Managers need to be on guard for the very behaviors being displayed by these guards. When employees are reprimanded for inappropriate behavior and then demonstrate a lack of teamwork and cooperation as a result, all they are doing is engaging in another behavior that is worthy of a reprimand.
You should make one attempt to open the lines of communication with the guards. If they choose to remain silent, you should discuss the matter with management.
This situation not only highlights questionable action by the guards, but questionable inaction by management. When management learns about a situation in which employees are spending time on personal calls and activities, there is a need for more than disciplinary action. This is the precise kind of situation that calls for management to spend less time in meetings or behind a desk, and more time on the floors.
In discussing the situation with management, you can suggest that they come to your department and check out these guarded behaviors.
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