Staff in a sports shop have been subject to searches from management, including having to lift their tops "just sufficient to view the stomach area".
The search rule at JD Sports has been causing concern amongst workers with one source telling CorkBeo it "felt like they were treating us like animals".
It's understood a general rule on checking bags and jackets upon leaving has always been in place, but management were recently given "refresher training" and the measures were ramped up following an increased level of theft at the Patrick St store.
The searches, which don't involve physical touching, have been happening in other JD Sports stores in Ireland for a number of years.
During them people are told to empty their bags, take off their jackets, and lift their tops to show the stomach area in front of a manager before leaving.
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Workers can also be told to roll their trouser legs and sleeves up, and roll their socks down.
One former employee who used to work in a Dublin store told CorkBeo they found the practice "very embarrassing".
A source in Cork said staff in the city were recently informed they'd be subjected to the rules, and that it followed and "increased levels of theft".
Managers were given "refresher" training on the policy, which outlined how a common form of attempted theft is for people to tie items around their waist to conceal them.
The source said: "They used to search bags and jackets, they'd have to turn them inside out, and that was every day when they were leaving.
"Recently people had to pull up their t-shirts a bit and show their back and front.
"There was a recent stock take, which showed some stuff missing, and that's when the search policy was upped.
"People weren't happy about it."
Another said: "It felt like they were treating us like animals. It didn't feel fair. It felt like they were violating our privacy.
"The age demographic is young, and some people working there are under 18."
CorkBeo has sourced a copy of an employee's contact, which includes a section titled "staff searches" and details all of the measures.
In it, it states that all company employees are subject to bag searches before leaving any premises.
It says those deemed to be "unreasonably refusing to submit to a search" will be "dealt with through the disciplinary procedure and may lead to your dismissal".
It reads: "Clothing searches should be undertaken off the shop floor during trading hours, preferable under the view of the company CCTV equipment, and near to the exit doors at the end of trading, again under the view of company CCTV recording equipment for auditing purposes."
It also says that these searches would "ideally" be carried out by a member of management and by a person of the same sex.
"If a store only has single sex management, then another person of the same sex must be present to witness any search in addition to the management."
The measure isn't applied if it clashes with someone's religious beliefs.
The employee contract outlines the following procedures:
- bags should be emptied by the owner
- coats should be taken off and the pockets and sleeves should be turned inside out
- trouser bottoms should be lifted to the knee and socks should be rolled down
- trouser pockets should be emptied and turned inside out
- trousers should be pulled right across the leg
- remaining top layers of clothing are to be individually raised just sufficient to view the stomach area
- sleeves should be rolled up
When contacted a spokesperson for JD's said management are "fully trained" and that searches are "strictly non-contact".
They said: “In common with others in the retail sector, JD informs colleagues when they join that they may be subject to clothing and bag searches prior to leaving any company premises – including clear guidelines that these should be carried out ideally by a member of management and by a person of the same sex.
"If a store only has single sex management, then another person of the same sex must be present. All managers are fully trained in these guidelines including that a clothing search is strictly non-contact.”
Jamie Murphy of the Independent Workers Union in Cork city described the situation as a "disgrace", and said it "takes a lot of autonomy away from workers".
"To be blunt about it, it's disgraceful. There are certain practices that can almost be excused depending on a certain shop. Maybe in some you might have to turn your bag inside out if you're working there. It can be understandable in some cases.
"But if you're having to show skin in your place of work that can be degrading.
"A lot of people who work in retail might be younger, and I'd urge everyone to make sure they know their rights.
"A measure like this takes a lot of autonomy away from workers. They should be able to say no to this."
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