security guard

agent de sécurité

security supervisor

security officer

site supervisor

Securitas

This company has been on the decline for years, and I'm glad that I'm with another security company now.

On a site of approximately 8-10 guards, Securitas screwed up at least one of our pays every single pay period. If you asked for your vacation pay, you'd have to fight to get it and would often be trying to get it for 2-3 pay cycles.

Because they had so many open sites when I worked for them for years, they'd call you ALL THE TIME about trying to work. I was quite literally drunk at an outing at a restaurant once when they called me and they still wanted me to work, because saying "no" usually wasn't an option with some of the people they had working the scheduling over the years. Fortunately if you'd say no enough, they'd just stop asking you altogether to ever fill in anywhere.

Management is good and I really liked our regional manager, but the rest of the office seemed inept with hours not being communicated properly, people who had been with the company for years randomly not being paid at all (and then taking up to two weeks for them to "cut a cheque", why even bother if it takes two weeks?). 

Before I had a full time site, they worked me to the bone. I once had to work an 18 hour shift at an apartment building, and when the mobile supervisor picked me up to drive me home, he told me that I had to go work somewhere else for 8 hours because they had nobody else to do it. I told him I couldn't and that I needed sleep, but he said they had NOBODY else. I got dumped at the site and fell asleep accidentally for almost the entire shift because I was so tired. No amount of coffee was going to keep me up.

Speaking of mobile, they were also trying to charge their guards several years ago whenever you needed a ride to/from work. The company I work for now will go out of their way to drive you, free of charge, and is comparable to Securitas' size. It was such a dirty practice, and I decided during that period that I'd rather be late for work than being picked up and having money taken off by pay because a coworker drove me to work.

I also once got fired for taking my scheduled vacation. Paid for a vacation out of country and the scheduling guy at the office had assured me all along that taking my vacation would be no problem. The night came when I had to catch my plane and no relief came to let me go. I called mobile and they told me that if I left, then I'd be turning my uniform in when I got back. I left anyway, as any sane person would. Found out when I got back that there had been some mix-up, that I HAD been fired and someone had replaced me for a week, but the guy who hired me heard about it and somehow smoothed everything over before I had gotten back from vacation. Even though I was good to go back to work when I got back and everything was back to normal, it still left a really sour taste in my mouth.

All in all, pretty awful experience from me. Wages are really bad, and I wouldn't recommend working for this company if you live alone or an adult paying several bills a month. Great for university students or part time workers though, maybe?

This is a very difficult workplace. Two supervisors in particular are consistently unprofessional—they don’t use basic courtesy such as saying “please.” Instead of supporting staff, they often create unnecessary problems, even when you’re simply doing your job, such as responding to alarm calls during overtime.

Overtime shifts and extra hours are not distributed fairly. They’re typically offered only to a select group of employees, while others are often overlooked regardless of their reliability and performance. If you’re not in favor, you may not be treated equally.

Although this is a unionized workplace (United Steelworkers Local 9597), the union does not appear to offer effective support. Dues are deducted from every paycheck—often a significant amount—but workers receive limited assistance. Many employees feel there is a lack of proper advocacy. There’s also concern over deductions made for a charity, with limited transparency on how the funds are used.

There are no health benefits. When employees ask management about benefits, they’re told to ask the union. When the union is asked, they say to speak with the employer. It’s a constant back-and-forth, and no one takes responsibility. This gives the impression that employee well-being is not prioritized.

The pay remains at minimum wage, regardless of how long you’ve been working. There are no raises, no benefits, and no opportunity for advancement. There’s little appreciation for your efforts. When I asked about recognition for staying late, I was told, “You get paid for staying late.” That comment reflected how extra effort is perceived—without acknowledgment. In some cases, doing more results in criticism rather than support.

Morale is low. Many employees are looking for other jobs. Some are staying only until they complete their education, while others are juggling this job part-time alongside another role. Few see this as a long-term opportunity.

There is also a noticeable lack of diversity in leadership. While many front-line workers come from diverse backgrounds, leadership roles are not as representative. This imbalance can affect how supported some employees feel.

If you’re looking for a respectful, supportive, and fair workplace with room to grow, I recommend exploring other opportunities.

My gut feeling from day one was not good - they were taking over a contract from the security company I had started with and there was a lot of misinformation and straight up lies handed to us, both by the local branch office and the regional office.

When they took over my sites it became a daily fight to get things done the way they needed to be done. Need to get a guard's special clearance done? Forget going through the 'approved' steps because it would never get done - instead I had to work through my previous contacts with the client to push clearances through in a reasonable amount of time. Until the regional manager figured out what I was doing and threatened my job. Apparently I made them look back because I was getting stuff done that they weren't even attempting to do even though it was a necessary thing.

1.5 years after they took over, we still didn't have site orders for either site - we had the site orders from the old company but we were supposed to have a new set issued by the new company. To this day this still hasn't happened according to the person who took my former position

The final straw for me was when we had lost two employees and the remaining guards, myself included, were pulling insane amounts of overtime without any end in sight. Because I had managed to pull my team together to make sure the hours were covered we were not a priority in terms of getting two new guards their special clearances for the sites, and we were all approaching burn-out. I quit, gave two day's notice, and by the end of my last day, the regional manager miraculously appointed three new guards and got their clearances pushed through.

This same regional manager tried to force another guard to take my old position, and only stopped when said guard said he was going to quit.

Apparently things have changed at the regional office - the people I had to deal with, who clearly couldn't handle their responsibilities and didn't want to give anybody the power, are now gone. One was dismissed and the other was forced into a lower level position out of the regional office. So it might be a better company to work for now, but I'd recommend to new employees to check your paystubs to ensure you got paid correctly - they're famous for telling people that you aren't eligible for overtime because you didn't work at the same site, even though that is against provincial labour laws (if you work more than 40hrs/wk for the the company your are eligible for that o/t pay).

I've worked for several security companies around Canada and ti borrow a cliche it is what it is.  Overall I'd say this was one of the better ones I've worked for, there's at least a pretense to being professional or having checks and balances in place to avoid employee abuse.  While the aspirations on paper were high the implementation often lacked, but with a public company seeking profit corners often will get cut in the name of profit.  Still, better than most companies out there.  

I found the work itself enjoyable, if you aren't the type who's easily bored it can be a nice relaxing experience on many sites.  Management struggles to deal with the ever-changing flux and churn of employee turn-over, and random contracts.  This leads to enormous amounts of overtime.  So while pay might be very low at close to minimum wage, in line with the industry, the overtime ends up bumping you up to a very liveable wage.  I'm talking 16+ hours of overtime for 2 months straight, once or twice a year, with random overtime sprinkled throughout.  This isn't gruelling laborious work, you show up, do a few rounds, sit around, be presentable and professional, and when you're working OT hours you're getting $16+/hr for it  

The thing I would begrudge is that the company is unionised and the union is absolutely useless.  They'll take a small percentage of your paycheque and negotiate contracts which largely mirror federal and provincial workplace regulations, so effectively provide very little benefit, and in those cases where the benefit appears like something you'd like to avail yourself of, actually getting the company to recognize and adhere to the regulation is next to impossible, they ignore, and the union assuming you can get in touch with them, will dodge and evade and do absolutely nothing for you.  What's the use of a rule when it's not enforceable?  The union bosses enrich themselves at the expense of their minimum wage members, and are limpwristed when it comes to doing their job, which is protecting your rights under the union contract.

In terms of NL, this is the company to work for, you won't be lacking in hours, and will have a variety of sites to work at, just keep your expectations realistic and recognize it's a job, attitude is paramount.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The Company provided good basic training and additional training as the work sites required including OFA1 and AST1 , 2 and 3, and Medical Benefits.  They had a diverse client base which was an opportunity to expand skills and knowledge ranging from a variety of Retail, Commercial, Industrial and Technical  sites and properties.  

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Working on sites that required the ability to adapt to the environment when working outside (weather related } and inside equipment. alarms. spills etc.  There were many shift adjustments working nightshifts in remote sites and  driving to new locations early in the morning or late at night.   I was considered an essential worker in 2019 21 and it meant working with masks gloves etc and having our temperatures taken and the office sprayed in the heat of summer and smoke from fires in 2020 added to the already very busy work schedule and expectations including patrols and access control of the site.


What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The Company had a good culture for its employees in the office however there were many situations that changed daily,  the work was fast paced at times and varied according to the daily schedule and arrival of goods.  eg:  a power outage, or a door alarm,  a chemical test and alarm, a delay at the border or road related  snow or heavy rain  were just some of the reasons another was a constant change of working and training new guards at that time as well as additional requirements due to the pandemic.  

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
I drove the company car to secure and check the site including the building and access  areas. There were 4 patrols per shift.   I assisted another guard checking delivery and outgoing trucks verifying or denying access  through the gatehouse and recording or checking with the manifests.  I responded to alarms as needed and then maintained access countrol until I was relieved by another guard.

Company culture: A positive and inclusive company culture is crucial. Look for a company that values collaboration, open communication, and employee well-being. A supportive and engaging work environment can contribute significantly to your job satisfaction.
Opportunities for growth: A good company should provide opportunities for professional development and career advancement. This can include mentorship programs, training initiatives, or clear paths for progression within the organization. Look for a company that invests in its employees' growth and helps them achieve their career goals.
Work-life balance: A healthy work-life balance is important for your overall well-being. Find a company that promotes work-life balance through flexible working arrangements, reasonable working hours, and policies that support personal time off. A company that recognizes the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between work and personal life is often highly regarded by employees.
Compensation and benefits: While compensation is not the only factor to consider, it is important to evaluate whether a company offers competitive salaries and benefits packages. Consider factors such as healthcare coverage, retirement plans, vacation policies, and additional perks like wellness programs or employee discounts.
Company reputation and stability: Research the company's reputation in the industry and among its employees. Look for a company that has a strong track record, financial stability, and a positive public image. It's beneficial to work for a company that you can trust and that demonstrates long-term viability.
Employee feedback and reviews: Seek out employee reviews and feedback about the company. Websites like Glassdoor can provide insights into what current and former employees think about their experience working for a particular company. Pay attention to recurring themes or concerns raised in the reviews.

From having worked there for 6 years, I was asked numerous times to work a shift that overlapped with the current shift I was working when called.

They were also terrible with getting keys from clients to access the site during non-work hours. One particular example is when I was working over Christmas holidays, I ended up hitting my head really hard on a metal bar attached to a door (for use in locking the door) to the point where I had a headache, was dizzy, and my head was bleeding severely. I called the mobile supervisor to notify them, and when they arrived, instead of having the gate key, opening it, and coming in to check on me, they called me to come open the gate because they didn't have the key for it. Had I passed out from blood loss and they weren't able to get in, they could have been in serious trouble.

When I was in college, they were understanding and gave me shifts that worked with my schedule, but after finishing college, the following 2 years I repeatedly asked to be given full time shifts, with no reply, and finding out that despite having 4 years seniority under my belt, they were giving full time hours to newly hired guards while I was left with so few hours that I was living paycheque to paycheque.

After being laid off from there in October 2011 due to a "lack of site availability" when the one I was at was bought by a new owner, I probably could have fairly easily gone out and been hired by another company, but due to the bad taste Securitas left in my mouth, I've decided the profession isn't for me.

I work in the Peterborough District and I must say that this is one of the best jobs I have ever had. I have been with Securitas now for 3 years and will likely be doing this for more years to come.  I started out as part time but made it clear that I desired full time, and within a few months I was given all of the hours I could handle. The company places a high value on your dependability, integrity, availability, work ethic, and your attitude. Rate of pay depends on the contract at each individual site, it can be not much above minimum wage while other assignments can offer much more. Then there are some clients who like to pile as many extra duties on the guards as possible while still paying as low a wage as they can get away with. But in most cases the job is easy and low stress. If you prove yourself on the job, are willing to travel within reason,  and the company likes you, they are more than willing to offer you plenty of hours including some OT if you are willing to work it. The company is unionized with excellent benefits which begin immediately upon employment. My Scheduling Manager is excellent and will do all they can to accommodate you in regards to hours, time off, vacations, leave of absence, etc. If you are easily bored or cannot stay awake at night, this job is not for you, but otherwise I would highly recommend it to anyone. 

This came close to resembling a real industrial fire department once but since covid it’s been completely run into the ground. 
No more on the job certifications, relevant training or pay increase due to the company crying poverty - This is a multi national, multi billion dollar corporation contracted by one of the largest auto makers in the world. Not to mention critically short staffed for years so not sure where the money is going other than some big wigs’ wallet.  
In my time I saw about 7 base managers between here and woodstock so it’s impossible to build a good relationship with with management.
Company is in the client’s pocket and will side with them every time. Every shift I came in there was some new, short-sighted policy to address a trivial issue the “client”(one or two individuals) had, that ended up being changed by the shift.
12 hr rotating day/night shifts will take a toll on you, your personal life and your extra curriculars - not worth what you’re getting out of it.
A low wage and lousy hours were almost worthwhile back in the day when the training and experience opportunities were there but those things have long disappeared. Do not recommend at this point. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
I really enjoyed working here. Am leaving soon to go onto a new job, but this is definitely one of the better jobs I've had in years. Coworkers are great, management is usually pretty understanding and help you the best they can. Only downfalls I have  is that you sometimes have to double check your paystubs to make sure that you are being paid enough. Each site is different and like any team job, you'll have that one off erson you may not get along well with, but other than that, I feel the job was stable, paid well and gave lots of experience and opportunities to grow within the company. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Watching your paystubs. Sometimes you may get a supervisor that can be a bit overbearing and try to ask/convince you to work extra hours. Just say no if you don't eat to and if that isn't going anywhere, the site manager is usually the one to go to. They ARE unionized so that tends to help in these situations. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Each placement has its own vibe but usually is down to earth and chill, but aovery serious about doing the job and doing it right, as it should be.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Security guard 282 salaries reported	$20.66 per hour
Agent de sécurité 104 salaries reported	$23.98 per hour
Security supervisor 32 salaries reported	$28.57 per hour
Security officer 15 salaries reported	$23.10 per hour
Site supervisor 22 salaries reported	$24.12 per hour

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