Non Warm Body Security In Ottawa?

[Cactus]

Hey guys, I am pretty new to security and all but I think the company I work for is just a warm body company. I was wondering if anyone knew of any companies in Ottawa who take security more seriously. Recently I have been spending 12 hours a day sitting in a small room doing nothing... sadly those are my post orders. I am not to patrol, not to talk to anyone (even the other guard) and not supposed to read or keep myself amused in any way. Every site I have been to there has been little to no notice of what I am to do, most sites dont even have post orders.

Any help?

[CorpSec]

Get a new job as soon as possible! Not even allowed to talk to your partner during a 12 hours shift? That is bad. There are plenty of very good security positions out there. Do not settle for what you have now.

I did a little looking around on line and I see that Securitas is hiring in Ottawa. They are a huge company and would likely be able to provide you with several options as far as types of posts. Do not confuse observe and report security with warm body security. There are many very interesting and important security positions where the orders are of the observe and report variety.

Security is far too big of an industry and life is far too short to stay in a position like you describe. Be professional, when you find a new job, give the required notice and do not burn any bridges.

[HotelSecurity]

House of Commons. Senate. Chateau Laurier.

The company I work for owns the Terrasse de la Chaudiere across the river in Gatineau including it's Holiday Inn but unfortunately at the hotel we have an overnight Bellboy who does Observe & Report type of security only.

[NRM_Oz]

I would jump ship into another company where you can learn the industry better and I know from experience filling in for new staff that some of these posts are just accidents waiting to happen. This 1 client decided to use the security crew as glorified reception staff who were expected to do the work of a receptionisht when we were security officers protecting a high risk building. At 1 post you stared out a window or looked at 16 non-operational CCTV screens whilst the other post could do as they pleased for 2 hours and enjoy the benefits of having no1 watching over your shoulder. I was so glad they hired new staff as after those 4 weeks I was going stir crazy.

[bpdblue]

I guess if the building was burning down you could not be in trouble for not letting others know about it.

You know, the great thing about a STUPID rule is that it translates into all other languages as a STUPID rule.

[Cactus]

They recently told me im allowed to bring a book. I'm taking the opportunity to learn French, as jobs just slightly over the border can pay up to $7 more per hour!

I was told to look into working for Minto, they do houses. Anyone here work for them? They build houses but have a unionized security force. I think that alone is drawing me towards them, as a union would up my wages, give me benefits and hopefully weed out the useless warmbody employees.

I recently found the patrol guard on site sleeping in the trailer. I reported him to dispatch because if something DID happen, who the hell is looking out for me? They said to wake him up, they haven't even talked to him. There is another guard on site who brings a 13" tv in and watches that all night instead of doing patrols. LOL are there people like this in every company?

I came into this industry with a strong work ethic and pride for what I do, but find myself surrounded with people who could and should just be replaced with monkeys.

[HotelSecurity]

[QUOTE=Cactus;44560]They recently told me im allowed to bring a book. I'm taking the opportunity to learn French, as jobs just slightly over the border can pay up to $7 more per hour!

./QUOTE]

Did you go to school in Ottawa? Isn't French part of the school system? (I'm not being a smart a*s I just assumed both of Canada's Offical Languages would be taught in Canada's capital).

I believe most Quebec Security "Agents" are paid $12.50/hour as per the government decree. (Plus 30 cents an hour if they do first aid, another 30 if they respond to fire alarms etc). What is the going rate in Ontario?

[bigshotceo]

Be careful with Minto. I've heard a rumour (fairly reliable, but still a rumour and not information) that with the new act governing in-house security Minto isn't willing to pay for the extra costs and is going to contract their security out. Granted, if you're making minimum wage right now and hate your job you don't really have anything to lose.

As for assuming union guards get good wages, I'd disagree. Problem is that since many young people are doing security work while they get their police applications in, they're often willing to work far less than they're actually worth. Also, with the constant threat of contracting out the unions are afraid to ask for higher wages.

As for the going rate for contract security in Ottawa, it's normally anywhere from $8 to $11, with most sites in the $9 to $10 range. The larger companies generally pay for the uniforms/equipment/training, the smaller ones don't.

[CorpSec]

In the U.S. unions couldn't care less about keeping warm bodies out. In fact, in the U.S. unions protect warm bodies and make it very difficult to fire them.

Learning French would be a great idea and a very good use of down time at the post. So, in addition to making fantastic salad dressing, the French also pay better?

[HotelSecurity]

Learning French would be a great idea and a very good use of down time at the post. So, in addition to making fantastic salad dressing, the French also pay better?

Ottawa is across the river from Gatineau. Ottawa is in Ontario which operates mainly in English (although the Ottawa area is pretty bilingual). Gatineau is in Quebec. The "offical" language of Quebec is French. Quebec pays better than Ontario. here endth the lesson

[CorpSec]

Ottawa is across the river from Gatineau. Ottawa is in Ontario which operates mainly in English (although the Ottawa area is pretty bilingual). Gatineau is in Quebec. The "offical" language of Quebec is French. Quebec pays better than Ontario. here endth the lesson

I have never taken the time to really learn about Canada and I probably should. I will say that it is the only place outside of the U.S. that I would visit since I have no desire to travel great distances and no desire to go to Mexico.

[Cactus]

Did you go to school in Ottawa? Isn't French part of the school system? (I'm not being a smart a*s I just assumed both of Canada's Offical Languages would be taught in Canada's capital).

I believe most Quebec Security "Agents" are paid $12.50/hour as per the government decree. (Plus 30 cents an hour if they do first aid, another 30 if they respond to fire alarms etc). What is the going rate in Ontario?

Yes sir, I did go to school in Ottawa, however it is only manditory to take French up to grade 9, after that it is up to the student to pursue it. When I was in school I had no interest in learning French as I found mastering other languages too hard. However now I realize that working in Ottawa, one should know french as the bilingual guys will blow you off with a I don't speak English. Some even have the balls to say it in perfect english. LOL, worse yet (had this happen right outside Quebec) I had a guy say "I don't speak english." then I said, really because you just told me you can't speak english.... in english. he responded (no joke) i only know how to say that phrase and this phrase in english. I responded with a "ok, well you need to stay off of private property. he then 'tabernaqued me' and as far as I remember thats some form of curse word. I laughed about that for a while.

[Eric]

While reading your initial comments, I thought maybe you were in the Detention Center on Innes Road.

French has become more than just an asset for Government jobs, the school boards do offer full French Immersion and less intensive programs.

Rona, Home Depot, Canadian Tire, Shoppers Drug Mart use their own inhouse Loss Prevention. Gilmore in Kanata is looking. Try Monster.ca & Workoplous.com a few times a week, even Carleton University. Various Police and the Military are looking. The RCMP only require either English or French.
Ottawa University is totally bilingual and require staff to be.

BIGSHOT CEO, other than 80/year for registration, a clothing change and some different markings on the cars, I do not see a big cost for InHouse with the new Act.

Not all French are bad, not all English are bad, here is a postive true generalization -Ottawa is still a beautiful city and safe for tourists of any language skill.

[NRM_Oz]

I do speak the universal language though ............ MONEY. Go into any country and want to buy something and suddenly English Language skills come from out of the blue. As much as I like YankLand ......... I would love to venture up into Canada and just see some of the beautiful lakes and mountains.

[HotelSecurity]

I have never taken the time to really learn about Canada and I probably should. I will say that it is the only place outside of the U.S. that I would visit since I have no desire to travel great distances and no desire to go to Mexico.

And if you contact me before coming to Montreal I can usually get you the Friends & Family special rate at the hotel