Threatened at work, scared to go back

[stephyjh]

I had an irate customer refuse to leave the store today. I told him that if he didn't leave, I was going to call the police. He asked, "Will they get here in time before I kill you?" Eight minutes after the 911 call ended, an officer finally showed up. Even though I told them the guy had a gun, they'd coded it as non-emergency. He took his sweet time arguing with me about whether they could do anything, then sat in his car for a solid 5 minutes while I watched the guy pull away from the neighboring store where he'd gone after leaving mine. I called the supervisor later to complain. I asked if there was anything I could do to make myself safer, because I was afraid that if something like this happened again, I'd be dead before they got there. The supervisor's response? "Well, that's possible." So I'm scared to go back. My manager doesn't take it seriously enough to change the schedule so that I'm not there by myself for the entire morning every day that I work. I don't know what to do.

[MadZealot]

I had an irate customer refuse to leave the store today. I told him that if he didn't leave, I was going to call the police. He asked, "Will they get here in time before I kill you?" Eight minutes after the 911 call ended, an officer finally showed up. Even though I told them the guy had a gun, they'd coded it as non-emergency. He took his sweet time arguing with me about whether they could do anything, then sat in his car for a solid 5 minutes while I watched the guy pull away from the neighboring store where he'd gone after leaving mine. I called the supervisor later to complain. I asked if there was anything I could do to make myself safer, because I was afraid that if something like this happened again, I'd be dead before they got there. The supervisor's response? "Well, that's possible." So I'm scared to go back. My manager doesn't take it seriously enough to change the schedule so that I'm not there by myself for the entire morning every day that I work. I don't know what to do.

 
Wow.  Sorry that happened to you.  That's awful.  Well you did the right thing by going to your boss first.  Chain of command, chain of command.  Since that was pretty ineffectual, the next step is going over the boss's head.  One employee alone in the workplace is hardly optimal, and it's in an employer's best interest to look after an employee's safety and overall mental health; and if you don't feel safe (use that phrase directly) they need to address that.  Who's next in the chain of command?  District manager?  That's the next person you get a hold of.  And then that person's supervisor if necessary.  Unfortunately your immediate boss might be immature as well as incompetent and might try to find ways to retaliate.  So get a hold of HR early to start a paper trail.  Document everything on your own as well.  Also, get a copy of the police report.

[Dark Midnight]

Wow.  Sorry that happened to you.  That's awful.  Well you did the right thing by going to your boss first.  Chain of command, chain of command.  Since that was pretty ineffectual, the next step is going over the boss's head.  One employee alone in the workplace is hardly optimal, and it's in an employer's best interest to look after an employee's safety and overall mental health; and if you don't feel safe (use that phrase directly) they need to address that.  Who's next in the chain of command?  District manager?  That's the next person you get a hold of.  And then that person's supervisor if necessary.  Unfortunately your immediate boss might be immature as well as incompetent and might try to find ways to retaliate.  So get a hold of HR early to start a paper trail.  Document everything on your own as well.  Also, get a copy of the police report.

I am so, so sorry, Stephy.
 
I agree completely. Keep going further over your boss's head until you get taken seriously. Keep notes of EVERYTHING- what your boss said, the police report, even what the guy that threatened you said.

I don't think that anyone should be alone in a store, working. It's just too dangerous these days. The worst I had when I was in retail was a kid wave a knife in my face (admittedly, I was truly stupid and threw him out of the store and went to the police then with the store's security video- my hubby went BERSERK at me, as he well should, it was a stupid thing to do) but I have never had a death threat. I don't care who you are or where you work, those things should be taken seriously!

If there is anything I can do, just let me know- even if it's just someone to rant about inept bosses at, ok?

[Aspiria]

Wow.  Sorry that happened to you.  That's awful.  Well you did the right thing by going to your boss first.  Chain of command, chain of command.  Since that was pretty ineffectual, the next step is going over the boss's head.  One employee alone in the workplace is hardly optimal, and it's in an employer's best interest to look after an employee's safety and overall mental health; and if you don't feel safe (use that phrase directly) they need to address that.  Who's next in the chain of command?  District manager?  That's the next person you get a hold of.  And then that person's supervisor if necessary.  Unfortunately your immediate boss might be immature as well as incompetent and might try to find ways to retaliate.  So get a hold of HR early to start a paper trail.  Document everything on your own as well.  Also, get a copy of the police report.

Also what the hell kind of cops don't respond quicker to this type of call? In my town 15 cops would have been there in less than 3 minutes. Seriously. That's ridiculous. You need to complain to the sheriff department about that. Go as high as you have to. That is unacceptable.

[MadZealot]

Also what the hell kind of cops don't respond quicker to this type of call?

Shitty cops.  The ones that give LE a bad name.  
Yeah, complaints to the PD might help, but if there's a problem of institutional arrogance that won't do much.  I'd consider also going to the city or county-- whoever contracts with LE-- and filing a grievance there.  Hell, crash a council meeting.  
Also, there's local media.  LE hates bad PR.

[Nekomata]

Shitty cops.  The ones that give LE a bad name.
Also, there's local media.  LE hates bad PR.

Oh hun, I am so sorry you had to deal with that! Like the others have said- yay for chain of command- your boss is being an ass- move up the chain, call the GM, the district manager, whoever it takes- but defiantly file a complaint with HR ASAP, managers can get bitchy and retaliatory so have the files to cover your ass. Also DO NOT sign anything without thoroughly reading it and you can always demand a consultation meeting with HR before you sign anything.  Also possibly mention having a security guard on property, hype it up as not only employee protection but loss prevention for the store, and customer safety as well- they aren't cops but at least you wouldn't be in the store alone ( personal experience here- half my posts auditors basically tell me to disregard everything except being withing screaming distance so I can be there.)

And for sure call the PD office, get a copy of the report and then ask to speak to that guys boss, and if he seems non caring move up his line to.  You can always send a message to the media to but they don't always do pieces like that.

[savveir]

I had an irate customer refuse to leave the store today. I told him that if he didn't leave, I was going to call the police. He asked, "Will they get here in time before I kill you?" Eight minutes after the 911 call ended, an officer finally showed up. Even though I told them the guy had a gun, they'd coded it as non-emergency. He took his sweet time arguing with me about whether they could do anything, then sat in his car for a solid 5 minutes while I watched the guy pull away from the neighboring store where he'd gone after leaving mine. I called the supervisor later to complain. I asked if there was anything I could do to make myself safer, because I was afraid that if something like this happened again, I'd be dead before they got there. The supervisor's response? "Well, that's possible." So I'm scared to go back. My manager doesn't take it seriously enough to change the schedule so that I'm not there by myself for the entire morning every day that I work. I don't know what to do.

 
((((Stephy)))))
I hope that going higher up the chain of command will help.

[Sophia C]

So I'm scared to go back. My manager doesn't take it seriously enough to change the schedule so that I'm not there by myself for the entire morning every day that I work. I don't know what to do.

I've lit a candle for you on Lugh's shrine. Warrior god, and all that. I wish I could do something more practical to help. Thinking of you.

[Aspiria]

Shitty cops.  The ones that give LE a bad name.  
Yeah, complaints to the PD might help, but if there's a problem of institutional arrogance that won't do much.  I'd consider also going to the city or county-- whoever contracts with LE-- and filing a grievance there.  Hell, crash a council meeting.  
Also, there's local media.  LE hates bad PR.

Where is LE?

[Sage]

Where is LE?

 
LE = Law Enforcement.

[stephyjh]

Where is LE?

That would be...law enforcement.

[Morag]

I had an irate customer refuse to leave the store today. I told him that if he didn't leave, I was going to call the police. He asked, "Will they get here in time before I kill you?" Eight minutes after the 911 call ended, an officer finally showed up. Even though I told them the guy had a gun, they'd coded it as non-emergency. He took his sweet time arguing with me about whether they could do anything, then sat in his car for a solid 5 minutes while I watched the guy pull away from the neighboring store where he'd gone after leaving mine. I called the supervisor later to complain. I asked if there was anything I could do to make myself safer, because I was afraid that if something like this happened again, I'd be dead before they got there. The supervisor's response? "Well, that's possible." So I'm scared to go back. My manager doesn't take it seriously enough to change the schedule so that I'm not there by myself for the entire morning every day that I work. I don't know what to do.

 
(((((Stephy)))))


Sending prayers and energy to keep you safe.

[veggiewolf]

...

(((Stephy)))

I've asked Sekhmet to give you support.

[RandallS]

Sending prayers and energy to keep you safe.

I'm doing the same. And praying someone over your supervisor has more sense.

[sailor]

I had an irate customer refuse to leave the store today. I told him that if he didn't leave, I was going to call the police. He asked, "Will they get here in time before I kill you?" Eight minutes after the 911 call ended, an officer finally showed up. Even though I told them the guy had a gun, they'd coded it as non-emergency. He took his sweet time arguing with me about whether they could do anything, then sat in his car for a solid 5 minutes while I watched the guy pull away from the neighboring store where he'd gone after leaving mine. I called the supervisor later to complain. I asked if there was anything I could do to make myself safer, because I was afraid that if something like this happened again, I'd be dead before they got there. The supervisor's response? "Well, that's possible." So I'm scared to go back. My manager doesn't take it seriously enough to change the schedule so that I'm not there by myself for the entire morning every day that I work. I don't know what to do.

 
One follow the chain of command and keep records.

As for the 911 call, saying the customer has a gun does NOT make it an emergency.  You need to say he has threatened you with gun - per your description it would probably be "he has verbally threatened to kill me with his gun".

Cops have been hit with lawsuits for harassing citizens who are legally carrying.   Given the talk from some anti-gun groups saying there is a gun is an automatic down grade. There has been a call by anti-gun folks to call in as a threat anybody who is showing a gun. Cops are likely to see any call of gun as a anti-gun harassment crying wolf call.