devteam, Author at ASP Security Services

By Andrew Catney, Resource Planning Manager

Kevin began his ASP journey in 2021 when he joined the Security Specialist team at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Following that, Kevin was assigned the role of Acting Operations Manager at Calgary Airport. Thereafter, Kevin joined the Resource Planning team in Burlington in December 2022.

Kevin Hepburn was just honored by the Respite Centre security team with the Peer Recognition Award for his outstanding contributions and dedication. This award is a testament to his hard work and the high regard in which his colleagues hold him.

Kevin’s peers unanimously selected him for this recognition due to his consistent commitment to excellence, his willlingness to go above and beyond to support the team, and his positive attitude that uplifts everyone around him. Kevin’s contributions have not only enhanced our productivity but have also created a more enjoyable work environment for all of us.

The Peer Recognition Award is a symbol of our collective appreciation for Kevin’s efforts and a token of our gratitude for his unwavering support.

We value Kevin’s presence on the team and look forward to witnessing his continued success and growth in the future.

Once again, congratulations to Kevin on this well- earned recognition. His contributions make a significant difference, and we are fortunate to have him as a part of our team.

By Shine Mathew, Service Delivery Coordinator

The RES/CIC division was honoured to present the Respite Employee Choice Award for 2023. The best employees in each category were selected by guards via survey. Congratulations to all our winners and a big thank you to the guards who participated in the survey.

Best Respite Rapid Response –
Saikrishna Penjarla — Best Respite Rapid Response – Saikrishna Penjarla

Best Respite Supervisor – Komaldeep Kaur
(Award distribution picture – Ops Manger Kat Szumacher, Komaldeep
Kaur, Dixon Hall Team lead – Praneeth De Silva)

Best Mobile Patrol Supervisor – Manish Munukuntla
(Award distribution picture – Ops Manger Kat Szumacher
and Manish Munukuntla)

By Debbie Ciccotelli, VP Strategic Initiatives

Offering outstanding customer service is ASP’s key differentiator and what enables us to not only retain existing clients, but also attract new clients. Our customers are the lifeblood of our business, so it’s crucial that they always feel valued, assisted, listened to, and confident when they interact with us.

Our reputation precedes us. The better our business reputation, the higher our existing customers will think of us and (perhaps just as importantly) the more other clients will want to work with us — both of which are incredibly important for retaining clients and growing our business.

In today’s competition-driven marketplace, our focus must be on our customers and each of you is crucial to achieving this goal.

Front-line employees are the face and brand ambassadors of both ASP and our clients – it is our employees who make sure the job gets done on time and above expectations. They interact with customers every day and each interaction reflect the value, culture and vision of the company.

Employees impact the business environment through the ways in which they interact with each other as well as how they respond to customers.

Sometimes, employees interact with each other in the presence of clients. If they are helping each other to meet customer needs, they are creating a positive image; if, however they are bickering or acting territorial on the floor, they are fostering a negative image of the company.

To deliver exceptional value and service, employees must be committed, motivated, and inspired to serve and support our clients and their customers.

Understanding how to become and maintain a customer- oriented mindset can help us establish a brand as an industry leader for quality and service.

It is important that every employee understands how valuable their role is in relation to customer service and client retention, which is of great importance to both the present and future of the company.

Simply put, motivated, and engaged employees create satisfied customers. When we commit to going above and beyond for our customers, three things will happen:

Here are some tips:

Always maintain a professional, polite, friendly, and helpful demeanor
Project a professional image and adhere to uniform policy and/or dress code
Make every effort to exceed client/customer expectations
Follow Post Orders and Standard Operating Procedures
Build rapport with customers which can help to anticipate their needs and preferences
Put yourself in the customer’s shoes – actively listen, empathize with each customer’s unique situation and needs
Smile, greet/welcome, maintain eye contact and assist
Communicate effectively – transmit clear and concise information – answer questions, address issues, describe services and provide direction or guidance
Pay close attention to your tone, volume, and manner of speaking
Pay attention to your body language – gestures, facial expressions and posture can make an impression e.g., if you stand by the entrance in a hunched position and a wrinkled brow, it may give the impression you are unalert or lazy. But if you are standing straight, with alertness in your eyes, politely smiling upon entrance, it would suggest that you are approachable and aware of your surroundings simultaneously. See the difference?
Be supportive of other team members
Resolve tension or issues and create positive solutions by using effective conflict resolution skills
They will become more loyal because they know that we care about their business
They will become champions for ASP within their organization
Most importantly, they will share their experience with their colleagues and friends

By Sarah Jessop, Human Resources Business Partner

It’s that time of the year when we come together to reflect on our collective journey and take a closer look at how we can make our workplace even better. We’re excited to share the results of our recent Employee Satisfaction Survey, which truly reflects the pulse of our organization. First and foremost, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who took the time to participate in the survey. Your input is invaluable, and your voices matter. This year, we achieved a significant milestone – our response rate increased by an impressive 12% compared to the previous year. This increase in participation demonstrates the strength of our commitment to continuous improvement. Now, let’s delve into the results.

Overall Satisfaction:

While the increased participation rate is a testament to our collective dedication to making ASP the best place to work, it is important to acknowledge that our overall happiness rating experienced a slight decrease of 2% from 2022.

As you can see from the infographic, our rating of 86% still surpassed ASP’s benchmark of 80%. However, we want to assure you that we are taking this decline seriously, and your leadership team is committed to addressing any concerns or issues that may have contributed to this decline. Your feedback is instrumental in guiding us on the path to improvement.

Recognition:

On a positive note, there was a slight increase in the number of employees who reported feeling recognized for their hard work and contributions. This is encouraging news, and it reaffirms our belief in the importance of acknowledging and appreciating the efforts of our dedicated team members. We are committed to building upon this foundation and ensuring that recognition remains a cornerstone of our culture.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI):

One of the highlights of this year’s survey results is the significant increase in employees feeling that ASP fosters an environment of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are thrilled to announce an 8% rise in this category. This demonstrates that our ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive workplace are making a positive impact. However, we understand that there is still work to be done to ensure that every member of our team feels fully supported and included.

Analyzing Team Results

In our commitment to continuous improvement, our leadership team is not only looking at the overall survey results, but also taking a deep dive into the data specific to their individual teams. This personalized approach allows our leaders to gain insights into the unique dynamics and challenges within their respective departments. By carefully analyzing the comments and ratings received, they are identifying key areas of focus that will help address concerns and amplify strengths. This hands-on approach ensures that we are not only making company- wide improvements but also tailoring our efforts to the specific needs and aspirations of each team. Your leaders are actively engaging in this process because they recognize that your feedback is instrumental in shaping the future of our organization. We believe that this targeted approach will lead to more meaningful and impactful changes, ultimately enhancing the work experience for everyone at ASP.

Your feedback serves as our compass, guiding us toward initiatives and improvements that will enhance our workplace experience. We are committed to engaging in open dialogues, implementing necessary changes, and fostering a culture where every voice is heard and valued. Once again, thank you for your active participation in the survey. Together, we will continue to make ASP a place where each and every one of us can thrive.

If you have any questions or would like to share additional feedback, please don’t hesitate to reach out to asphr@security-asp.com

By Madison Griffin, Human Resources Coordinator

Who We Are?

LifeSpeak is the leading platform for mental health and wellbeing, which offers whenever and wherever users need it specialized information and guidance on problems that affect their daily life.

What We Do?

LifeSpeak helps employees thrive so they can stay focused, healthy, and productive. For you to develop a stable, healthy mindset no matter what life throws at you, LifeSpeak has gathered its top mental health specialists to offer you useful resources, tactics, and tools.

Mobile

Access to all programming while also enabling users to download videos for offline viewing, stream podcasts, participate in live ‘Ask the Expert’ webchats and manage their account, right from their phone.

Computer

This web-based service offers anonymous access to hundreds of short videos. Our full range of formats includes videos, podcasts, tip sheets, quizzes, and more.

Tablet

LifeSpeak empowers people to take action before a life challenge or issue becomes critical. It’s a proactive approach to mental health and wellbeing. Download our app in the Appstore or GooglePlay.

asp.lifespeak.com

lifespeak

We offer our deepest condolences to the family of Michael Ferdinand and the Pickering Casino Resort community. He was tragically killed on Thanksgiving Day while on duty. We mourn his loss and pay tribute to him for protecting the community he served. As this is the worst possible scenario, this is a reminder of the risks we, as security professionals, protect against every day. We remind our security services family to remain vigilant and to report any public safety risks accordingly.

You can support Michael’s family via Go Fund Me:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-michael-mike-ferdinand

By Sean Gallagher, HR Recruitment Manager

This past year, we’ve seen the entire ASP organization worked very hard to onboard new teammates effectively and efficiently. We received over 90 referrals from current employees and 60 of those have qualified for a paid out so far. Remaining referral payouts are just waiting on the new employee, 3-month probation period to finish. In August 2022, the referral bonus was increased from $100 to $300 per referral! It doesn’t matter what position it is for; the referred employee just needs to complete their 90 days probation. We are consistently being asked questions about how to refer candidates and what we are looking for. Below is a break down for the questions:

1. How Do I Refer a Friend for a Position With ASP Incorporated?

There are a few different ways you can do this, the first is to give them the “refer a friend” cards that are with all recruiters and write your name on the back. The second, you can have them forward their resume to our two different recruitment e-mail addresses, Residential/ Commercial at: recruitment@security-asp.com or for Aviation airportrecruitment@security-asp.com just make sure they put your name on the e-mail or you can send their resume to us. The last one is if they visit our website www.security-asp.com they can click on “current opportunities” and apply for any position they feel they are qualified for and they can add your name under “How Did You Hear About This Position?”.

2. I Have Referred Someone, and They WereHired, When and How Do I Receive My Bonus?

Good question! If your referral was hired, they now must attend training and work with us for 90 days consecutively. As soon as they hit their 90 days, Sean Gallagher, the Recruitment Manager gets a notice and informs Accounting as to who is to be paid out. You would then receive the bonus on your next paystub.

3. My Referral Wasn’t Interviewed or Selected; Did I Do Something Wrong in the Process?

We have received hundreds of referrals over the last year or so which is amazing, but there were a good number that didn’t qualify for the positions they were interested in. Don’t get me wrong, we do offer other positions if we feel they are a fit for them but sometimes it doesn’t work out. I would suggest going off this rule of thumb:

Crossing Guard:

Outgoing personality!
Ability to travel throughout North York and/or Etobicoke
Availability for Monday-Friday 7am- 4pm weekly.

Access Control:

Customer service experience
Entry level security experience (valid Security license)
3-4 days of open availability
Ability to work consistently overnights preferred Specialists/Supervisors:

Specialists/Supervisors:

2-5 years of Tactical Security experience
Supervisory background/experience
Ability to work 12-hour shifts

We appreciate all referrals candidates brought forward by our employees, and we try our best to find a fit in our company that matches each level of experience. We encourage even those who aren’t selected to try again in 6 months, and we will definitely re-evaluate at that time. Simply have them re-apply and have them add your name again.

*NOTE: If you are looking for a Supervisor position because it is labeled as a NOC B job, Specialists and Mobile positions do have Supervisory tasks/duties involved so they would be categorized the same way*

By Sarah Jessop, HR Business Partner

At ASP, we value and recognize the diverse religious beliefs of our employees. The world’s rich diversity is reflected in the observances that are celebrated and recognized by our ASP employees. Knowledge of the following holidays and celebrations can enhance our workplace diversity and inclusion efforts. Throughout the months of October, November, and December, a variety of religious holidays, festivals, observances, and spiritual commemorations took place.

These events were celebrated and observed by many of us, so it is important that we recognize and respect each one of them.

We have compiled a list below of the many important religious events that took place throughout the last few months. We encourage you to review this list to learn more about some of the significant celebrations and observances that are meaningful to your colleagues and friends. Let’s celebrate diversity, together.

October 2022

October 4: Yom Kippur
A Jewish day of atonement to reflect on sins and seek forgiveness from God.

October 5: Dussehra
Dussehra means ‘the tenth’ and celebrates the triumph of Lord Ram over the demon Ravan who stole his wife Sita. The great Hindu epic poem, the Ramayana, is read and enacted. A big effigy of Ravan is burnt accompanied by fireworks. In Nepal it is called Dashain, and it is a major holiday.

October 9: Eid-Maulad-un-Nabi
Anniversary of the birth of Prophet Muhammad. Some Muslims mark this occasion by special prayers, whilst other Muslims may mark the occasion by dedicating more time to reading the Koran.

October 9 – 16: Sukkot
A day in the Jewish faith that remembers when the Jews journeyed to the desert on the way to the promised land.

October 13: Karva Chauth
A one-day fast kept by married Hindu women for the well-being and longevity of their husbands. The husbands feed the first bite to their wives only after they see the moon.

October 18: Birthday of the Bab
A day honoring the birthday of God’s messenger in the Baha’i faith.

October 19: Birth of Baha’u’llah
A day honoring the birthday of the prophet-founding of the Baha’i faith.

October 24: Diwali
A 5-day festival of light that combines several different festivals in honor of gods, goddesses, harvests, new year’s, etc. It is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains.

November 2022

November 1: Samhain
A festival in the Pagan and Wiccan religions that marks the end of the harvest season.

November 1: All Saints Day
Also known as Day of the Dead or Día de los Muertos, this day honors the saints who have attained heaven in the Christian faith.

November 4: Qudrat (13th Month)
The first day of the thirteenth Bahá’í month. The English translation of Quadrat (Arabic) is Power.

November 8: Birthday of Guru Nanak Ji
A day honoring the birth of the founder of Sikhism.

November 8: Lokashah Jayanti
This day commemorates the birth of a famous 15th century reformer, Lonka Saha, who opposed temple worship and use of images.

November 18: Day of Covenant
The eldest son and appointed successor of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, referred to this day as the ‘Centre of the Covenant’ which was established to safeguard the unity of the community.

November 22: Qawl (14th Month)
The first day of the fourteenth Bahá’í month. The English translation of Qawl (Arabic) is Speech.

November 24: Martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur
This day commemorates his martyrdom (1621-1675). He was the ninth of the Ten Sikh Gurus and executed in Delhi by the Mughal emperor.

He died for the Sikh faith and also for religious liberty.

November 27: First Sunday of Advent
The Christian church year begins with Advent (from the Latin adventus meaning ‘coming’ or ‘arrival’) which is also a time when Christians prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ.

November 30: Feast of St. Andrew
A day honoring the patron saint of Scotland, Greece, Russia, Ukraine, Barbados, and Romania in the Roman Catholic Church.

December 2022

December 6: St. Nicholas Day
He is the patron saint of Russia, who came from a town in Turkey. Being known as a protector of children, the tradition of leaving shoes out in the hopes of receiving treats is practiced in the Dutch, German and, Eastern European communities.

December 8: Feast of the Immaculate Conception
A feast day celebrated by Roman Catholics that celebrate Mary’s conception without original sin.

December 8: Bodhi Day
In Japanese Zen, Bodhi Day is called “Rohatsu” and is the observance of enlightenment of the historical Buddha. Zen monasteries observe this day with a meditation retreat lasting several days.

On the last night of Rohatsu sesshin, monks and students often sit in meditation until dawn, as the Buddha did 25 centuries ago.

December 11: Masá’il (15th Month)
The first day of the fifteenth Bahá’í month. The English translation of Masá’il (Arabic) is Questions.

December 18 – 26: Hanukkah
The 8-day celebration of the “Festival of Lights” that commemorates the recovery of Jerusalem and subsequent rededication of the Second Temple at the beginning of the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE.

December 21: Yule
A Pagan and Wiccan holiday that begins at sundown at the winter solstice.

December 25: Christmas
This day celebrates Jesus Christ’s birth over 2000 years ago. Customs include lighting candles, exchanging gifts, and using evergreen decorations to celebrate this day, the most widely observed Christian festival of the year. In most communities it is a family day.

December 26: Kwanzaa
A professor who wanted to encourage African Americans to celebrate their heritage started Kwanzaa’s in California in 1966. Kwanzaa means first fruit in Swahili and is a harvest festival.

Families exchange gifts and have African-style feasts. Seven-pronged candleholders are lit on each consecutive night for the seven principles: unity, self-determination, working together, sharing, purpose, creativity and faith. The celebration continues till January 1.

December 26: The Feast of St. Stephen
Also called Boxing Day, this day commemorates the life of a saint known for his service to the poor who became the first Christian martyr.

December 30: Sharaf (16th Month)
The first day of the sixteenth Bahá’í month. The English translation of Sharaf (Arabic) is Honour.

Do you feel we have missed anything? Let us know! Contact our Diversity and Inclusion committee at
inclusive@security-asp.com

By Sarah Jessop, HR Business Partner

On September 30, 2022, Canadian’s recognized the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a federal statutory holiday which was established to honour those who were impacted by Canada’s residential school system. The purpose of this day is to ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.

The Truth

As National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is all about honouring the truth, it is important to recognize the abhorrent residential school system that operated within Canada from 1831 – 1998. Throughout this time, 140 federally run residential schools were created for the sole purpose of indoctrinating indigenous children into a Euro-Christian way of life. This cultural genocide was put in place because the Canadian government wished to deny itself of its legal and financial obligations to Aboriginal people and gain control over their land and resources.

Under the leadership of Sir John. A. McDonald, Indigenous children were ripped away from their families to eliminate all ties to their culture. Upon arrival at the school, children were separated from their siblings and forced to strip out of their own clothing.

They were then made to wear westernized uniforms that were poor in quality and not at all suited to Canada’s weather conditions.

After joining the schools, extreme neglect and abuse became a part of everyday life for these children. They were prohibited from speaking their own languages, and they were physically punished, isolated and humiliated if they misunderstood staff directions. A lack of Supervision created situations where students became prey to abuse, and laborious chores took precedence over learning. Poorly built and maintained buildings contributed to the spread of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, and many innocent children died because of this blatant disregard for human life.

Reconciliation

By establishing the long overdue National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in 2021, our government took the first step in recognizing that this is an issue that all Canadians need to recognize and address. Reconciliation is the responsibility of every Canadian, and it is about establishing and maintaining a mutually respectful relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in this country. For us to support this mutually respectful relationship, we must be aware of our past, acknowledge the harm that has been inflicted, and make positive actions to change the future.

Wearing Orange

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is also known as Orange Shirt Day, an Indigenous-led day of commemoration which honours the children who survived residential schools and remembers those who did not. The orange shirt symbolizes the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations. The symbol directly relates to the story of Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation who was forced to remove her orange shirt on her first day at a residential school.

Many of our ASP employees took part in Orange Shirt Day as part of this commemoration. Below are the photos that you submitted to show your support. Thank you to all those who participated!

By Sarah Jessop, HR Business Partner

The results of the Engagement Matters – 2022 Employee Satisfaction Survey are in!

Thank You to Our Participants

Before we share the engagement survey results, we’d like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all ASP employees who participated this year. Your candid feedback will be the driving force behind our 2023 engagement initiatives as we continue to work on improving the employee experience at ASP.

The Results

The infographic provides a quick comparison between our 2021 and 2022 results. As you will see, we listened to your feedback from 2021 and executed change accordingly to improve feelings of engagement in areas such as overall happiness, recognition, and relationships with leadership.

What’s Next?

We recognize that we have room for improvement, and our survey respondents made some great suggestions in the comments on how we can create meaningful change in 2023. As we speak, the leadership team is meeting to create a 2023 action plan based on your responses. They are reviewing key findings and making both immediate and long-term plans based on the results. We hope that in 2023, the initiatives we implement continue to improve your experience as an employee at ASP. Once again, we would like to thank all those who took the time to complete the Engagement Matters – 2022 Employee Satisfaction Survey. Without your essential feedback, this endeavour would be meaningless.

Survey Response Winners

Congratulations to our participation incentive winners! To promote our survey, employees that responded were entered into a draw for their work group. The following individuals were randomly selected and won a $20 gift card:

**AUDREY ALLOTEY**
Customer Support Representative at Ottawa Airport

**JUZAN BROWN**
Security Guard, Toronto Pan Am

**NAVEEN CHANDRA JYOTHILINGAM**
Concierge

Not pictured winners:

Readeat Kerie – Respite Supervisor
Tajinder Sunner – Terminal Access Control
Shilpa Shilpa – Security Guard, Commercial Division
Gurmeet Garcha – Terminal Patrol at Calgary Airport

By Sarah Jessop, HR Business Partner

The following new hires have joined ASP since our last newsletter was published. Please join us in welcoming them to the ASP family!

Don Wall

Don Wall joined ASP on September 26, 2022, as our Operations Manager at Calgary Airport.

Don is an accomplished operations executive with over thirty years of core operations experience in the aviation industry. He started as a Customer Service Manager for Air Canada, which led him to the role of General Operations Manager of Air Canada in Calgary for ten years.

His performance got him appointed to Manager for Operational Excellence in Air Canada. He successfully designed, executed, and managed initiatives for cost savings and performance improvement using Lean and Six Sigma Methodologies.

Don’s recent position was at SkyCafe in Calgary as General Manager for Operations. He led a team of operations and duty managers overseeing the delivery and execution of SOPs while optimizing customer satisfaction.

Reporting directly to Garinder Grewal, Director of Aviation, Don is responsible for the management, supervision, training, and operations of YYC’s security team. He will ensure compliance with our contract requirements and government legislation. Don will be the primary operational point of contact with the client.

Katarzyna Szumacher

Our Residential and Commercial team had the pleasure of welcoming Kat Szumacher as an Operations Manager on October 11, 2022.

Based out of our North York office, Kat is responsible for managing our Respite operations as part of our Commercial division.

Kat is well-versed in the world of security, having previously worked at Logixx as a National Account Manager and at Allied Universal Security Services as a Security Director.

She is experienced in client management, team development, and handling complex operations. Kat is a wonderful addition to our team, and we have no doubt that she will succeed in her role as Operations Manager.

Fatema Pipalyawala

On October 10, 2022, Fatema Pipalyawala joined ASP’s Human Resources department as a Recruiter and is based in our North York office.

In her role, Fatema is responsible for employee sourcing, selection, community outreach, social media, and onboarding assistance for our residential and commercial division.

Prior to joining ASP, Fatema worked for Logixx Security as a Recruiter, where she was responsible for the full-cycle recruitment process. Additionally, Fatema holds a Master of Commerce in Business Administration, Management and Operations from the University of Mumbai.

We are delighted that Fatema chose to join our dynamic recruitment team here at ASP.