workplace concealed carry issues

[NcongruNt]

Sorry if this is covered somewhere else, I didn't find anything when searching...

I'm looking for advice or insight into anyone else's experience in this type of situation:

I am waiting on my CHL app to process, so I was looking into the policies at work to see if there was anything prohibiting me from carrying at work, once I get my license.

My troubles began when I was searching for the employee manual on the company intranet. I asked a co-worker (over a text chat) if it was immediately available somewhere without having to contact HR and request it (today is a Saturday, and they won't be available until Monday). I subsequently found what I believe is the current manual and started searching for policies, clarifying to my coworker that I was searching for policies regarding our office.

Background on the coworker: She knows that I am applying for my CHL, and since we'd had discussions regarding her getting a handgun for home defense, as well as possibly going to the range together, it didn't seem to be of much consequence discussing CHL-related things with her.

As I was searching through the manual, she asked me what I was specifically looking for. As I had discussed CHL-related things with her before, I didn't see a problem telling her. So I told her that I was trying to see if there was anything prohibiting me from carrying at work once I got my CHL. Suddenly, she seems to turn very ANTI, and tells me that she would throw a fit if I did, and that she does NOT want me carrying. She states that there is no reason for me to have it (as we work indoors all day, etc.), telling not to ever bring it on the property "at ALL", telling me I should get a taser instead if I felt I needed it. This came as a shock to me, and as it didn't seem to be a rational argument, I didn't give her any response after that. I did e-mail the HR manager (located in Chicago), asking when a good time would be to contact her, but not stating what it was specifically about, other than that it was a request clarification on policy.

Now, some background on my workplace. Our facility is not located in the best of areas, and crime is relatively high where we are. We have had 6 vehicle breakins to employee vehicles in the last month, mine included. We are located across the street from a bar, and in the general vicinity of many more, with drunk people walking next to our building coming from those bars during the late shift hours. Arguments and near-fights break out in the street directly in front of our building regularly. Theft is high, and there are lots of transients roaming around our building at all hours of the day, but more notably during the night and the early morning. Unlike the facilities in other cities, ours does not have security guards, and is very minimally staffed during the night time hours (such as when I work).

It is not an implausible that an assault could occur to an employee going to or from his/her vehicle (the parking lot is adjacent to an alley).

The company is based in Chicago where there is no such thing as Concealed Carry, so I'm not aware of any policy against it. This may put me at a disadvantage because this may make the company ANTI by default. If they do say that it is allowable to carry, I then face the issue of my coworker vehemently demanding that I do not carry at work. I do not feel comfortable leaving my handgun in the car, due to the breakins. I do have a secure lockbox, though access to it is limited to either crawling over a seat, or opening a sliding door (it's a van), which would seem rather conspicuous to me, either way. I do suppose I could install a new one up front (under the seat, etc.), though leaving the gun in the car would mostly defeat the point of having it in the first place.

If any of you have had a similar problem, I welcome your insights to how you've dealt with the situation.

Thanks in advance.

[txinvestigator]

If your company does not prohibit carry, and your co-worker complains about your carrying you can either tell her to pound sand, or let her know that if some angry ex-employee, disgruntled customer, scorned lover/former lover of another employee or just simpled crazed gunman comes in to kill people, since you will be the ONLY one in a position to defend yourself that you will be sure to protect HER first.

Quite frankly, if I am obeying law and policy I don't care who my carrying bothers.

[NcongruNt]

If your company does not prohibit carry, and your co-worker complains about your carrying you can either tell her to pound sand, or let her know that if some angry ex-employee, disgruntled customer, scorned lover/former lover of another employee or just simpled crazed gunman comes in to kill people, since you will be the ONLY one in a position to defend yourself that you will be sure to protect HER first.

Quite frankly, if I am obeying law and policy I don't care who my carrying bothers.

Ordinarily, I'd agree with you. My workplace, however, is not the typical workplace environment. We have about a dozen or so employees all performing various facets of the same work, and we are a pretty close-knit group. At any time, there's not likely to be more than 7 or so of us in the office at the same time. Part of the reason for this is the absence of normal corporate infrastructure at our office (no HR, secretaries, management, etc. - with the exception of the VP who has a pretty hands-off approach to management) because we do so well at our jobs without it, and I fear that drawing this out or telling my coworker to "pound sand" may cause a drastic change in that environment, and putting the working relationships of our office into an uncomfortable and resentful undertone.

All of this may be a moot point, if corporate says I cannot carry. I'm going to be talking with the VP come Monday and see where it goes from there.

[Right2Carry]

Once again another reason to keep your CHL to yourself. You never know how anyone is going to react. I wouldn't have told her squat when she inquired what I was searching for and if that is not an option I would have made something up. If you can't find it in the company manual, and the site is not posted 30.06 I don't think I would have worried to much about it.

Most companies policies on firearms are pretty easy to find in the corporate manual if one exitst. Most companies usually ban weapons in the workplace as a condition of employment. You might try searching the company manual with regards to weapons and there you should find a definition of what is not allowed.

I feel pretty sure HR is going to tell you no way ,and all you will have done is put yourself in the spotlight.

[AG-EE]

I would strongly suggest a don't ask, don't tell approach. If they don't currently have a policy regarding carrying, they will about 2 days after you ask about it.

[Crossfire]

I would strongly suggest a don't ask, don't tell approach. If they don't currently have a policy regarding carrying, they will about 2 days after you ask about it.

I am in total agreement with that.

And as far as your coworker goes, I think I would explain to her about your concern with leaving the gun in the car, since there has been a history of break-ins. We wouldn't want to arm any more criminals, would we?

I would also explain to her that your gun is only for your personal protection while making the dangerous journey to and from your car. And then I would add that she will understand it all better after she takes HER CHL class, and that you can have a more intelligent coversation with her after that happens.

I understand that you don't want to change your working dynamics, but it appears that you already have. Best you can do now is damage control. Good luck with the situation.

[txinvestigator]

[I fear that drawing this out or telling my coworker to "pound sand" may cause a drastic change in that environment, and putting the working relationships of our office into an uncomfortable and resentful undertone.

That's why I offered the alternative.

[flintknapper]

Now, some background on my workplace. Our facility is not located in the best of areas, and crime is relatively high where we are. We have had 6 vehicle breakins to employee vehicles in the last month, mine included. We are located across the street from a bar, and in the general vicinity of many more, with drunk people walking next to our building coming from those bars during the late shift hours. Arguments and near-fights break out in the street directly in front of our building regularly. Theft is high, and there are lots of transients roaming around our building at all hours of the day, but more notably during the night and the early morning. Unlike the facilities in other cities, ours does not have security guards, and is very minimally staffed during the night time hours (such as when I work).

Sounds like 6th street in Austin, or that general area.

I would not be without my pistol under similar circumstances.

Don't ask, Don't tell.

[stevie_d_64]

"D.A.D.T.", and don't offer...

Even after HB 284 is voted on and signed (hopefully)...

I would venture to say it would be safe to keep the same policy...

Just a suggestion...

[lrb111]

I gotta run with the herd on this. Forgot about getting an answer or asking the question.

Carry deep, don't get huggy with your peers, keep it concealed, both physically and verbally.

Then in a couple months when your friend asks if you are carrying,,,,
still tell her No, even if you are.

[Venus Pax]

I agree with the others here. DADT.
I think you're wise to get your hands on a company manual, and also not to tell them the reason. If you weren't told you can't carry, then you can.

I sympathize with you on the co-worker getting paranoid. My stepsister did the same thing when I let her know I had my carry gun with me in her house. I learned my lesson and will not make the same mistake again.

People aren't always rational.

[Lucky45]

You haven't received your CHL yet, but you have learned one the first rules of having a CHL. "DO NOT TELL ANYONE THAT YOU HAVE A CHL." I won't even tell my pastor, if I was you. Now you have to worry about who else knows now and will be looking at you funny from now. Or are they really watching you?

[Mike1951]

Silence is Golden!

No, wait.........that's a song.

[srothstein]

On the part of the co-worker, I have to agree with everyone else and say, don't ask, don't tell. She won't be bothered if she doesn't know you are carrying.

On the part of the HR manager, I would say to do it a little differently. Don't ask about firearms as that may be enough of a hint to them to give you the notice to begin with. Just ask for a current copy of the HR manual, or where it is kept on the intranet in the most updated format. Tell him that someone else was asking a question about time accrual or something and you just wanted to know where to get the most factual information in case there was another question. Then, search the manual very carefully to make sure it doesn't have anything, maybe printing out a copy with the date you checked in case it gets changed.

[KBCraig]

And remember, "written notice" in the employee manual has to exactly match the 30.06 verbiage to count legally. Of course, they could still fire you, but they could do that even if firearms aren't mentioned in the employee handbook.

Another DADT advocate here.

Kevin