I joined US Security Associates in early 2010 as an Armed Security Officer and recieved $10.50 per hour wages. I was working Full time and when ever they needed an additional Officer on duty until it became a habit. My position then changed when I was asked to go on permanent night shift which I enjoyed. Still the same pay rate. I also had to sign the Standing Operating Procedures for Officers on statinr employment with the company.
While going to night shift I joined the only team of Officers that worked as a team and were always on time and had little or no reports made against them. I my nearly two years I was never written up or spoken to for any disciplinery action.
I was asked on numerous occasions to train other new officers in Log book writing, radio procedure and general report writing. This I did not mind doing as I thought I was helping the company to keep their credibillity and work procedures above normal.
Our Chief then retired and we got a new Chief who wanted a meeting with all the staff to iron out any issues. I had, had a flashlight ($165.00) stolen by an officer unknown and money taken out of my luggage locker so I asked him about this. I also asked him about the habitual lateness of some officers reporting to work. Each issue fell on deaf ear as his reply was "I dont always follow the "Standing Operating Procedures" as each case needs to be taken on it's merit". Two days later one of my stole flashlights reappeared.
A new officer came onn site and I trained him, he then had an auto accident and was off duty for six weeks but able to attend courses that the new Chief wanted him to go to. He was then made a Captain with the position not being advertised just given to him. When I questioned this I was told I would get the next captaincy that came up. This never happened as another Officer was given it without it being advertised again. I approached the my Captain who went to the Chief and never got a reply except from the new Captain that I was acting childish by refusing to train anyone else.
I then recieved a death threat from a fellow Officer to which an Incident Report was filled out by us both and a Captain filled out an action report on what discipline was taken. I still was expected to work with this officer. I continued to do so but also approached the Companies EEO steps and was told there was nothing wrong. I then approached the HR Manager (Henry?) and was adviesd he would look into the situation. Nothing happened.
Well I had to have an operation on my knee and was off work for four weeks and was cleared to go back to work. The Chief came to me and stated that " He expected me to be 100% fit for work as there were no light duties at this site". I was cleared by the doctor so I was fit for work. A few months late an Officer had a seizure and was allowed to work for 6 six months at the Gatehouse not Armed and on light duties.
I was off sick so rang and spoke as per accepted procedure to an Officer who answered the phone. He should have logged the call and notified the Supervisor (Captain) who was on duty. I was not spoken to or disciplined for this matter. Two weeks later the same issue but my Daughter rang and advbised I was sick. No action taken. The week later I was sick again and put off duty with a Doctors note. I rang from the surgery and notified the Officer who ansered the phone. Still nothing said.
Next I rang the HR manager and spoke to him about my situation and he stated he would look into it. Next week I was not on the schedule so I rang and had to atten the Office. I was then advised by the Chief that as I had rung and not spoken to a Supervisor each of my calls were being treated "as a no call no sho"w therefore I was Terminated. I then was shown an alleged copy of the Standing operating procedures that stated " An Officer must call and speak to a supervisor or text them that they would not be turning up for duty"/ My copy in the Booklet I signed states" An officer must ring and speak to either the Supervisor or his designee". This later procedure had been the accepted way for the nearly two years that I was employed.
Later it came to be known that Mr Kelly Clark, Tavis Moore, Scott Furner and David Sirekis (the officer who made the death threat) were out in the car park talking about Captaincies and the Chief stated "that Aussie would never be made a Captain while he was Chief. The reason is he would recieved to many complaints about the accent".
I then applied for Social Security Benefits and was advised I would need an interview in the method of a Conference Call where each party can hear the other. Well I spoke to the lady and answered all the questions and tried to explain to her that I did everything as per Standing Operating Procedures, at no time did I ever hear the other party speak. I was refused benefits do to being Terminated fo "Misconduct" and it appears whenever I apply for employment that is the answer the new Employer gets when they are doing a Background check on me. I have written to the company and asked for copies of the reports made over the Death Threat, the action that was taken and also a copy of the article that I was Terminated under. To date I have recieved no reply.
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