bees at the workplace

[polomadh]

I work for a large employer and the office is currently located within a large expanse of land. My initial request to start my second apiary at work has been turned down.... red tape getting in the way. I was wondering if anyone is aware of any company that has allowed hives on site, and if they have used this in a positive way to promote the company or staff wel-being at all?

 

[beeatshellards]

there is a thread on here earlier, about hives in London on rooftops ,but dont know where , someone will be along soon to enlighten you , welcome to the forum by the way

 

[tonybloke]

I work for a large employer and the office is currently located within a large expanse of land. My initial request to start my second apiary at work has been turned down.... red tape getting in the way. I was wondering if anyone is aware of any company that has allowed hives on site, and if they have used this in a positive way to promote the company or staff wel-being at all?

have a word with 'polyanwood' on this forum r.e. bees on work sites.


welcome to the forum from me as well.
rgds, Tony

 

[thorn]

Last week's Law Society Gazette reported that two large commercial firms of solicitors in London are setting up hives and training some of their staff to care for them. It's a stress busting therapy for the staff (at least, until they find this forum).

 

[Stiffy]

I work for a large employer and the office is currently located within a large expanse of land. My initial request to start my second apiary at work has been turned down.... red tape getting in the way. I was wondering if anyone is aware of any company that has allowed hives on site, and if they have used this in a positive way to promote the company or staff wel-being at all?

I work for a Wildlife Trust and they are more than happy for me to have bees onsite.....but then you wouldnt expect any different.
S

 

[Nic Rhodes]

The local association has set up on a science park.

 

[richardbees]

bees at the workplace

is not encouraged by BALPA, ASLEF and the Tower Crane Drivers Union amongst others.....

 

[Easy Beesy]

Hey stiffy

I asked our local Wildlife Trust (NW) about putting hives on nature reserve but was told managed hives are not 'natural' so no hives on site. What type of huve are your girls at work in?

 

[Hebeegeebee]

I have 2 hives at my place of work and I had 2 or 3 mini-nucs there in the summer. I'll take a hive or nuc or something there later to over-winter. I usually inspect after nearly everyone has gone home in the evening - just in case of any ratty girls. (That's the bees not the staff).

One hive was a bit ratty after the OSR finished but otherwise no problem.

The hives don't promote staff well-being but I take in some bread and honey now and again.

THEN I sell honey in the kitchen and leave a tin for the money

 

[alynewbee]

I work for a large employer and the office is currently located within a large expanse of land. My initial request to start my second apiary at work has been turned down.... red tape getting in the way. I was wondering if anyone is aware of any company that has allowed hives on site, and if they have used this in a positive way to promote the company or staff wel-being at all?

Bramshill Police College in Hampshire have bees, and even encourage members of the public to look around on their open days. All brilliant PR.

Alyson

 

[itma]

Canterbury Beekeepers are establishing an apiary on the roof of a city-centre shopping centre.
http://www.yourcanterbury.co.uk/news/tens_of_thousands_of_bees_head_to_canterbury_1_1002023

Whitefriars manager Peter Scutt added: “This is the latest in a range of initiatives at Whitefriars to reduce our carbon footprint and champion green causes. We are delighted to be playing our part in reviving bee keeping in this part of Kent.

 

[region2]

Nomura!

R2

 

[tidymeup]

I keep 8 hives at work although to be honest the firm is owned partly by my dad but it has actually made sales of honey and the products that we sell to.

 

[drstitson]

i've been known to keep the odd queen on my desk for a day or two.

but that's not what your asking is it!!!

 

[greatbritishhoney]

The only word of caution that I would add is that if they have already said no once, then you may constantly find yourself on the back foot even if they do eventually say yes. Every wasp that provokes a screaming fit in the staff canteen will be a black mark against your name

 

[Stiffy]

Hey stiffy

I asked our local Wildlife Trust (NW) about putting hives on nature reserve but was told managed hives are not 'natural' so no hives on site. What type of huve are your girls at work in?

My bees are in 14x12 and at the Trust offices. I asked the reserves team and they had no problems with me using some spare ground as long as it was away from the ponies which graze the site and footpaths. I havnt asked about locating on a reserve and this may have other implications.
S

 

[greatbritishhoney]

I havnt asked about locating on a reserve and this may have other implications.
S

There was a recent study (in my opinion quite flawed) that said that the presence of honeybees might contribute to a lowering of bodyweight/size of bumbles. The study then went on to make a massive unscientific leap to say that this could affect bumblebee populations (even though there was no evidence for this).
This is the kind of thing that might make Wildlife Trusts etc to wary of siting honeybees on their reserves.

 

[Poly Hive]

I have been pondering the wisdom of this.

Can we set aside roof tops in London/city of your choice as that is a rather different matter.

Insurance first and foremost so you can demonstrate you and from their point of view they have their backsides covered.

Competence. Can you prove you are? They will want to see a cert of some kind, all bureaucracies live by the paper trail.

Risk to you. If say things go seriously wrong, like the apprentices bet each other on who will drive a fork lift through the apiary and a hive is smacked and the bees erupt. BTW if you have never seen a powerful hive express it's ire then you really do have no idea of the risks. They can range over several hundred yards stinging.

Then after the furore dies down what is the implication to your future employment and or promotion? How will your fellow workers view you after the funeral?

You see it's not really a minor matter, and very akin to having bees in the garden, it's all sweetness and light until the slurry hits the fan and it becomes very dirty indeed.

Just some food for thought.

PH

 

[drstitson]

well summarised PH.

the odd hive on london rooftops is unlikely to have repercussions.

hives formally sited at places of employment will do as per your examples.