People Request Our Thoughts Regarding Their "Am I The Jerk?" Stories

“I work as a security guard. My team and I have traditionally worn a typical ‘police style’ uniform when on duty. We recently had a new site manager who wanted to change our image and impose one of those concierge-style uniforms with a blazer and tie despite all of us objecting as it is uncomfortable, impractical and we all hate the way it looks.

The manager told us the uniform change was coming whether we liked it or not because the one thing he cares about more than anything is presenting the right image. So after we began wearing the new uniform, my team, at my instruction, began to deliberately make ourselves look as gross and slovenly as possible.

For example, we would spill food and drink on our uniforms on purpose and not wash them or iron them prior to starting a shift. One guy made a point of wearing his uniform when he went to the gym and worked out before coming on duty so the uniform was crumpled, drenched in sweat, and reeking.

We would drag our blazers through dirt and mud and wear shirts half untucked. When I needed to sneeze I would openly, and in front of clients, sneeze into the tie I was wearing and loudly blow my nose into it like it was a handkerchief. Also, at the end of every shift when writing up our reports, each of us would always litter the report with mentions of how bad the new uniform was and how it made the job more difficult.

Complaints about our appearances skyrocketed and the site manager held an emergency meeting where he screamed at us and called us selfish jerks, but we refused to be cooperative so he was eventually let go because he couldn’t manage us effectively. Before he left, he told me I was the biggest piece of work he ever met for being the ringleader of this whole thing.

So I ask, AITJ for my actions. I think no, but the fact that he was fired and has a family is the thing that makes me consider that maybe I am the jerk. AITJ?”

Another User Comments:

“Pretty unprofessional of you. YTJ.

You don’t make these decisions. He does.

If you have a problem with it, talk to your manager. If they don’t oblige, then that’s how it goes.

If you really, really have a problem with a decision being made, you can inform your manager that you want to have a discussion on a higher level with him and his manager.

Then you raise the concern.

You never just take matters into your own hands. It isn’t your job. You could have just tried to make it work. If it doesn’t then flag what hasn’t worked and find solutions with your manager.

I guess him getting fired is alright because he in his position could or should have realized that a change can lead to confusion and he should have been more aware of that.

Also, being a new site manager means you’ll have to deal with older employees who just generally hate you at the beginning and think they know best. So he should have introduced the change differently.

You on the other hand, I would fire immediately as well for insubordination and unprofessionalism.

You mishandled company property, didn’t file reports properly, abused your customers to complain, and ruined your company’s reputation.

For what? Because you didn’t like your little uniforms.

Your customers pay your salary. You should treat them with more respect. Maybe the uniform change was because your company needs to change its appearance because your competition is seen as more professional. Who knows?

And this was what your company tried out. And one single stupid employee decided to become a drama queen.

So unprofessional.

Edit: customers not only pay your salary. They pay EVERYONE’s salary. The guys in logistics, IT, and marketing. And you, having a customer-facing role, should be more aware of the impact you have on your company’s reputation and the effect this can have on everyone’s payroll.

It isn’t the customer’s problem if you don’t like what you’re wearing. Solve your problems internally.” agbrau

Another User Comments:

“Everyone sucks here, but you more than the manager though. I laughed at the fact that you saw the new style as a concierge type only when a shirt/blazer/tie is also seen used by bodyguards/secret services.

Coming from someone who worked security, looking like a cop isn’t always the best look and is dependent on where your contract is, airport security, for example, is a normal place to look like a cop but again new uniform wouldn’t be out of place, working front desk security in a fancy hotel?

Yeah, I would prefer a blazer and a tie to Paul Blart mall cop. Protesting in of itself about a uniform isn’t being a jerk, but purposefully soiling it before the start of shift and wearing it or wearing it at a gym, those are jerk moves. The manager should have looked more into how the uniform would affect morale and such but at the end of the day, your actions got him fired.” TheOGNekozilla

Another User Comments:

“YTJ.

Impractical? What are you guys exactly doing on a day-to-day basis that a blazer would be perceived as ‘impractical’?

I am a 911 dispatcher. I talk to a lot of you guys and a LOT of you like to present as if you are an actual police force.

To the extent that the people coming into direct contact with you guys have filed complaints because you all identify as if you’re part of the local police department. Just admit you like power. That’s the only reason you’d rather wear (I’m assuming) some sort of duty belt.

I know officers who have weighed themselves before duty belt/vest and after. It’s approximately 20+ extra pounds.

How is the extra weight of a duty belt more practical than a blazer when it sounds like you’re patrolling the premises, probably watching cameras, and handling ‘clients’? Like others have said- if the secret service and FBI can function with suits, what was stopping you all?

Ohh that’s right your egos. You could have handled this better. You make no mention of going through proper channels before declaring mutiny. The manager doesn’t sound like a ray of sunshine but I have a hard time relying solely on your take on him. If a uniform change is enough to make you tantrum, I would also assume you didn’t want to just find a new job because you know you’d never get away with whatever shenanigans you do here, elsewhere.

I’ve never spoken to one security guard that gets in the mix. They’ve all watched people’s cars get broken into or people get beat up while they call 911. And I don’t say that as a dig; that’s probably not what you’re trained to do.

But it’s another reason why you don’t need to look like a cop.

My brother did security in an office building. He preferred the blazer,he felt it made him more approachable to employees and visitors. They’d walk past actual officers to ask him questions and for help.

He also said in the event of a pew pew incident it would be easier for him to blend in and get around than being a walking target bc he was dressed like a cop. This is a guy who was in the military and did multiple tours in Iraq so he has experience being a target.

Get over yourself.” ThrillaTortilla