To take your security career to the next level, get certified through the International Foundation for Protection Officers, www.ifpo.org
By Chris Anderson of Silvertrac, a security guard management software
A no-call, no-show is never ideal in any industry, and being one employee short can poorly effect an entire shift. This is no different in the security guard industry where a single individual not showing up for work may leave an entire post unguarded, leading to liability issues and unhappy customers.
If this happens to you, here’s what to do to resolve the situation:
To take your security career to the next level, get certified through the IFPO!
Know When Guards Are on Their Posts
In the security industry, no-call, no-shows are a common occurrence, but managers aren't often aware their guards aren't there. This is why a high-quality tracking software allows managers to see if and when guards arrive at their posts in real-time. Not only will that help you know when an employee isn't there, but it also holds them accountable, which may be a deterrent to future issues.
Find an Available Guard
Using GPS and other advanced features from a guard management software system like Silvertrac, you’ll be informed right away if a guard won’t be at their post. Because of that critical information, you’ll be able to take action. You could call a guard who had indicated previous availability to cover the shift or pull a guard from a less important task to ensure your key posts are being taken care of. In any case, having detailed information at your fingertips can go a long way to help resolve the situation.
Communicate Policies
After the fact, you need to communicate to the employee who missed their shift the importance of sticking to the rules. Communicating expectations and enforcement will help staff members understand what's expected of them and know the consequences that may occur should they deviate from their schedules.
It's essential to teach new employees the rules and make sure they understand what's expected. As new guards are undergoing training, they should be paired up with reliable employees who understand the importance of showing up to work.
New hires should also be invited to ask questions about the company's accountability standards, policies, and procedures. The more informed they are, the less likely they are to develop bad habits down the road.
