Lockers at work

[Tiki_Torch]

We recently had all the locks taken off of our lockers at work with no reason given for this change. Now we do not have a "safe" place to keep our wallets and checkbooks, etc. while we are working. Our lockers are in our department but loads of people enter our area day and night and the lockers are located in an area of our unit which is completely out of our visual and hearing ability to monitor... and right beside the door leading to the hallway. Our only option is to lock up our purses, etc. in our cars. I'm just wondering how common this is around the country.

So, my question is: If you have lockers you can use, do you have a way of actually locking them while you are at work?

[USA987, MSN, RN, NP]

Ours lock, but we have to share with another person...and they are so small, I'm lucky if I can fit 1 tennis shoe in it!!

[jemb]

My answer should acturally be a "yes, but..." There are not enough lockers for everyone, so they have been on a first come, first serve basis. Until somone relinguishes a locker, a newcomer doesn't get one.

[kc ccurn]

We have to provide our own locks. Like previous poster, not enough lockers, they are small. At least seniority has benefited me in that I have a locker.

[TracyB,RN, RN]

Yes, we have lockers. We provide our own lock. They are pretty spacious, enough room for coat, lab jacket, shoes, etc. We even have an extra space at the top of the lockers that is large enough to hold several large textbooks. First come, first serve basis.

[RN~in~CT]

We have locking lockers, however, they are not as secure as one might hope. In the past there has been a problem where our lockers were broken into and $, credit cards and such were stolen.

[Chaya, ASN, RN]

12 half-size lockers for about, oh, 30 staff in all. Have to bring your own lock. I just stuff keys, ID and cash in a little zipper bag that fits in my pocket; anything else is left in the coatroom.

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

if you can lock up your purse in your car do you really need it at all? Several years ago I decided to do like the guys do---carry keys in one pocket and wallet in another. I do not need a purse even when out shopping because I use debit card or credit card exclusively. Carrying all that stuff was just habit. Our unit created a spot in the bathroom for sanitary items and people brought their own to store there. Our lockers can be locked but I have not used a locker in years (rarely need winter coat here).

[Noney]

Purplemania

I also carry a wallet sometimes it's so much easier then dragging a purse everywhere. But a couple of weeks ago I was paying for gas and pulled a credit card with my husband name on it out my wallet to pay and the clerk accused me of stealing the wallet. I ended up paying with my debit card that was also in my wallet. My husband thought it was hilarious. The worst time is the same clerk has waited on my several times in the past.

Back to lockers we have them but we are only susposed to keep locks on them while we are at work in case of a bomb threat so they can quickly be checked.

Noney

[Ortho_RN]

We do have lockers, but you have to provide your own lock.. The only thing I keep in mine is my Stethoscope, alocohol swabs, deoderant, pens... I keep my purse in the medication room in a cabinet.

[zambezi, BSN, RN]

Our unit is shaped in a circle with a report/break room in the center. I usually just keep my stuff in there, coat, etc. I leave my wallett in the car, keys in my coat pocket. Down a hall a little ways we have another locked breakroom with mens and womens locker room with big locked lockers. There is also a shower in there. I don't know it seems like very few people use the locker room. Our break room is pretty safe though...I work in a critical care unit so people have to call to come back and to get into the break room others would have to walk behind the desk...I don't know, it never has seemed to be a problem. The only thing that has ever been stolen was some money we were collecting for a coworkers retirement party...it was even kept in out narc box (locked) which was even more disconcerting:eek: