Security Officer or Janitor?

[EMTGuard]

Browsing through the Classified Ads last Sunday I spotted this ad for a local rehabilitation hospital. It's not until you read about halfway through the job description that you realize that they don't want a security guard but more than likely a janitor they can put in a security uniform.

This position also requires the knowledge of how to use common housekeeping devices and floor maintiance equiptment.
Are you buffer certified? :eek:
Sad. Apply at your own risk.
http://img459.imageshack.us/img459/2034/securityjanitor5uc.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[N. A. Corbier]

Browsing through the Classified Ads last Sunday I spotted this ad for a local rahabilitation hospital. It's not until you read about halfway through the job description that you realize that they don't want a security guard but more than likely a janitor they can put in a security uniform.

Are you buffer certified? :eek:
Sad. Apply at your own risk.
http://img459.imageshack.us/img459/2034/securityjanitor5uc.jpg (http://imageshack.us/)

I've seen ARMED accounts where the company requires the employee to mop floors. Value Added Services. Since your not actually doing anything (prove a negative), we'll have you mop the floors and do other janitorial functions.

[EMTGuard]

Since your not actually doing anything (prove a negative),
Which is why I'm so picky about logging EVERYTHING into the log book. I've seen entire pages in logbooks where the only things written were -
6pm-6am EMT and SO Shift Change
6am-6pm EMT and SO Shift Change
6pm-6am EMT and SO Shift Change
and so on. One of the things I learned pulling guard duty in the Army and then as a Corrections Officer, if you don't log it then you didn't do it. That's why my average 12 hour Security shift will usually result in almost 2 pages of entries in the logbook.
In addition to the security log book I have to maintain at the main gate guard shack, I have a log book in the facility medical clinic. Anytime an EMT sees a plant employee for any medical complaint or injury it has to be noted along with the treatment/meds given by the on duty EMT. Anything from giving them a shot of Immodium for diarrhea to bandaging a cut is recorded in that log book.
The problem comes when EMT/SOs on other shifts keep their own supply of meds and bandages with them at the security desk. Instead of having to drive in the medical van into the plant and going to the clinic the EMT/SO can sit at the main gate with their shoes off watching TV or DVDs and the employees drive up on forklifts or plant bicycles and get asprin for headaches or get bandages for cuts from the EMT. The treatment is never recorded in the medical logbook and so the plant nurse has no record of anything on that employee when she shows up for work the next day. And without that activity being logged into the medical clinic logbook there's no justification for our being contracted and paid to do the job.
Then, of course, I come on shift and I have employees showing up at the guard shack with blood dripping and my questions are "What are you doing here and why didn't you call for me to meet you in the medical van where you were injured so I could treat you there and transport you to the clinic? Come on stupid, let's walk over to the van and I'll wrap that and run you back to the clinic." Or they show up at the fornt gate saying "Hey Q-Beam, you got anything for a bad headache?" "Yeah, sympathy. Get back on your bike and follow me in the van back to the clinic."
LOG EVERYTHING! JUSTIFY YOUR JOB. SHOW THEM YOU DON"T HAVE TIME TO BE A JANITOR!

[Mr. Security]

Browsing through the Classified Ads last Sunday I spotted this ad for a local rahabilitation hospital. It's not until you read about halfway through the job description that you realize that they don't want a security guard but more than likely a janitor they can put in a security uniform.

Are you buffer certified? :eek:
Sad. Apply at your own risk.
http://img459.imageshack.us/img459/2034/securityjanitor5uc.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Good grief!! Wait until the warm body companies get wind of the buffer duties. Now it will be "Diversified Security" or "Value Security." Their slogan: "We protect you from top to bottom" -- bottom meaning waxed floors! :D

[EMTGuard]

To Protect and to Scrub.
"Stop or I'll hit you with my toilet brush!" :eek:
"That's not pepper spray on my belt, it's Pledge." :p
:D

[Echos13]

Indeed I have been there. I had a part time job while in school for a private community full of richie richies. They had us delivering newspapers, packages and picking up thier bratty kids that broke down somewhere in town.

"Armed paperboys; not rain nor sleet nor dark of night will keep us from getting appointed crazy rounds" :rolleyes:

[N. A. Corbier]

Indeed I have been there. I had a part time job while in school for a private community full of richie richies. They had us delivering newspapers, packages and picking up thier bratty kids that broke down somewhere in town.

"Armed paperboys; not rain nor sleet nor dark of night will keep us from getting appointed crazy rounds" :rolleyes:

Usually, those things aren't in the job description, so they don't use the word security. If they did, you could be all like, "That's not in my job description," and when it comes down to it, the Department of Labor sides with you.

[ACP01]

EMTGuard, The next time someone comes up to your post to be bandaged remind them that if for whatever reason the wound/injury/pain is more than it seems at the moment, and is not PROPERLY logged and reported to the boss, that as far as the employer is concerned it didn't happen at work, thus they are not covered by Workman's Comp.

The ONLY time you should have to do cleaning chores is if it is at the post itself. Not that anyone would be a pig and leave their leftovers and trash laying around. :D

[hemi444]

I had an interview a few months ago and they told me that I would be doing some janitorial work. I kindly told them to go pound sand.

[Mr. Security]

To Protect and to Scrub..

Now that's a classic! I love it. :D

[Bill Warnock]

Nice touch!
Enjoy the day,
Bill

[Taser]

I've been fortunate enough to never have any of those enhanced duties.

[EMTGuard]

EMTGuard, The next time someone comes up to your post to be bandaged remind them that if for whatever reason the wound/injury/pain is more than it seems at the moment, and is not PROPERLY logged and reported to the boss, that as far as the employer is concerned it didn't happen at work, thus they are not covered by Workman's Comp.
[QUOTE] I already do that but thanks for the reminder.
[QUOTE]
The ONLY time you should have to do cleaning chores is if it is at the post itself. Not that anyone would be a pig and leave their leftovers and trash laying around. :D
We sweep and mop the building that houses our main gate guard shack, scale house, bathroom and tiny little kitchen. We take the trash out each night and make sure the day shift doen's have to clean up behind us. Who want's to work in a dump?

[Serpico]

I worked 3rd shift security in a retirement community. Aside from the extreme boredom, we were told to put flyers on all 556 doors and to collect the recycling from 5 floors.

[hemi444]

My current job that I am in has added light laundry duties onto my normal work wich sucks, but I dont mind it so much because it gets dead around here. for 26,000 a year an full complimentary benefits I really can't complain.

[Mr. Security]

My current job that I am in has added light laundry duties onto my normal work wich sucks, but I dont mind it so much because it gets dead around here. for 26,000 a year an full complimentary benefits I really can't complain.

I could adjust to that for 26 grand/year. :D

[hemi444]

I could adjust to that for 26 grand/year. :D

Right now its just temp until they get another housekeeper/utilities person on. Mostly you will see my entries on during the overnight hours because thats all I really do now.

[Bill Warnock]

Make the best of a "bad situation." Look for things out of the ordinary. You may discover fruits of a crime. Having done so, it is reported to local law enforcement. Then the challenge becomes, what more is out there that I don't know about. That is when the fun begins.
If you become really good at that, don't be surprised if you are selected for a supervisory role or, with a little schooling, made an instructor. And, if you are so inclined, accept an approach from local law enforcement.
Good security is the pursuit of trifles and subsequent study of the insignificant. Small things, bane of management, cause most security breaches.
Enjoy the day,
Bill

[FederalSecurity]

In my first security position in Texas, I worked for a contract Warm Body

Company that had assigned me to a post in a hotel. Aside from my standard

security duties, I was expected to deliver towels, folding beds, baby cribs,

blankets and sheets, pillows and pillow covers, luggage carts, coffee,

toothbrushes, and razors, among other things upon request. I was also

expected to assist the other hotel employees in setting up the banquet rooms

as well as assist maintenance employees with minor maintenance on windows

and doors. The worst "value added" duty that I had, however, was plunging

clogged toilets upon request. :mad: After several months of putting up with

clogged toilets, I simply started refusing to perform that "duty".

[HotelSecurity]

The worst "value added" duty that I had, however, was plunging
clogged toilets upon request. :mad: After several months of putting up with

clogged toilets, I simply started refusing to perform that "duty".

Did they keep you?

If you did this in my hotels you would be replaced. If everyone did it the Security would be replaced. They would have a Houseman/Bellman that takes security calls. In my 2 smaller hotels I swore I would never plung a blocked toilet. I would usually give the guests a key to a nearby room & let them use the toilet in that room until their's was fixed the next day. HOWEVER 1 night the hotel was full. A family called with young children & a blocked toilet. There was me & the Night Auditor in the hotel. I unblocked the toilet. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do.

As for delivering things. While doing so I have been able to see inside rooms & have prevent disturbances before they could happen. Getting my staff up on the floors delivering things helps keep them from sleeping in a sofa in the middle of the lobby. Personally I would not do this work. My downtown hotel has 24 hour a day Maintenance & a Houseman on my shift. But once in a while I will help out.

[N. A. Corbier]

Again, as I've said. While you're playing bellman, who's guarding the place? When the guard strays from the contractual mission by accepting these assignments, the client is provided with ample room to file a "negligent behavior" or whatever you'd like to call it claim against the guard and guard company because the contracted employee was negligent.

How was he negligent? He was performing non-scope duties instead of his primary duty, and whatever happened was preventable or observable if the guard had been performing his duties.

[HotelSecurity]

Again, as I've said. While you're playing bellman, who's guarding the place? When the guard strays from the contractual mission by accepting these assignments, the client is provided with ample room to file a "negligent behavior" or whatever you'd like to call it claim against the guard and guard company because the contracted employee was negligent.

How was he negligent? He was performing non-scope duties instead of his primary duty, and whatever happened was preventable or observable if the guard had been performing his duties.


Again I'm in a different situation. I'm in-house, not contract.

And there is no law saying that an hotel has to have security. As I've posted in other areas of this forum, many hotels are doing away with it & so far no one has been sued as far as I know. The Night Auditor can dial 9-1-1. The Houseman can investigate a situation before calling.

[FederalSecurity]

Yes, they did actually keep me because of the fact that I was good at

my duties as a security officer. I don't believe that all of the "added value"

services were in any sort of contract between the hotel and my Warm Body

Company, but we were still expected to perform these services just to keep

the hotel management happy.

[Knight Watch]

There is a factory around my area that has in house "security" that R &R trash bags, mop and wax floors, clean up break area, and other housekeping durties. But (at the time, early 90"s) they payed so good ($11.00 + bennis) that there was never an opening very long usualy by the time they advertised it was filled.

O yea they did do detex rounds. :rolleyes:

[HotelSecurity]

Yes, they did actually keep me because of the fact that I was good at

my duties as a security officer. I don't believe that all of the "added value"

services were in any sort of contract between the hotel and my Warm Body

Company, but we were still expected to perform these services just to keep

the hotel management happy.

The next logical question is: after you stopped doing these added duties, who did them?