Blog

A Day in the Life - Supervisor

May 27, 2021 | by Philip Gordon | A Day in the Life

I’m an early riser. I’m usually up at around 5.30am. I have some horses and they are my priority first thing in the morning. I get the two of them fed, watered and cleaned out and make sure that all is good with them. My Father always had horses when we were growing up, so I’ve always had a good interest in them.

I go back to the house, pack a bag and leave for work. I live just outside Armagh and I work in Dundalk. The commute takes a good forty-five minutes. I’ll usually listen to a podcast on the way in.

I don’t have breakfast until I get in. One of the great benefits of working where I work is the facilities they have. So when I get in, I go to the gym. I usually get there for around seven and have a work out for about forty-five minutes. I hit the shower, have my breakfast and then I start work.

You often don’t really know what’s going to happen from day to day. On site we have over one thousand people so every day brings new challenges. As well as security, we are the medical team so that can throw up a few surprises.

First thing I’ll do is catch up with the team from the night before. Once a week we have a meeting with the other offices across EMEA and we go through any changes that have been made across the group. It’s a great way of exchanging ideas. There are usually about fifteen on the call from Singapore, Australia and elsewhere. I’ll run through my emails, get schedules together and patrol the site catching up with the team and making sure everyone is happy.

As the supervisor, I have to look after a team of eight security officers and two receptionists. They are a great team and I like to make sure I keep in daily contact with them. Of course we have quarterly catch-ups like most companies but I’m always keen to show that they can come and talk to me whenever they want. That’s something that is very important at Provincial I think. It’s something that is cultivated from the top. In fact it’s one of the things I like most about the job here - that sense that everyone is approachable.

At lunchtime, I’ll usually have my big meal of the day in the canteen. I have some friends in different departments, so we usually catch up and chat about anything but work when possible.

The afternoon then is quite similar to the morning. A few weeks ago I implemented a fitness challenge for the team. I’m trying to get us all to finish two-hundred-and-fifty kilometres per week. It could be running, walking or cycling. We are reaching those targets on a weekly basis so far and it’s great. So I’ll often check up on how that’s going. Without putting pressure on them obviously but just to give them a second motivation if you like. They can crank up the distance in their free time or when they’re on patrol, in the car park for example. It’s a good team building exercise.

My shift lasts about eight-and-half hours give or take. On the way home, I’ll tune into Matt Cooper on Today FM and find out what’s going on in the world.

The minute I get back, I’ll get out to the horses and take one of them out for a ride. It’s a great way of getting your mind off things and winding down.

I come in then have a shower, have something light to eat and catch up with my wife. We are ten years married now. I don’t really look at television to be honest.

I’m an early riser so I’m usually early to bed. It’s ten o’clock for me most nights. I read before I nod off. I’m not into novels. I prefer autobiographies, sport or history books. I love to travel so I read up on the history of the places I’ve either been to or I’m going to. I travelled to Hong Kong, Vietnam & Singapore last September so I’m currently reading a biography on Ho Chi Minh.

Before I joined Provincial I worked in construction. When I switched it was initially a bit of a shell shock, but I have to say it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. The job security is a big factor, the routine and knowing where you have to be every day.

Another major plus is the training opportunities they make available to everyone, regardless of what level you are. They recently put me through the NEBOSH (National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health) course on health and safety management in the workplace. I got the qualification back in March. It means I have the opportunity to monitor and improve health & safety for all the staff, I can work on risk assessments and I have an input on all the events run on site. It’s another string to my bow if you like and every qualification means I can get more involved.

Above all though there’s that personal relationship they develop. They never forget you and they always listen to what you have to say. To me that’s very important.

Are you considering a career in Security? Contact our team today! 

Return to listing

Categories

For all enquiries please contact us here.