Legal Advice if possible (long)

Hi, just wondered if any legal eagles out there could give me some pointers.

I work for a huge firm, but due to signing the "Official Secrets Act", cannot
name them, so just imagine a big building, employing some 400 staff.

Ok, so here's the situation: Helmet Theft.

My workplace has a large locker room, which all "uniformed" staff use. I store
my helmet on top of the locker, due to the fact that the locker is full with my
bike boots, jacket, gloves and also my works jacket, work shoes, etc taking up
the room. So, I sandwiched my helmet neck strap in between the locker door and
frame, so that, if it gets knocked, it will only drop against the door and not
onto the floor. As our car park, although private, is accessible by the public,
leaving the helmet on the bike is not an option.

A few weeks ago, a notice appeared in the locker room stating that all items
stored above the lockers would be removed and held in Lost Property, but this
would exclude Motorcycles. Then, one of the managers (who I was lending a Moto
GP disc to) came over to my locker and pointed out my helmet on top of it. I
said that it was physically impossible to store it in my locker, and opened it,
showing him the jammed contents. He agreed, saying that they were too small for
the job, and had said that the company were thinking of purchasing specialised
helmet lockers for staff using motorbikes, and were in the process of asking
staff if they would use them.

Three days later, my helmet was pinched off the top of the locker. It had been
forcibly removed, as it would have taken a fair bit of effort to yank the chin
strap free from the door. The managers check Lost Property, and all round the
building. Not a sign of it.

Now here comes the interesting bit. Due to the nature of our workplace, we have
high intensity security cameras all over the inside and outside of the building,
but none in the actual locker room. There is no other exit from the locker area,
and windows only open 4 inches. However, if anyone was to come out of the locker
room, the helmet would be spotted if it were carried or worn, by the security
cameras. I know the exact hours from when my helmet was last seen, to when I
went to pick it up. A total of 4 hours and 20 minutes. I ask for the office
manager to check the security cameras. The next day I am told that the cameras
were not in operation.

I have checked to see if there is a "items left at own risk" notice, but there
is no such disclaimer in the building referring to personal items.

So my question is this. In my opinion, I have secured my property to the best of
my ability with the equipment provided. Having been told that helmet lockers are
being considered due to other items going missing in the locker area and also
the fact that the security cameras where not in operation, have I a right to
claim for my loss from the company?

TIA

Matt



http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/matt-hazel/index.html
(please pop the "pop" to reply)

 

SNIP >

Doh, I meant Helmets!

Matt
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/matt-hazel/index.html
(please pop the "pop" to reply)

 

Blotto wrote

See now that is bollox because if you had actually read what you signed
you would know that once you have signed it you can neither confirm nor
deny that you have signed it. Now you are in trouble.

 

And we're all in breach of the OSA for having read it too. We're all
going to prison.

 

Who you work for is not an official secret (Unless you are James Bond).
Every single civil servant, DHS worker etc. has signed it. I did years ago.
The "secrets" are the information you use in your job (National Insurance
numbers etc.)

 

Typo fixed.

 

I cannot clearly recall whether I have signed the official secrets act
or not, nor if I was anywhere at the time.

 

Ah but this is the "Official *Really* Secrets Act". You're not even
allowed to read it when you sign it.
Not that I can confirm or deny anything.

 

I saw him do it Officer. Now, about my relocation to somewhere warm.

 

Bugger. I didn't know my NI number was secret. I'm really stuffed - I
told everybody I ever worked for what it was.

 

I've got an escape plan, next time those religious freaks are at my
front door I'm buying their magazine then demanding a new identity,
under the Jehova's Witness protection act.

You'll never catch me.

 

If you lose it then it is an absloute pain to find it out again. I recommend
telling everyone you know so that they can help out if you do forget.

The same principle applies to bank account passwords.

 

<Points Ginge out to MIB[1]>

[1] Mormons in Black

 

Imagine the scenario:

Boss: Close your eyes?
Employee: Why?
Boss: It's a secret.
Employee: OK <closes eyes>
Boss: Sign here. <helps guide hand>
Employee: <scribble>
Boss: Ok open them.
Employee: What was it?
Boss: Dunno, I'm not alowed to see it either.

 

If I were you, I'd start by discreetly enquiring if anyone in the CCTV
monitoring station rides a motorbike, followed by finding out who has a set
of master keys for the lockers. Could be one and the same people. In my
experience, your standard RentAGuards usually tend towards being thick
enough to turn up to work wearing your helmet.

 

OK Mate. Mine is

 

Ginge wrote

Have they developed a vaccine then? Immunity from gingerness, the world
will love that. I don't think anybody would be bothered with a total
cure though.

 

I suspect in the long term it will die out due to lack of a breeding
population.

 

Sorry - hit send too early. S'never happened before - must be the
excitement.

 

Funny, I've got a floppy drive and need a hard disk.