Doing admin work while on security duty

Any

Yes, I partly agree with SandC, but act as a receptionist when you pick up the phone while you still keep an eye on the camera is an easy task.
However I feel that the moment he starts looking at paperwork or write stuff down he takes his eyes off the camera..
What IF anything happens? And he doesn't see it? Can he be blamed for it?

I agree that in current climate we might need to do extra work to keep our jobs, but I am not sure this company have thought this through...

B.Inky

Thank you. I checked his contract and there are two relevant clauses. One is that he may be required to do other work from time to time, and gives examples (ie 'such as...'), which are jobs that he expects to do from time to time and are connected with the main part of his job.

The other clause is that 'this is not an exhaustive list' and he may be required to do other tasks as security man. Reading it, to me the implication is that there may be other security tasks that they haven't put in the contract, that he is expected to do. But maybe they worded it vaguely enough to cover other things as well?

And from the legal side to the practical side- refusing to do it won't look good at all. Maybe it won't be too much work, and maybe it will be a good way to negotiate a higher salary. He's very reliable (never had a day off sick and regularly goes in at very short notice when others phone in sick) and they won't want to lose him- but on the other hand he wants to keep on their good side too! He tries to be seen as being flexible, so that when other issues come up (such as not giving him enough holiday/ knowing when he is going to be working) he feels as though he can ask for what is reasonable knowing that he is being fair to them too. It's a difficult one. I would be incredibly bored too with the job, but on the other hand he would essentially be doing 2 jobs at the same time, for one low wage.

SandC

Any wrote: »

Yes, I partly agree with SandC, but act as a receptionist when you pick up the phone while you still keep an eye on the camera is an easy task.
However I feel that the moment he starts looking at paperwork or write stuff down he takes his eyes off the camera..
What IF anything happens? And he doesn't see it? Can he be blamed for it?

I agree that in current climate we might need to do extra work to keep our jobs, but I am not sure this company have thought this through...

Reception, not switchboard, they are receiving visitors and deliveries and getting said visitors to where they should be etc.

Does he honestly never let his eyes stray from the screens in a whole shift? Having other stuff to do would in all liklihood lessen the chance of him drifting off into a daydream because of the boredom. I'm not insinuating anything there, by the way!

B.Inky

It’s at an empty factory, so he doesn’t have to look at the screen all of the time as it alerts him when there is a movement. He can easily sit there with half an eye on the screen doing something else (I think anyone would go mad staring at a screen for 9 hours!) I think probably the main annoyance for him is that he’s had to battle to get what he’s entitled to (contract, holiday etc) and although everything is sorted now (apart from a few rota issues), it doesn’t necessarily breed good will. I suppose it’s a question of where to draw the line. He tries to be flexible and reliable and he wouldn’t be doing any more hours obviously- it’s just where do you draw the line between being a cooperative and flexible employee and asking too much? I guess it’s up to him to negotiate if they want to bring in new terms. They will be saving an awful lot of money by getting him to do this, so maybe there would be a little room for negotiation.

SandC

Totally B Inky. I've given so much over the years only to get nothing in return whilst watching the lazy !!!!!!s sitting there working to rule just sailing through life. But I can't bring myself to be any different with any employer, I am always thinking that this time at some point my flexibility and loyalty will be rewarded. Actually, this time I think it will..........

See, can't help but be positive!

So I know where he is coming from. I think I could have negotiated some things in the early days that I would now get nowhere with due to the current climate but that's life I suppose.

I have, however, learnt to say no and mean it. And, actually, whilst it's really hard to do (for me anyway!) you do tend to get respect for doing so.

If I were him I would take this on but pay careful attention to any other work creeping in or perhaps agree to this on the basis that next pay rise his extra contribution will be given consideration. I guess having already had to fight for stuff, saying no is probably a better option for him if he does feel pushed.