Knives banned on the job

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will62

Joined
Oct 18, 2002
Messages
372
This may not be a unique problem but:

My boss has decided that pocketknives are not to be carried in our vehicles or persons while at work. Corporate policy only says knives must comply with local laws, this is a local level decision. The only cutting tool we are allowed is a pair of EMT shears. As I am the only driver that carries a knife, I feel this is a ploy to find a reason to fire me. To remain low key for the last year I have carried either a stockman or a canoe, now even they are banned on a local level. Going to the regional and national supervisors I have been told the boss can do what she wants.

Is this starting to be a trend?
 
Rules are rules. In this economy best to play by the rules, imho. Later on when jobs come back and more choices pop up then you can make a choice of where to work. That said its a silly rule to not allow a pocket knife, but it is what it is.
 
The corporate policy of the corporation for which I work essentially says "no knives, but you can carry what your local site allows."

My local division, which is older than the corporation, allows only a 2" blade with a 4 1/2" overall opened length. It helps that we are a factory site, and not just a cube farm. The size limit drives me nuts. But, at this point, I have too much seniority and am too old to go job hunting. So I live with it.

You should probably decide whether you want to live with the regs or find a new job. Being advised that pocket knives are more and more considered weapons in corporations, mostly for liability reasons. They do not want to be sued for not providing a "safe working environment".
 
I love my job I can carry anything I want (within reason) I carry two and three pocketknives sometimes;)
The world is becoming a sad place ; when will we no longer be alowed to wear the clothes we want....
 
That's why I carry a Spyderco Chicago G-10 inside the waistband when I'm at work. We are not supposed to have knives, but we have alot of boxes from supplies that need to be broken down on a daily basis. Most everyone knows I have it, but the only time it's out is when I'm using it on said boxes. When they see that it's actually be used for something useful and not being fondled or opened and closed for the heck of it, they have no problem with it.
 
I would require all my employees to carry a knife. sucks to hear about your company.
 
I talked to a contractor of an Oilfield Co and he said "NO POCKET KNIVES" allowed on their property. Safety issue. Stupid is as stupid does.
 
I am only allowed to carry a tool that is issued by the company. All employess at my site recently signed a form to show notification and understanding of the policy. It became a hot issue recently when an employee cut himself closing a personal knife. The policy specifically named pocket knives, but includes all tools. We can get a company issued retractable bladed "knife".
The founder of our company was an officer during the Civil War. I think he would be a bit bewildered by the new policy.
 
What the Hell is wrong with this country? When did corporate robots acquire the ability to tell people what they can and cannot carry on their person? I say do what you want, carry what you want, use what works best for you, and the 'boss' be damned! Unless they submit you to a strip search, or metal detector, who's to know any better? I've found ways to work around such 'policies', and it wasn't that hard. Just keep things out of sight, and you should have no problems. If they DO give you a pat-down, or you have to walk through a metal detector every day, you're in the wrong field. No offense to anyone in particular, but every one of us tool-users who 'submits' to these incursions on our freedom is hurting the cause. Speak up!
 
I don't follow knife laws, they're unconstitutional and while I can get away with it I will. It's my peaceful protest. I've worked at places where they said, 'if you cut yourself you'll be fired' that's fine, just don't try to tell me I can't carry my knife.
 
Unfortunately this is the result of an overly litigious and security oriented culture. If anything goes wrong it's someone else's fault. Heaven forbid we would be held responsible for protecting ourselves.

One good thing though, Georgia just made it illegal to ban weapons in your car - even on company property. Maybe there is some hope.
 
Gadgetman7 said:
One good thing though, Georgia just made it illegal to ban weapons in your car - even on company property. Maybe there is some hope.
Click to expand...

Indiana recently passed a similar law, but my company falls under a Homeland Security anti-terrorism exception. I'm sure the parking lots are full of firearms though.
 
Since when does some guy's pocket knife make the workplace unsafe? What about the roads we drive from home to work? I feel safer surrounded by armed co-workers, than the soccer Mom that talks on the phone while driving.
Farm machinery is dangerous.
Factories are dangerous.


A safe work environment isn't in place for the common worker, it's in place for the company and their legal "upper hand" and financial gain.
 
I work in an office and we are not supposed to bring "weapons" to work or "anything that could be used as a weapon". The rule is broad they could nail anyone for any thing.


What I love though is the first thing the office manager gave me the day I started was 6" cast iron scissors. Now you could stab the h$(( out of someone with those things.
 
I'm for breaking the rules. I carry a crkt at work. I've been told not to carry it but I do anyway.
 
Work really doesn't preach their policy, but the boss seems to change his mind by the day. My shirt covers my knife and what they don't know, don't hurt them. I am a mechanic and use my knife daily. Its to a point that I have one for work carry only.
 
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