I have a situation at my work place... What should I do?

[Zebix]

I may be a few days late on the advice (and thusly several dollars short), but I understand where you're coming from all too well. I'm also a Security Guard (not at a hotel though).

First of all, I'd have to ask if this entire thing is worth it. Things like legal action would not only effect you, but effect the company as well. I think you said you're a contracted security guard (I assume from some sort of company), so it wouldn't be all that great if you won a civil suit only to find that one side of the company pulled the contract. Not only that, but there might be some sort of problem from the company's higher ups.

I'm not sure about you but self defense for me is something to the tune of :the amount of force required to gain control over the situation. Which is basically stating what Princemercury and others have said, you don't get brownie points for having to pick up his body because he "poked you" (and infact, he could turn the suit around on you).

Since you've told your bosses already (and time has passed) it may not be prudent now, but next time things happen write a report about it. Document names, places, times, and witnesses to the event (maybe even have them write a statement of facts) and go from there. That way you have a paper trail to present to both your company and his company.

All-in-all, food for thought. I know things that would fly where I work probably wouldn't fly where you work so I tried to generalize things (probably didn't do it too well though). Good job on keeping your head level though. Just consider this as further "training."

 

[alanon]

Yes the guy was wrong. Yes the guy was a huge dick. I give you major props for the way you handled the actual confrontation. However, you really should have picked up the glass. I know it's not in your official job description, but it was the human thing to do. How long does it take to grab a broom and sweep up some glass? It may prevent some small kid from slicing up his feet. There's really too much indifference flying around in the world that gets caught in the 'it's not my job' net.

 

[Princemercury]

Yeah... getting poked twice in the shoulder is nothing compared to if someone injured themselves.

I think the worst that may come out of this is hard feelings and a a small discussion between the upper levels. I doubt it'll reach legal counseling.

 

[Zebix]

Well, actually. Cleaning up the glass yourself is a rather large liability (believe it or not... and if you don't probably prudent to stop reading).

Where I work, spills are a common occurance. However, if *I* were to clean up a spill and someone still got hurt than it auto-defaults to my fault. We're required to have the janitors clean it up since they know the "correct" way to do it, and to release the liabilities from us or the company. I still have to stand there and make sure nobody steps in it, etc while its being cleaned and make sure its dry enough for people to walk on it but ultimately the responsibility would fall on the janitor's company in the case that someone hurts themselves afterwards.

 

[Desan]

Well they said they would talk to him Monday (8/11), but I haven't heard anything back from them. I think I am going to work for this company until the end of October. I am hoping to have a job w/ the state government by then. I have been growing my hair out for Halloween for about 8 months now. If I get another job in the security field they would probably make me cut it.

 

[Excalibur]

Yes the guy was wrong. Yes the guy was a huge dick. I give you major props for the way you handled the actual confrontation. However, you really should have picked up the glass. I know it's not in your official job description, but it was the human thing to do. How long does it take to grab a broom and sweep up some glass? It may prevent some small kid from slicing up his feet. There's really too much indifference flying around in the world that gets caught in the 'it's not my job' net.

Sorry but jobs are hard enough as it is, I sure as shit don't see a reason to be doin everyone else's while I'm doin mine.

Funny related picture:

 

[Princemercury]

Sorry but jobs are hard enough as it is, I sure as shit don't see a reason to be doin everyone else's while I'm doin mine.

Funny related picture:
(stupid picture)

Sorry but your statement reminds me of just how pathetic most people are these days.

 

[Tok]

Sorry but your statement reminds me of just how pathetic most people are these days.

as pathetic as people are, zebix has a point, if you where to pick up the glass and missed some and someone stepped in it and their foot got infected or wahtever, you would be held responsible because you cleaned it up, the "not my job" line is most of the times used to cover your own ass, if a janitor cleaned it up and someone got hurt it would be their fault. of course i know its not all the same in every situation though

 

[Strid]

I realize I'm a bit late in joining this thread but something recently happened at my workplace, not to me though, and I felt the need to lend another opinion.

I think cleanin' up the bottle is more of a personal thing. Personally, if I were in your shoes, I would have cleaned it up. However, that's not an issue, imo, just a person by person thing. Certainly not something to fight about.

The hotel manager was out of line but I wouldn't press charges on him. You made him sound like an idiot, had he maybe been drinking? I can't imagine someone in his position being so retarded, but it happens I'm sure. I wouldn't press charges, that would be a waste of money, for you, most likely. Shoulder pokin' hardly counts for assault. I think what you did was the right thing to do but I wouldn't let it happen again. Being pushed around is not fun and if he was sober, he was just lookin' for someone to overpower because his "peen" was down. If anything comes from it and he starts on you again I'd look him dead in the eyes and as stern as you can let him know if he has a problem with your actions to take it up with your boss and it wouldn't hurt to mention how unprofessional he's acting. Just make sure you're bein' professional in return.

Had you gotten in a fight with him, verbally or physically, you most likely would have ended up lookin' for a new job. If your on good terms with your "real" boss I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize it. If word gets around someone from your company was fightin' the people who hired them and causin' trouble, no matter if you're in the right, it then becomes a huge problem for your company. Even if they fire you it wouldn't help them out a bit. You'd just be erasing all the good you've done for your entire time of working under your company.

The big thing here is to remember this, don't be an idiot and at the same time don't let someone take your pride. You don't have to fight to keep your pride, you just have to be "bigger", so-to-speak.