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Sunday, April 13, 2014

A Letter To The Editor: Casino at Ocean Downs

I work as a security guard at the Casino at Ocean Downs making 9.10 an hour. Guaranteed 40 hrs a week. Here's the problems along with pay. 

To cut costs when the building was being built they put 3 residential ac/heating units on the roof. Now that doesn't sound so bad but it gets extremely hot in the summer and last week a person passed out and an ambulance was called. The inspector let it slide (must have been paid off) for no good inspector would have passed that due to building code. They need commercial units not residential. That place has more leaks when it rains they should change the name to Niagara Falls. 

My colleagues and I have been written up for some of the most stupidest things. For example, using a blue pen, signing your name wrong, and my personal favorite having a heart attack. That's right! One of my colleagues was having a heart attack at the front door and just because he didn't take the time to fill out early release papers he was written up. Just stupid. 

We don't get shift deferential pay, we don't get hot meals on our lunch. McDonalds is right down the road but we are prohibited from leaving the property. Other departments steal food all the time out of the fridges upstairs. As a security guard you'd think we would have some authority. Truth be told a toddler has more authority then we do. 

Everything has to go through a manager. If we have to get someone out for various reasons usually drunken and disorderly we have to get a manager. If someone is breaking the dress code get a manager. I've worked there for over a year and it isn't getting better. I've heard so many complaints from the customers themselves and I get a manager and they just brush it under the rug. Nothing is documented about these complaints. Nothing is said to higher management about these complaints. They try to paint a pretty picture of themselves on wboc and other media outlets when everybody knows its a crock of crap. 

They make us all sign a confidentiality waiver before we're hired. It isn't worth the paper it's printed on. Everybody talks there are no secrets that won't be revealed. The only reason they can't afford to pay us anything is the owner is a penny pinching bastard. 

Like I said before I've been there a year and I've watched 20 guards leave. Only about 5 or 6 of those were terminated. The rest put in there 2 weeks and left. 

Honestly I'm looking for better employment. I wrote you because I was fed up of everything. If I get fired for this then oh well someone had to speak up. The only way to change it is for the public to see that place for what it truly is.

31 comments:

  1. quit ur b*tchin. grow up. if u dont like it leave. otherwise, get back to work

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    Replies
    1. Work is hard to find in this area. You obviously are not from here.

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  2. Quit crying and look for new employment! Take your lunch with you or work thru it! We have become a VICTIM society!

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    Replies
    1. It's hard to bring lunch with you when it's being stolen from the break room. Work is hard to find. I know that because multiple people I worked with had trouble finding something else. I'm lucky I had no problem at all.

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  3. Get another job and stop bitching. You should get used to working for other people. Doesn't sound like you could lead anyone else. I've been there multiple times I. The summer and the temp has always been fine. Lose some weight and it won't feel so hot.

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    Replies
    1. Get your facts straight and don't be a jerk. You obviously know nothing. I was there working way longer and made more than him/her after a year. That place is terrible.

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  4. That's the great thing about this country; you don't HAVE to work for anybody. Stop bitching and take your career in your own hands.

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  5. Everything this guy says is true, yet you people put him down for speaking up. Now that is what is wrong with this country right now, Freedom of Speech, remember, that's one of our rights, yet you people put him down for speaking up. And, in case you haven't noticed, it is not that easy to go and find employment elsewhere anymore. And since when do any of you have the right to tell anyone else to lose weight and maybe it wouldn't be so hot. Maybe, just maybe, that is not the problem, but I bet those residential units could be most of the problem.

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  6. Here's the problem I have. The tax breaks the casino are getting and they continue to get better for them every few years while the state agrees to take smaller revenues. MD General Assembly votes to cut even more taxes for them, take less revenue all the while raising taxes and implementing more fees on the middle class.

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  7. there's a difference between free speech and whining! No one wants to hear the latter!

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  8. It's for the children.

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  9. There are some really ignorant people out there, I feel for this guy no one should have to work under these conditions. Getting wrote up because you have a heart attack, people what is wrong with you where is your compassion? You are exactly what is wrong with this country. It's not that easy to find a job else where, it's a wonder more people haven't had a heart attack working there, Stress kills! I have only been there a few times and really don't want to go back there.

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  10. IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO KNOW HOW MANY OF YOU THAT CRITICIZE OTHERS EVER HAD TO WORK SOMEWHERE YOU WERE VERY UNHAPPY BECAUSE OF CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND YOUR CONTROL. AT LEAST THIS GUY HAS TOUGHED IT OUT AND CONTINUES WORKING INSTEAD OF QUITTING AND TURNING TO THE SYSTEM. I AM QUITE SURE YOU WOULD HAVE VERY NASTY THINGS TO SAY THEN. AS A CUSTOMER OF OCEAN DOWNS I HAVE FOUND MANAGEMENT TO BE SO RUDE THAT I QUIT GOING THERE. THEY TURN INCREDIBLE PROFITS AND PAY DIRT WAGES TO THE HELP. PERHAPS IF ENOUGH OF THE EMPLOYEES SPEAK UP THERE CAN BE SOME CHANGE FOR THE BETTER. CAN'T YOU SEE HOW BEING QUIET AND LETTING THINGS GO IS RUINING OUR COUNTRY??? LOOK AT OUR GOVERNMENT!! BURY THE PROBLEMS, SAY NOTHING FOR FEAR OF RETRIBUTION, KEEP QUIET AND LET IT SLIDE. GIVE THE GUY A LITTLE CREDIT FOR HAVING THE GUTS TO SPEAK OUT. I HAVE NO IDEA WHO THIS PERSON IS BUT YOU PEOPLE CAN BE HEARTLESS... JUST REMEMBER WE COULD ALL BE ONE PAYCHECK AWAY FROM HAVING TO WORK FOR SOMEONE LIKE THIS. SHOW A LITTLE EMPATHY ONCE IN A WHILE.

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  11. For all of those who are criticizing this individual you are missing the point completely. I have been to Ocean Downs when the air show has the jump teams jump into the complex. When you inside to get a drink the temperature on the thermostat read 85. So for those of you who are telling this young man to find a new job you think about working in those conditions. They have to wear pants. The only thing they did for the workers was bring them a fan. Well what good is that going to do? As far as the man who was written up for having a heart attack I'd tell them to stick it up their a$$. The owner clearly doesn't care about his employees and it sounds like a high turn around. I've had friends go there to have dinner and they said that it would have been a lot better if it had not been so hot in there. The owner needs to realize that you can't run a business this way and expect it to be successful. He has to put some money back into the business or slowly but surely people will stop coming.

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  12. This is not someone that I would hire at my business. He/She is on the bottom rung of the ladder but seems to know how to run the business and is willing to air dirty laundry in public (if in fact it is true). This is the type of person that runs to a union and attempt to organize. No thanks!

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  13. When I go to Dover Downs I see security guards that have been there over 10 years and they speak when they recognize people. When I go to Ocean Downs I hardly ever see any of the same guards. Why is OD having more large parking lots built? Who ever is building the front entrance to the clubhouse may never complete the project. The front clubhouse entrance has been closed for months.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are adding parking to expand on the building. Something they planned a long time ago. I worked there for a while. They made me go out and physically count each parking space one by one so they would know exactly how many there were.

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  14. Ocean Downs is an arcade not a casino. The place is filled with ridiculous machines(lights a flashing) that people can't seem to throw their hard earned money into fast enough. Whatever. People are so stupid.

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  15. Believe they have had a union since the get-go. Union was on-site and recruiting when they had their big pre-opening job fair. If that is the case it's been a sweetheart deal from the get-go. Paying dues for ineffective representation.

    Not a badly written note. He's been there for a while, and if his (presumed) union won't go to bat, then don't see a problem sharing it with Joe.

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    Replies
    1. Part of the casino was unionized last year. Before that, no. Security is not included in the deal. They spent the majority of the time recruiting employees to get together to come to an agreement to get what they wanted. Which was very hard. I left before it went through.

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  16. sounds like he is mad he has no authority. he wants to boss people around without having to get a manager.

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  17. Yep. I know where this guy is coming from. He might be a whistle blower that we should listen to. Maybe a state representative should look into these allegations?

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  18. THANK YOU! I'm so happy to see that someone has spoken up about this! I worked at the Casino in security for just short of two years. The place is so crooked and backwards, you would not believe it. Pay was terrible and the health insurance is completely un-affordable. After working there, I have seen it all. Some days, we were told to allow patrons who have urinated themselves to come into the casino, as long as it was not too bad. I have seen other people defecate themselves in the chairs, masturbate for all to see, etc. The air in the casino was so terrible that everyone was constantly sick. In the entire time I worked there, I did not ONCE see the air ducts cleaned out. Water would pour from the ceiling and they would cover the machines in black garbage bags. The casino would be so hot in the summer people would be sweating. The air conditioning was constantly broken, and no one would fix it. One of the HR reps was extremely rude and backstabbing. I was told I was disliked because I was too happy. What do you expect when I work in a customer service type of position? The floors are only cleaned maybe once a year. The machines basically never. You have no idea how many germs are in that place. People were fired due to allegations that were false and never checked into, and useless employees were kept. There was almost ZERO chance of getting overtime, and everyone played favorites. Things were constantly breaking and not working. We would get in trouble for talking to customers for too long. I could go on for a WEEK. This was the easiest job I have ever had (as long as you talked to no one!), but also one of the most ridiculous. Their uniforms did not fit everyone properly. Some people would get sores and raw spots on their skin from the elastic waste bands we were forced to wear. OH! and not to forget, if you are a high roller, you can basically break any rule that you want to and would never have to worry about getting kicked out.. because they want the money! However, if you were just a regular person, if we don't like you, you're gone. Another favorite. The houses behind the casino.. they would allow maintenance workers to stay there while finishing projects around the casino. They are infested with rats, mice, and cockroaches. Nice way to treat your employees. The cashout machines are constantly broken. They were old and brought from a different casino. This casino is a "project," that will not receive new technology. Good Luck. Everyone hates that place.. workers and employees!!!

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  19. 12:48-- this is kind of funny you get one person to post a laundry list of complaints and you follow up with a protracted Union Mandate--

    find something else to do with your lives ..both of you --

    try Indeed . com there are hundreds of jobs there.. because employers have learned that using the Daily Times as a place to find potential employees is a joke..

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  20. Even if everything said is true, it's not like security personnel have master degrees or are required to pass an I.Q. test.

    I think you overrate yourselves. Your jobs were to prevent theft and injury, not to be building inspectors or OSHA wannabes.

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  21. @ 9:35 am and the majority of you idiots...

    WHAT IN THE does this have to do with his/her job title, education, IQ? This is about a disgusting, filthy, CHEAP owner and every single employee who condones this by letting it slide. Think about all that mold.

    You do NOT even want to know about your precious gems of a restaurant here in Salisbury. And those work conditions involve your FOOD.

    Question you're own intelligence.

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  22. Question you're own intelligence.

    April 13, 2014 at 6:06 PM

    It's YOUR, genius. It has everything to do with I.Q., which you appear to lack as well. If you were qualified for a more advanced career perhaps you could understand that. Maybe you could switch to housekeeping and actually do something about all the complaints you seem to have?

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  23. i was there during construction i know for a fact the issues with the heating and they where told about this but the engineer was a friend of the owner's who by the way flew in every friday in his helicopter to over see things......lol most of the unit on there roof have had there there fresh air intakes removed by there direction which by the way is in code violation for a public building.that job was the worse design i have ever seen in 20 + yrs of doing this type of work

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  24. No it really does not have a thing to do with his IQ at ALL. Who are you to assume he/she/I/anyone doesn't have a degree, or two? Are you that much of an idiot and so close minded to accept that those conditions are normal and everything is a-okay?? Even the health department can ignore boxes of moldy food, and then you guys get to stuff it in your face. Stay classy. I can't BELIEVE or understand how people can defend something like this. AND THIS GOES ON EVERYWHERE. Trash.

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  25. I worked at the casino as well, put in my two weeks and they fired me just before it was up because I had to call out sick again. Funny, Doctor said it was due to mold.. Haven't been sick since I left! You people know nothing so don't shame this individual until you've been through it, the place is a disgusting joke.

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