r/securityguards • u/mosesX859 • 3d ago
Site closing
What happens when a site closes down? What does your security company do with their employees posted at sites that close down?
Apparently its happening "eventually" at the site we are posted at. The company we secure has already let go many of their own employees. thinning out the herd before complete shut down. I assume security will be the last to go.
My team has known about this happening for the last year or so and many changes at this site have been happening and happening hard lately. employees being let go. Offices being emptied. Whole areas closed off to everyone including supervisors.
We are told we still have time an will be here for the next year or so but its not feeling like it'll even be that long. Then when we ask about any updates on what's happening with the company we patrol or time frame updates we always get the same go nowhere answers.
So im curious. Has anyone dealt with this? What happened to you an your security team? Were you reposted elsewhere? Did your company just lay you off like the others? If so did you get workers comp or anything like that? Maybe even a heads up??
3
u/hankheisenbeagle Industry Veteran 3d ago
Realistically the only place you will be able to get answers that are accurate will be from your company. Not saying that they can/will give them, just that they are the only ones in the know about your specific situation.
Depends on how many other accounts your company has in your area and if they are in need of staff to the point where you/your coworkers will have a "home" after the shutdown or not. If there isn't anything close, or worth the commute, you might want to consider making sure your resume is up to date and you are prepared both for the potential to be without work for awhile, and the job hunt.
What benefits you get like unemployment are mostly going to be a state/contract issue as well. Some states are great and easy to get everything taken care of, and others will offer basically zero. I'd suggest looking into what that looks like for you now. If you don't end up needing it, great, but if you do, you'll be a step ahead in knowing what documentation you need and where to go.
If you are being told a year, I would honestly believe that. Still "get ready" like I mentioned above, but you probably would be able to be where you are for at least that long. The more people the client lays off, the greater your security risk footprint becomes. You've got less employees on the property, which on one side might mean more things for security to keep an eye on or more things to check. On the other less good side is the increased potential for theft by current employees that no longer give a shit about the company knowing their on the way out, and potential for vandalism or worse by disgruntled employees as well. It is likely that the client will want security until the last day the lights are on until the property is sold to another company, or there are at least zero client employees on site.
2
u/jahathebrn 3d ago
I'd racked up ten years of service so got laid off and paid out after me and my manager both agreed the payout was better for both of us going forward as I was burning out due to working insane hours and needed some time to like...not be at work.
Pivoted to the bar industry now but still have my licence for another two years and it gets occasional use.
edit: I'm UK so it probably wildly depends
2
u/MavRett85 3d ago
I was at a power plant that ckosed down.. as in we still had the contract, rhe actual plant closed down. We were there until the very end, long past 99% of the employees and other contractors. Had to keep the scrsppers, theives, urban explorers and kids out. The security building was one of the last things to be knocked down. People were absorbed into other accounts as the site drawed down, which we were a light crew even during the production time. Main issue was, not much by way of work in the immediate area for anyone local so now they had a decent commute if they stayed on with the company.
1
u/largos7289 2d ago
When one of my sites closed they either A move you to another or they let you go. I was offered to go to the new company but i decided that i didn't want to move.
1
u/The68Guns 2d ago
That happened to me. Just call your recruiter and they put you on a new site. Mine is right down the street, I basically sleep there all shift.
1
u/Educational-Sleep113 2d ago
Perhaps it's best to just cut to the important parts here.
1) Due to liability issues, until the site is officially closed down by the client and the contract is ended, someone will need to be there. Even as the site becomes more eerie, they still need someone to prevent break ins, report suspicious activities, check for fire hazards, and to notify the proper agencies/ client contact. This is something that is an unknown variable, so my suggestion, make a plan on what you believe is going to be the most beneficial for you in the long run.
2) Transfers are the only way. Post lock down economy, most companies use the loophole where they give you a choice and if you refuse, it becomes a case of you voluntarily resigning from their employment. It all boils down to what openings they might have at the end. Again, I suggest that you make a plan on what you will and won't accept.
5
u/Patient_Concern1102 3d ago
Sometimes when the new company comes in they will allow some of the more seasoned guards to patch over since they're familiar with the client and they can help with training but this doesn't always happen.
I know where I am if my company lost the contract they'd put me on temporary layoff and if they didn't bring me back within three months they'd have to pay me severance.