If there's one issue most managers won't yield on, it's their well-being at work. But recently, some self-storage managers are telling stories about having to tread in harm's way with no way to protect themselves. This fear has notably arisen in the process of delivering moving trucks to tenants.

At Self-Storage Talk, the official online forum for Inside Self-Storage, member StorLyon began a conversation about personal safety as it pertains to truck-rental policies. Many self-storage facilities offer tenants the use of a moving truck to transport their goods to storage. Somelike StorLyonswill even deliver the truck to tenants homes or places of business. At the facility in question, the policy requires the tenant to drive the self-storage employee back to work before beginning the moving process. The ride could be in the rented truck or another vehicle.

On the surface, the policy may seem innocuous, but StorLyon points out there is a tremendous risk in allowing members of the public, even if they are paying tenants, to provide transportation for an on-the-clock self-storage employee. Suppose the tenant is under the influence? Suppose the tenant has nefarious intentions with the employee (i.e., kidnapping, assault, robbery)? Because most company policies forbid employees from carrying weapons while at work, the employee is vulnerable to attack. Suppose the tenant is, at the very least, a bad driver in an unsafe vehicle and creates an accident?

In responding to StorLyons post, other members agree the policy is dangerous. Some have even suggested that any manager or employee put in this position by his company should "update their resume."

SST member Jughead provides a laundry list of useful tips regarding safety and moving-truck delivery, for example: "I would operate the truck only during daylight hours. After-hours truck runs are more likely to be accident-prone and may cause you to work overtime."

Even taking precautions isn't enough for member Autodoc. He writes, "I would not get into an unknown person's car these daysno way, no how! I would rather flip burgers then put myself in that position."

The discussion is ongoing at Self-Storage Talk. You can post a response if you are a registered member. If you're not registered, you can do so quickly, easily and for free at www.selfstoragetalk.com/register.php.

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