level (or two) up the chain for CLARIFICATION ON ALMOST ANYTHING that is listed in the handbook--you'll get them erring on the 'side of caution'--always. Don't ask-do.

And the funny thing redux; your company probably (like most) gives away little tricket gifts to employees for years of service milestones (1, 2, 5 years, etc.)--look at the catalog (oh, I BET there IS ONE) that employees may pick from. Find the nifty Swiss Army Knife with the company logo. Get one.

Failing that--have one made up WITH the logo on it. Tell no one you did it on your own, but make it a pretty knife of high quality. Then flip the thing about until hearts content. If anyone asks, tell them so-and-so (name former HR recruiter person) gave it to you.

What's that--Y-O-U are not AUTHORIZED to have knives made up WITH the company logo on them? Now, did anyone tell you that you COULDN'T???

Sales fixes everything; hit that number each month/quarter/year and you could have a pet goat in your office and NO ONE would care.

 

[bobbarker]

A lot of places consider a knife under 3 inches to be a tool anyways...might look into that and bring it up.

 

[TAB]

Here is a idea... you don't like thier policys, don't work there.

 

[CRITGIT]

The truth is you have no recourse or rights as it pertains to this or any other "reasonably/lawful" policy. Employers over the past 25 years have incredible latitude as it pertains from everything to dress code to management rights clauses and instant discharge.
Without some protections as provided by collective bargaining agreements you're, as we say, ................."screwed!"
Sadly workers rights in this great land have all but vanished since the "80's"
The good news is there's much rumbling about changing this condition.

I'd suggest unless and until it changes....you've gotten your answer.

CRITGIT

 

[vtoddball]

Here is a idea... you don't like thier policys, don't work there.

Can we get through a single thread without someone posting this obvious, useless and completely unhelpful suggestion?

The OP was simply stating he didn't like the policy, not that it was affecting his life so drastically that it had to go or he had to go.

For a forum that so often touches on reasonable and rationed responses to threats/situations, I see this inflammatory overreaction far to often.

 

[MIL-DOT]

Sometimes it's best to just ignore stupid people or stupid policies.I'd keep the knife under wraps while you're training, then when you're performing your managerial duties as head honcho, carry and use your knife discreetly.
In summary........screw 'em.

 

[Siaharok]

For a forum that so often touches on reasonable and rationed responses to threats/situations, I see this inflammatory overreaction far to often.

If you don't like it, then go somewhere else.

And yes, that was a joke.

 

[bdickens]

Sometimes it is easier to ask fo forgiveness than for permission.

 

[Eric F]

no Mr. Manager this isnt a ball bat its a meat tenderizer!

IMO a ball bat is better than a 3" knife for a lot of things besides you can make it look like your trying to encourage sports...........oh what kind of resturant does not have a knife in the kitchen? I must assume its a fast food chain like Kentuckey McFried Tacos and pizza

 

[lee n. field]

Oh and you should have seen the in case of a robbery video....

Everybody runs in circles screaming?

 

[Gator]

Sometimes it is easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.

Yep. I wouldn't have said anything, then if anyone ever asked about my knife I'd have said..."What? This is a weapon? I had no idea!

 

[JesseL]

If this place is any more upscale than McDonald's, they've probably got a whole bunch of bigger knives in the kitchen plus several on each table for the customers to use.

 

[tunnug]

weapons at work

Kinda reminds me of a cabinet shop I used to work at.
We had a dingbat manager that decided pocketknives were too dangerous to have so she banned them at one of our safety meetings, this in a place full of chizels, saws, hammers,etc., one of the workers says out loud, your'e right, a hammer upside the head works a lot better than having to stab someone a bunch of times, she didn't know what to say.

 

[Kentak]

When I worked at Home Depot, there was a strict prohibition on bringing a knife. Instead, you were issued an approved box cutter. But, this had nothing to do with weapons. It was a safety and liability issue to cut (pun) down on the possibility of self-inflicted cuts from the use of personal knives. The issued box cutter had blades with blunted tips and a spring loaded mechanism that prevented the blade from being locked in the open position.

K

 

[Smithiac]

Here's the thing:

It's their building their business. It is their right to run it anyway they like.

Note: I am not defending their policies I for one think it is ridiculous tothink that an eatery would not allow a pocket knife. When you need to open a box use a butcher knife. Make a sheath for it and carry it with you. How could they say anything about that (use one of their knives).

Bottom line is if you had a business and required concealed carry and someone you hired would not do it you would fire them wouldn't you. My advise is to mind their policy or don't work their.

Smithiac

 

[Sistema1927]

You don't have access to the kitchen knives?

The weapon is located between your ears. If not knives, then fire extinguishers, if not fire extinguishers, then...

 

[Carlos Cabeza]

I have carried the same knife for many years and use it as a tool for many different tasks. A three inch blade isn't going to provide much in the way of protection or defense of an attacker so it is probably best to use the tools provided by the employer. I'd say just keep it concealed and never use it at work but that might be hard as it is a "habit" thing. You should have asked if "You had to leave your gun at home too!":0

 

[akodo]

When I worked at Home Depot, there was a strict prohibition on bringing a knife. Instead, you were issued an approved box cutter. But, this had nothing to do with weapons. It was a safety and liability issue to cut (pun) down on the possibility of self-inflicted cuts from the use of personal knives. The issued box cutter had blades with blunted tips and a spring loaded mechanism that prevented the blade from being locked in the open position.

I am in a place with similar rules regarding the use of safety knives...and it isn't just about not cutting yourself. box cutters, the simple kind that house a razor blade, or more complicated safety knives, all use a very small segment of the blade. This makes it much less likely that the merchandise below the cut will not be harmed.

My sister got a new peice of furniture and it has a long cut right across the top. I instantly knew it was a case of someone using a pocketknife rather than a boxcutter.