Can you give some examples of interactions that you would prefer to happen, and what would initiate those interactions? I typically avoid interacting with security. When I was working retail, people would attempt to strike up a conversation to distract me while their accomplice was waiting to steal stuff. So I feel like if I walked over to them for no reason then they’d actually be more stressed out.
These interactions aren’t in a retail setting, and the company I work for has never sent me to a retail setting, thankfully. One of them involves sitting at the front of a building that has a bunch of businesses in it and the other one I am at the front desk of a data center. A lot of times when you work security you’re basically a receptionist that goes on hourly patrols.
I recently had a woman try to secretly film me because I was browsing Lemmy at work. I looked up almost immediately because I have peripheral vision and saw her doing so. She panicked and quickly shut the door she had opened a crack to spy on me. The fact that I looked up immediately when she was being weird proved I was being attentive. I’m only ever on my phone when there’s no one around.
Shortly after that they updated the site orders to say you can’t be on personal electronic devices. You’re expected to sit in an empty room for 7 out of the 8 hours of this shift and stare at the fuckin wall, apparently.
At the data center people will bang on the window if you don’t buzz them in within 5 seconds of them getting to the front door. I’ve politely asked them to give me some time to notice them before they scare the shit out of me by banging on the glass. It’s like being a fish in an aquarium. One guy didn’t even respond to my request, he just rolled his eyes then walked away, then called my company to complain. I am no longer allowed to ask people to stop hitting the glass.
All this shit is dehumanizing. It’s like they don’t really want humans to be security guards, they want robots and had to settle for me.
That does sound pretty hard to deal with. Hopefully a better opportunity will present itself to you sooner than later. Are you allowed to listen to music, audiobooks, podcasts or such, maybe with a single earbud? Some YTers like Technology Connections make videos that can be listened to without looking at the screen. VAS Aviation is another one.
When I’m out riding my bike (usually later, to beat the heat) there are a few commercial buildings I pass by that are under construction. And there are people sitting alone in vehicles all night keeping an eye on things (probably to prevent copper theft, homeless trashing it, etc). I’ve often wondered if they’re bored out of their minds and would appreciate conversation, but I’ve never stopped just in case it alarms them.
there are people sitting alone in vehicles all night keeping an eye on things (probably to prevent copper theft, homeless trashing it, etc). I’ve often wondered if they’re bored out of their minds and would appreciate conversation, but I’ve never stopped just in case it alarms them.
Can confirm, those jobs will slowly eat away at your soul. At first it’s easy money, but I noticed after a while my mental health was really going downhill. So glad I don’t do those kind of jobs any more, podcasts only help so much lol
Security is like this. I work unarmed security, and people will sometimes treat me like a sentient security camera. I am a person, I promise.
Sending hugs!
Can you give some examples of interactions that you would prefer to happen, and what would initiate those interactions? I typically avoid interacting with security. When I was working retail, people would attempt to strike up a conversation to distract me while their accomplice was waiting to steal stuff. So I feel like if I walked over to them for no reason then they’d actually be more stressed out.
These interactions aren’t in a retail setting, and the company I work for has never sent me to a retail setting, thankfully. One of them involves sitting at the front of a building that has a bunch of businesses in it and the other one I am at the front desk of a data center. A lot of times when you work security you’re basically a receptionist that goes on hourly patrols.
I recently had a woman try to secretly film me because I was browsing Lemmy at work. I looked up almost immediately because I have peripheral vision and saw her doing so. She panicked and quickly shut the door she had opened a crack to spy on me. The fact that I looked up immediately when she was being weird proved I was being attentive. I’m only ever on my phone when there’s no one around.
Shortly after that they updated the site orders to say you can’t be on personal electronic devices. You’re expected to sit in an empty room for 7 out of the 8 hours of this shift and stare at the fuckin wall, apparently.
At the data center people will bang on the window if you don’t buzz them in within 5 seconds of them getting to the front door. I’ve politely asked them to give me some time to notice them before they scare the shit out of me by banging on the glass. It’s like being a fish in an aquarium. One guy didn’t even respond to my request, he just rolled his eyes then walked away, then called my company to complain. I am no longer allowed to ask people to stop hitting the glass.
All this shit is dehumanizing. It’s like they don’t really want humans to be security guards, they want robots and had to settle for me.
Thanks for letting me rant a bit : )
I guess they’ll be waiting even longer for you to get the door then?
That does sound pretty hard to deal with. Hopefully a better opportunity will present itself to you sooner than later. Are you allowed to listen to music, audiobooks, podcasts or such, maybe with a single earbud? Some YTers like Technology Connections make videos that can be listened to without looking at the screen. VAS Aviation is another one.
When I’m out riding my bike (usually later, to beat the heat) there are a few commercial buildings I pass by that are under construction. And there are people sitting alone in vehicles all night keeping an eye on things (probably to prevent copper theft, homeless trashing it, etc). I’ve often wondered if they’re bored out of their minds and would appreciate conversation, but I’ve never stopped just in case it alarms them.
Can confirm, those jobs will slowly eat away at your soul. At first it’s easy money, but I noticed after a while my mental health was really going downhill. So glad I don’t do those kind of jobs any more, podcasts only help so much lol