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Absolutely, you should talk to your boss about it.  It is a safety issue and they may have liability issues should you be injured.  I don't think you have to raise it as an issue about you being young and pretty and female, just that you are vulnerable by yourself and the clientele can be unpredictable.  I know how you feel, my husband works with mentally ill patients and it can be very challenging.  He has been threatened several times but never actually attacked, although part of me feels that it's just a matter of time.  If your boss hasn't actually thought out the safety issues and how to ensure that you don't get attacked on the job, then s/he needs to start thinking about that ASAP.

I completely agree. You've got to tell your boss if you don't feel safe on the job. If nothing else, he may have some suggestions of ways you can deal with some of the odder patients you have to deal with.

Be safe!

You can express your concern to your boss if you're really that creeped out by it.  He may recommend carrying pepper spray or have some safety tips for you.  This is something that's part of the job and you'll have to eventually get used to, though.  Nobody should have to get used to being afraid, but you'll get yourself into a routine that'll keep you safe a majority of the time.  There will be instances where even though you did everything you could to protect yourself, the customer will still try to attack you.  This is why it's best your boss knows your thoughts and can tell you if it's all right for you to carry a taser gun or something.

first thing ~ get yourself signed up for a self defense class.
second thing ~ get yourself a personal alarm and carry it with you on your deliveries.
ask your boss for some tips on dealing with problem customers.  Write down the addresses that are problems and let someone know when you have to deliver to those addresses.
Carry your cell phone with you, my last one I could program 911 to dial when I pressed 9.  my new one doesn't do this.

Good luck and stay safe.

Definitely sign up for a self defense class.  Either a workshop geared specifically towards women or an ongoing martial art.  This should help you keep your head and not panic if a situation arises.  It's also useful on dates (you never know).

Consider ordering pepper spray, I keep a container in my glove compartment even though I never expect to need it.

Put 911 on the speed dial in your cell phone.

Check into training specific to your field in dealing with clients.

You should definitely talk to your boss about it. Maybe ask him to implement a policy that employees are discouraged or not allowed to enter the home of the client. That way, when someone is nagging you to come in you can tell them it's against policy...or hell, just tell them that anyway :)

Self defense classes are also a good idea and carry pepper spray. Another good trick is when you are carrying your keys hold them in your fist with a key sticking out between your knuckles. It doesn't look that suspicious, but it definately gives you an advantage if you are attacked.

Oh my gosh.  I can't believe they actually deliver drugs!  Not to make you any more parnoid, but a lot of the drugs are considered scheduled and they get stolen more often then not. 

You are smart not to go into their houses.  It may be innocent, but you can't be too certain. 

Can you ask to change positions?

Good luck.

Then quit!

I would assume that your employer has a responsibility to ensure your safety, although I'm not sure what could be done in this instance.

I have 2 bits of advice:

When asked to enter the home, reply "no thank-you, I have to hurry - my boss is waiting for me in the car".

Second, by all means take a self defence course - but I'll never forget the piece of advice an instructor gave to my younger sister: "Carry a brick in your purse.  Don't even think about using it as a weapon, but if you're in danger of being attacked, throw that brick through the nearest window.  If you do that, someone is going to call the police!"

Take care of you,

Split

i think you should look for a new job.  if you feel vulnerable, any predators out there are going to pick up on that, and if they know that they can request a delivery and you're likely to be the one who shows up at the door, it's basically a set-up.  the whole situation is just bad.

I would feel the same way you do.   I would talk to your boss.   And I would NEVER go into somebodys home.  

I agree with the other posters and would take self defense. I would look into to Pepper spray and or a Taser as long as they are legal.  Please make sure if you decide to carry a taser you get proper training.

If you are still really uncomfortable and cannot switch to a safer position I would consider employement elsewhere. 

i would take some college courses at night and get a job where i don't have to be afraid and make some good money too!

i have a 357 and a license to carry it.

delivering medication is not a safe job. i mean how many people know that you are carrying it?

druggies scare me. they will do almost anything for a fix. i would be more worried about them than the patients i am delivering to. the patients you can easily say, "sorry it's against company policy to enter" simple.

i don't know how much your boss will do for you. they will not pay someone to go with you. two salaries? probably not. and he will not admit danger because he would be opening himself up for liability should something happen to you and there be record you were worried. can you say "law suit"

good luck

Pepper spray, Pepper spray, Pepper Spray.   Unless they are high on angel dust that stuff works well.   In fact, I use to have a landlord whose toyboy was a druggy.  He was continually trying to break into my apartment.  One day, I finally just opened the door with the pepper spray in my hand and asked, "Do you know what this is?"  He ran.   He didn't even stay long enough to make sure it was what it appeared to be.  He had been sprayed before and did not want it to happen again. 

911 on your speed dial on your cell phone so all you have to do is hold down one button for about 3 seconds and it dials automatically is good too.   Another thing to consider, is taking a self defense course.   Judeo or Akita are the best martial arts for self defense, they use the arm twists and flips.    If my nearly 56 year old mother can learn how to do it so can you.  

Check with your local community center or martial arts schools for self defense classes.    My teenage daughters are both well versed in self defense.  My 14 year old isn't very strong but,  it doesn't take a lot of strength to stick someone in the eye with your car key or even drop to your knees to avoid being grabbed and using your hand instead of your foot or knee on those sensitive parts of the body.    Just grab and squeeze hard.   Then  to keep them down use the pepper spray and call the police.  <grins> 

 

 

A lot of good advice already. I just wanted to say it's good you stand your ground and refuse to come into their homes or anything else that makes you feel uncomfortable

Read Gift of Fear if you have a chance. It talks a lot about respecting your warning signals like you have been doing. Too often women don't listen to that little voice that says "ok this isn't right" because they don't want to offend someone.

Surely you realised when you took up a job of delivering prescriptions it wasn't going to be a massive walk in the park? If you feel really uncomfortable then you shouldn't be doing the job really I can understand why you'd feel this way but i just wouldn't take up the job, i'd find something else to do

Totally agree with all the advice you have been given, out of it all I'd say get another job.

People talk so how many of the ones you deliver to have told someone else "o yes that nice young woman from the pharmacy delivers my prescription every ??".

Sorry to add to your fear, but really get out of it.

Original Post by scubatoy:

Then quit!

Yeah because quitting really helps overcome fears.

schnooder, i think your fears in this situation are legitimate.  if you were afraid of being attacked at your job in an elementary school or a water park, that would be a fear you need to overcome.

Well I  am just not the type of person to give up my job because something about it bothers me. I really like the job there is just some houses that make me nervous. I talked to my boss and he said not to go in if I felt uncomfortable and if I wanted I could carry pepper spray. He was very nice and understanding about it so I will just prepare myself better when going to bad homes.

I know the pizza delivery people here in our little town aren't allowed to go into homes.  They always say its against policy - there are a few who will come in as long as my dog is outside that is!!!