By Mary Christidis, Manager, Operational Support Representatives
Each month the OSR team comes together in our employee lunchroom in both T1 and T3 to celebrate and recognize all who are celebrating a Birthday in that month.
By Neeru Panjwani, Human Resources
It is my pleasure to introduce and welcome new team members at ASP! Please welcome Kristine Lindekamp, Mollie Ahrens, Mariaha Shoring and Julie McCahon.
Kristine is our new Office Administrator at the Head Office here in Burlington! In addition to her certificate in Human Resources Management from Fanshawe, Kristine possess 2 years of experience as an administrator and she has dabbled in Recruitment as well. With her diverse experience in administration we know Kristine is a great addition to the team and will do an amazing job.
Mollie has joined the Burlington Head Office as Human Resources Administrator. She possesses a Postgraduate Certificate in Human Resources and holds the Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation. Working at an employment agency for a little over a year has given her experience in recruiting, but also other aspects of Human Resources such as: health and safety, and payroll. Mollie is looking to branch out to learn more about everything else human resources has to offer! We are looking forward to her addition to the team.
Team YYC is very excited to welcome their newest addition, Mariaha Shoring, who assumed the role as a Resource Planner and will be responsible for all scheduling needs. Mariaha graduated from College with a Diploma in Criminal Justice and has a keen interest in airport security. Prior to joining Mariaha Shoring ASP, she was employed with Paladin Security as a Scheduling Coordinator. Mariaha brings experience and a proven track record of success in Resource Planning in the Security industry, which will be instrumental in fulfilling the needs of her new role.
Julie is joining us as a Service Delivery Manager for the Residential / CIC division and will work from the Toronto Office. She has studied Law and Security Administration and had extensive experience working in Loss Prevention at regional and national level. With her unique background, Julie brings in diverse industry knowledge and experience which will bring in further advancement to the organization.
We are confident that with their rich experience and great professional attitude, they will contribute to the growth and success of ASP.
By Natasha Stephenson-Belle, Resource Planning Manager
Please join me in welcoming Seemal Khurshid to Resource Planning. In May 2019, Seemal joined our team and has been a wonderful new addition ever since.
Seemal has been focusing her scheduling efforts on our OSR division, but she is always there to help out in other divisions such as YYZ Security, & Residential/Commercial. You may have already spoken with Seemal, as she enjoys engaging and assisting our employees. She has a very strong team work ethic that radiates positively throughout our department. Welcome to the team, Seemal!
By Garinder Grewal, Service Delivery Manager - Aviation
I just wanted to express the appreciation of your door patrol’s Amolpreet Singh.
We received a crash bar alarm from one of the doors in the Gate 193 Extension (“Pier G”) that leads to the apron. We in SOC could see from the camera that the passenger was continuously pushing on the crash bar, almost opening the door.
Amolpreet (who at the time was working Terminal 1 Door Patrol) was able to get there in a timely manner and stop the issue before it escalated.
As we are well aware, the extension is a distance to get to, depending on where you are coming from.
Amolpreet’s help was greatly appreciated and I hope she is recognized for her continuous display of hard work.
By Sean Gallagher, Recruitment Manager
Josh was originally hired as a Security Supervisor and as a result of his exceptional performance, he was then given the opportunity to join the recruitment side of the residential division.
Josh has been a member of the Residential and Commercial Recruitment Team for 8 months now. He has played such an integral role in not only maintaining their ongoing success, but also applying innovative ways to ensure the team is continuing to be proficient and at par with recruitment industry standards. Moreover, Josh brings to the team a wealth of knowledge in areas of security and business which he obtained through studying Investigations – Pubic and Private at Sheridan College.
Recently, Josh set his eye on the Human Resources side of the business and is eager to gain experience in any way he can. Considering his outstanding leadership qualities, coupled with his proven desire for constant personal growth, I have no doubt that he will excel swiftly and become a contributing asset to the HR team. This is why we hire for the personality and train for the job; it provides opportunities for continuous growth in every employee. Josh, thank you for your endless support and envious drive to strive for success, we are excited to see what your future holds with our team.
Josh Holowatenko interviews a candidate
By Darren Scott, Resource Coordinator
I was in the grocery store and noticed long lines in the self-checkouts, while two cashier lanes were empty.
I took my groceries to one of the cashiers, a woman in her twenties, and asked her why she thought this was happening. After looking at the people in the self-checkout, she replied “They are young and don’t like talking face-to- face with strangers”. I laughed and thought to myself, what if we all forgot how to have a normal conversation?
Technology is important and we are more connected to the world than we have ever been. But while we remain connected digitally, we are less connected to the people in our everyday life. We’re having fewer conversations each day.
Why do I think this is a problem? We all need someone to talk to and it’s easy to become isolated, especially as a Security Guard stationed alone. A good conversation is live, with immediate comments and responses, which lead to real feelings. Real feelings connect us to reality, which stimulate our intuition and awareness. If we become conditioned to technology, we become one-dimensional. We become less deep as individuals and more shallow, predictable, anxious and irritable. By not having conversations, we are forgetting how to feel.
Some of us avoid conversations altogether because it requires too much attention, I know I do. We’re accustomed to being distracted and we forget to focus which leads to difficulties listening to others. We may not have time because we’re too busy at work, school or at home.
Social media thrive in these elements. Our digital devices give us a false sense of ego and by having fewer face-to-face conversations, we’re losing the source that validates our identity: our relationships with others. A conversation is an engagement with others that requires you to be present and mindful. The next time you are about to tap or send a text, change your mind and give that person a call.
By Paul Parkinson, Director, Finance
Thank you to all employees that are following our recommendations from the previous newsletter.
By checking your employee portal before the pay period ends, we have been able to reduce the number of adjustments required after payroll has been processed. Give yourselves a pat on the back!
In case you missed it from the last article, employees are advised to check their employee portal on InTime to ensure the proper worked hours are recorded. If there’s something different, please speak to your supervisor, manager or scheduling to get this updated. You can check your portal as often as you like.
Ny Paul Parkinson, Director, Finance
No matter what your intentions are, it can be difficult to avoid sitting.
We sit during morning and evening commutes, while attending meetings and sending emails, and at home to relax or socialize. But even if your job keeps you tied to a desk most of the day, it’s important to keep moving—a sedentary lifestyle has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, obesity, poor circulation, loss of muscle and hypertension and other health risks. Even worse, people who sit the majority of each day are at increased risk even if they exercise in the evening!
But that all sounds a little bleak. Let’s stay motivated by focusing on the positive. You’ll see huge health benefits when consistent activity is part of your daily routine!
- Exercise makes you less grouchy by releasing mood-enhancing endorphins into your bloodstream.
- You boost your energy level all day long by sending more oxygen and nutrients to your muscle tissues and enhancing your cardiovascular endurance.
- You sharpen your focus and improve your memory. Exercise sends more oxygen to your brain than sitting around. In turn, that oxygen boosts production of cells in the hippocampus, aiding your ability to retain information.
- Lose weight by simply adding steps or activity minutes to your day. Frequent short walks are a great complement to a balanced diet and high-intensity workouts, which can be more sporadic.
But that all sounds a little bleak. Let’s stay motivated by focusing on the positive. You’ll see huge health benefits when consistent activity is part of your daily routine! - Exercise reduces stress by increasing the amount of norepinephrine in your body, a chemical that helps moderate your brain’s response to stress and difficult situations. (It’s also a hard word to say three times fast.)
By Angus Wilson, Director of Aviation Services
To put it simply, a code of conduct lets everyone know how we are all expected to behave. There are several reasons why we have a code of conduct, including:
- It encourages ethical behavior.
- It makes your work environment a better place to work.
- There can be long-term success for employees and the business.
- Shows customers and other companies you have integrity.
What’s included in a code of conduct? There are several different areas that are addressed in ASP’s code of conduct. Some of the most common elements are:
- Integrity—Integrity is how you react in any ethical situations, especially when it involves a customer.
- Teamwork—Including teamwork in what you do enables you to act and interact within a group and support your fellow colleagues.
- Respect—Everyone who interacts with you deserves to be treated with respect.
- Innovation—You always want to be improving your customer experience.
- Client focus—Ensure you know how you expect your customers to be treated.
Our reputation is an asset that reflects personally on every employee. Therefore, each Manager, Supervisor and employee has an obligation to protect our reputation and must abide by the highest standards of honesty and integrity. Everyone is expected to know, understand, and adhere to Company practices to protect the best interests of the Company and individuals within it. We expect you to respect the rights and feelings of others and demonstrate personal integrity and professionalism.
In conducting our daily business and striving to meet our goals we must ensure that we abide by the following principles:
By Petra Nash, Executive Assistant
Social media networks are now a substantial part of every business in one way or another, and the benefits of using social media are great.
Social Media provides increased brand awareness. It is the most cost-effective digital method used to syndicate content and increase business visibility. When a company implements a social media strategy it ultimately increases the brand recognition.
Every post made on a social media platform opens up a world of new contacts you can connect with. Posting three times a week lets employees and clients learn more about your business. Whether it is available career opportunities, new initiatives, or a motivational quote, social media will allow you to get your message to your following in just minutes.
Unlike awkward phone calls or lengthy emails, social media can also be beneficial when it comes to customer service. In a business where customer service is a high priority, having social media as a platform to connect with employees and clients lets us resolve any questions more efficiently. This leaves the employee happy, which in turn allows for better customer service. Providing quick and responsive posts on social media can not only answer a question an employee was asking, but it can also help someone who is frustrated. A quick get-to-the- point answer may increase your customer service meter.
Employees and clients are always looking for new updates from the companies they follow. By providing consistent, concise and credible updates, our following will strengthen and expand. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for updates on employment opportunities, employee engagement, ASP activities etc.
