Night shifts usually go by quietly. But last week, during a routine post inspection at one of our apartment complex sites, I ran into Jessica—a guard working the overnight shift on her birthday.
Now, I was already aware of some tension from her previous assignment at a company site, where she’d had a disagreement with an employee’s relative. Management had moved her from that site shortly after. So I was prepared for a bit of an attitude—but what happened next was something else.
I pulled up in the golf cart and radioed her:
“Jessica, this is Supervisor. Just doing a quick check. How’s the post?”
A few moments later, I found her near the leasing office, arms crossed, looking less than thrilled.
“Supervisor,” she said flatly, “I’m here. Working. On my birthday, no less.”
I nodded. “I know it’s not the easiest shift to have on your birthday, but you didn’t call off, and you’re here—so that counts.”
She scoffed. “Yeah, well, doesn’t mean I’m happy about it. It’s just frustrating. I don’t get a break or even a heads-up. Just stuck here, same old routine.”
I kept it professional. “Jessica, scheduling is based on coverage needs. We try to be fair, but sometimes we all have to work holidays or birthdays.”
She shook her head. “It’s not just tonight. Ever since I got moved from that company site, it’s like nobody cares how I feel. You know what happened there. I wasn’t involved in that employee drama, but I got blamed anyway. Switched out overnight. No explanation.”
“I’m aware of the situation,” I said calmly. “You voiced your concerns then, and we made the change. I understand it was frustrating.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Yeah, well, it still stings. And now this—working my birthday shift with no recognition or support.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way. I offered to look into schedule adjustments for next week if you want.”
She waved me off. “No thanks. I’ll just tough it out. But don’t expect me to be chipper about it.”
I nodded and checked her scan points, making a mental note to follow up with her later.
At the end of the day, guards like Jessica show up when it counts—even if they’re grumbling under their breath. My job is to keep things running smoothly, even on birthday shifts nobody wants.
And sometimes, that means listening—whether the guard’s having their best day or their worst.
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