gifts & ethics

[Alaska Security]

If someone offers me a gift I will be very suprised with my current position.

I'm just happy that all it takes is fresh coffee every morning to keep the mechanics happy and putting security rigs in the front of the line.

We recieve gifts from higher levels, but it's an equal distribution of gifts to all guards so it's no ethical issue there.

[jer6141]

We dont have a written policy on accepting gratuities.. If someone offered to compensate for me coming out to unlock there car or something, I'd always decline it. It didnt seem right to take money for doing something like that or finding they're wallet or purse full of money, then them wanting to offer you a "reward" for doing you're job. On the other hand we were allowed to accept free soda's and food from some of those esthablishments. Providing that they didnt have anyone employed who we busted before and might tamper with the food. Funny story.. I wrote a parking ticket to a manager of a resturaunt for parking in a fire lane.. I didnt know it was hers, but that wouldnt have stopped me from doing something about it. I went to put it on her windshield and the wiper came off in my hand, so I had to call the sgt and find out what to do about that. She went off and we had to call a wrecker on a sunday night to fix it, he gets there at like midnight, says there's no way i did it, it was already broken. The next day, she cuts off our guys and even the city police from free food, so the commanders get ticked and move me to 3rds for two weeks.. Never accepted any gratuity after that..

[CameraMan]

Common sense > logic.

[NRM_Oz]

Mr Security, I agree there should be no perfect solution in 99% of cases - decisions should be made on a case by case solution to ensure the best possible win - win solution. An eg, is it is Xmas and I had a major supplier send me 50 very nice diaries which have been distributed to my crew with th spares being left to be used by anyone else. I fired off an email to the CFO to advise him and give a value of $25.00 each (nominal) which ensured we had compliance with policies but that it had been reported. But I was also told my the previous RM who accepted lunches, holiday vouchers and rechargable maglites for Xmas gifts from past suppliers which is why the policies were put in place.

I am glad that those drive through banks are not apart of Australia - yet. We don't use cheques very much as they are far outdated and the ATM's are what keeps people moving and spending money.

[Mr. Security]

You are most definitely of the same mindset as I am. Too often rules are made hard and fast, because no one wants to be responsible for making a judgement call, in the event someone else fails to use good judgement.

Amen....

[integrator97]

Here's the problem I have with all or nothing policies/zero tolerance, whatever you call it:

They are often used to eliminate the need to use good judgment and thinking ability on a case by case basis. Humans love to make rules and laws instead of acting on principles that never change. Is the world a better place because of it? I don't think so. Although some laws and rules are necessary, they are implemented way too often as if people should be robots – preprogrammed to act a certain way.

I personally don't subscribe to the "one size fits all" policy. Although I will abide by any policy, I prefer to see a company use common sense and the qualities outlined above instead of just defaulting to generally accepted policies for the sake of convenience and efficiency.

You are most definitely of the same mindset as I am. Too often rules are made hard and fast, because no one wants to be responsible for making a judgement call, in the event someone else fails to use good judgement.

[Mr. Security]

Sticky Thread

Here's the problem I have with all or nothing policies/zero tolerance, whatever you call it:

They are often used to eliminate the need to use good judgment and thinking ability on a case by case basis. Humans love to make rules and laws instead of acting on principles that never change. Is the world a better place because of it? I don't think so. Although some laws and rules are necessary, they are implemented way too often as if people should be robots – preprogrammed to act a certain way.

I personally don't subscribe to the "one size fits all" policy. Although I will abide by any policy, I prefer to see a company use common sense and the qualities outlined above instead of just defaulting to generally accepted policies for the sake of convenience and efficiency.

[integrator97]

Is said beverage in a sealed container (ie: can of Coke) or an open cup (ie: hot coffee machine)? Actually I don't see how the coffee machine could give you two cups but theoretically let's say it could. The can of coke could be returned to whomever is in harge of the machine assuming such a person could be located, and returned to stock. It would be impossible to return the hot coffee to stock. So I would say that ethically the Coke should be returned. The coffee could be drank and the person responsible for the machine notified.

A guy that worked for me went through the drive thru at the bank. He pulled away and realized they geve him to much money. So he pulled around again, and told them they made a mistake, this isn't right. Before he could explain, they were saying "sorry, once you pull away we can't do anything". So he left. By the time he got home they were calling his house.

[Andy Taylor]

Not so much about gifts, but ethics -

I go to the vending machine, insert my $, and push the button for my desired beverage. Nothing happens, so I push it again. Out come 2 of said beverages. Is it theft if I drink both? How should I proceed?

Is said beverage in a sealed container (ie: can of Coke) or an open cup (ie: hot coffee machine)? Actually I don't see how the coffee machine could give you two cups but theoretically let's say it could. The can of coke could be returned to whomever is in harge of the machine assuming such a person could be located, and returned to stock. It would be impossible to return the hot coffee to stock. So I would say that ethically the Coke should be returned. The coffee could be drank and the person responsible for the machine notified.

[officerchick]

New question

Not so much about gifts, but ethics -

I go to the vending machine, insert my $, and push the button for my desired beverage. Nothing happens, so I push it again. Out come 2 of said beverages. Is it theft if I drink both? How should I proceed?

[NRM_Oz]

I here you there and some of these people tip big !! When I was working as an investigator with a bank contract, a girl I worked with had been training for 6 months - 4 nights a week to be a dealer. They played thousands of games a week to ensure compliance training and the biggest shock was - NO TIPPING allowed.

[Andy Taylor]

Whenever I do something above and beyond that may make someone feel like they have to tip me, I just tell them to pay it forward. I don't except tips.

The unforturnate thing is, this doesn't fly here. If a tip is turned down, the employee will be written up for being rude to a customer. Many gamblers are superstitious and feel that they must tip. If they don't, or the tip is not accepted, then they will no longer have luck here, and will take their business elsewhere. This is a company wide policy. No exception for security. It is a battle I fought and lost many years ago.

[NRM_Oz]

It is common in the building industry for service providers to donate weekly beer to the site office. I had 1 company tell me my contract was safe for a regular beer donation via email (dumb move). I brought it to the attention of the client's account manager who was a regular drinker onsite after work and would split up the donations with his co-horts. They also had rorts with gardeners and cleaners coming to their homes every week and the renting of carpark spaces for daily visitors in nearby buildings. My contract lasted the minimum 3 months and I was pressured to comply but after a tip off to their legal department - the site team just vanished - allegedly terminated.

[Bill Warnock]

I've seen swimming pool, home alarm systems, additions to ahome, trips - including golf vacations. The people who were caught in these schemes were turned in by the Administrative Assistants.

Curt, or nosy Court Security surveyors.
Enjoy the day,
Bill

[Curtis Baillie]

I've seen a swimming pool, home alarm systems, additions to a home, trips - including golf vacations. The people who were caught in these schemes were turned in by their Administrative Assistants.