Answer:
Answer from Randy: The liability issue could only be answered through the court systems. Do you have a right to refuse, sure. Do they have a right to terminate you, probably.
Answer:
Answer from Andy: The purpose of having more than one employee clear and open a branch/area is for the protection of all the staff and customers who may later be in there. Is it particularly hazaradous, no, but it potentially could be. The risks are minimal, but are the same for you whether you are part-time or full-time, and whether you answer the phones all day or are a Security Officer. Fewer valuables are in a call center so the risk is even lower than for a branch with teller cash and a vault. It isn't likely that the bank will have one person who clears the area unless that is in their job description. A security guard may be employed to be first in and clear the building. Many banks don't see the expense justification and would rather have employees look and proceed. That is, look at the doors and windows, if they're as they should be, proceed. Look at the locks, look at the lights, look at the furniture, etc. and proceed when it looks right. You back out if it doesn't.
There isn't a high degree of risk here, it can certainly fall under "all other duties assigned" which is common in a job description but as Randy noted, you are free to refuse but you may have limited yourself as to any prolonged employment possibilities.
First published on BankersOnline.com 1/9/12
print
share