Am I being targetted?
Am I being targetted?
For context: I work security at a Golf/Ski resort. We are told to be "proactive" with noise complaints, and I was trained to give 3 strikes, Strike 1: friendly warning. Strike 2: More serious warning, followed with a noise complaints fee. Strike 3: Escort off the resort.
Back in February, I received a write-up for a customer complaint claiming I beat on his door, told him he was "being a dick," and that I told him to "Shut the fuck up " and that I told him I'd administer a noise complaints fee if he didn't quiet down after designated quiet hours. Apparently he was "so pissed off" he sat in the lobby for 2 hours to "avoid trouble"(on camera apparantly) and then left early due to my actions, and we had to refund his entire stay.
Here's the thing, though: he lied through his teeth because that never happened (at least the way we interacted. They never showed me this video of the guest in the lobby) .
Here's what actually transpired: The front desk called me, and said room 1017 was complaining about noise down the hall. As security, it's my job to handle that stuff. I asked his neighbor to quiet down, politely, and received no issues. However, the guest who complained was actually being much louder. I could hear him blaring music, his kids laughing and yelling, and a bunch of banging coming directly from his room. I was told by my boss to be "proactive" about noise complaints to prevent any complaints from happening and that I should get them under control beforehand. I was told that even if there were no complaints, if I heard noise like this, I was to issue a strike. So I did just that. I gently knocked on his door. He asked what the issue was and extended his hand to me (I shook it). I politely informed him of our noise policy; I didn't even issue him a strike. All I said was that it was after quiet hours, and then I kindly asked him to quiet down. I told him I didn't want to ruin his stay, and that while no complaints for him existed, I wanted to avoid any potential issues, and then I politely told him about our 3 strike process, and made it clear that he wasn't getting one, but that I would have to if he got a complaint later. He said, "Ok, ok, sir, I don't want any trouble. I'll make sure to quiet down." I smiled and said it was all good and that I wanted him to enjoy his stay. Then he closed his door, and I left. That was the extent of things.
So during the write up my boss told me they had no camera footage or witnesses to this event, but he "did some research" and apparently I brag about being aggressive to guests to other employees, and that the guest waiting in the lobby and leaving early was an "extreme reaction". He also told me, "we have NEVER done noise complaint fees."
He asked if I remembered that night. I crossed my arms and focused on his filing cabinet to think, and apparently, he "felt threatened" (???) by that, which he said was more proof I was lying and that I was "unusually aggressive." It devolved into an argument. I browsed the SoP book (security officer protocols) a few weeks later and it said, right there in the book we are told to follow, that we DO give out noise complaints fees, and I pointed that out to both my bosses and was told they'll "change it". It was, however, never changed and is still there to this day.
Fast forward, and I go from working 3 shifts a week to 2 to 1 to none for a whole month. I only recently started working again after asking if I was going to be scheduled. Plus, I specifically asked the day of the write-up if I could use my personal car to patrol. I was told yes. I've seen other officers do it, my managers do it, even the owner said it was OK. For 4 months, I was using my car with no issue. It's hard to miss, I'm in uniform, people know it's me driving, yet suddenly, tonight, my boss told me he "had no idea" I was using my car all this time, and that it "wasn't allowed". I told him even the owner said I could, and that all we needed were magnets to slap on our cars, which I called my manager for, and he mysteriously didn't remember the conversation. Am I being singled out here? I'm always the last to know of any changes as well.
A few things.
First, regarding the customer complaint, you're replaceable. The company brand is not. So they will never side with you on the matter. I'm not a lawyer and it sounds like you're part time which doesn't help your case, but I would still recommend documenting everything with timestamps and collecting any evidence you have, and going for a free consultation (best case scenario you get some free pay).
Second, people at work protect their friends. Based on your writing, I assume you're not friends with your boss. That's bad. I'm not the best at becoming friends with higher ups, but it is an important skill which would probably have mitigated this situation.
Third, if you want to keep this job, sit down with your boss and force an awkward conversation. Say you're sorry about the issues that have come up lately, and want to work with him/her to get you back on track. It doesn't matter who is right/wrong or who is after who, this is how adults settle things and move forward.
Actually, I am looking for another job. I've mentioned several times now I want full time, but instead, he hired a new guy and gave it to him. I do document everything now; even when I'm on mid shift and I don't have the security phone. I'm not sure if I want to be his friend, honestly. My manager and my mangers boss (think....Security director and Security manager. I answer to them both) are best friends. Not sure I'd have a horse in that race. Like, they literally hang out outside of work all the time. Sure, I can try forcing that conversation but to what end? They've made it clear their thoughts on me. Would it even be worth it?
It sounds like your manager is a liar, and has ulterior motives, so I would be cautious about trying to have an honest conversation with him. He's already used your basic demeanor against you before. Anything you said during this conversation would be subjected to the same scrutiny, and possibly used against you, instead of helping you. I'm sorry you have to deal with this. It sucks.
If they cut your hours to no shifts for a month, file for unemployment. In the US you can often get partial unemployment if you can show you're not being given hours at your job.
There's two main possibilities here, to answer your question:
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you're being phased out by management because somebody doesn't like you. This means you lost the workplace politics game. You'll be OK if this is the case, you're just not a good fit. If this is the case, none of possibility 2 applies because they're just looking for an excuse to axe you.
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you are coming across to people as scarier than you're intending. It's pretty common for people working security to be big, tall guys with a good amount of muscle. If that applies to you there's a decent chance you're just not seeing yourself the way other people see you. To you, you're normal, to them you're a big scary guy trying to be intimidating even if you just cross your arms and think for a second. If this is the case, you're gonna need to work on your social persona a bit more to come across as friendly as you intend to.
Unfortunately, you're not going to find out which is the case until you're working somewhere else. Whether the people at this place are fucking with you or not, you gotta find a different employer.
I've worked security before, a rehab; I had no issues with anyone. I was required to help people and be friendly to them; they were at their lowest point in their lives. I was a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear, and a corner of encouragement to those folks. As a result, I have a unique demeanor for a security officer. I highly doubt #2 is the case. I mean sure, anythings possible, I guess?
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Since you're working at a place for rich people, there are likely people there who are above the rules. Those types are typically pretty petty and vindictive. You probably had to enforce policy against one of them and they complained and said they want you fired. It doesn't matter that you were following the rules, those types don't have rules enforced against them and anyone who does so will be punished. You will never be given the real reason. The person who complained will be all nice and smiles to your face, and then go behind your back and get you fired.
That's pure speculation and might not have any basis in reality, but I encountered something similar working in a swanky place before.
Whatever the cause, file unemployment for the month they didn't schedule you, and find a new job ASAP. It's miserable working where there are rules, and then unspoken rules for certain people who have more money.
Yeah, you're right. I didn't think about filing unemployment. I'll give it a look. In my opinion, they gave me a job to do, I did it, and since it cost them money, I'm suddenly "in the wrong".
Hard to say for sure without knowing how other people in your role are being treated, maybe they're getting the same double speak, but I would absolutely recommend getting everything on the record, either written or video (if legal in your jurisdiction), going forward.
I'm definitely doing that, rest assured.