Zero Tolerance

I want to reinforce something I have made clear many times over the years: management has zero tolerance for anyone caught sleeping while on duty. This is especially an issue during the overnight hours between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM.

As supervisors, we are often not the ones engaging in this behavior—but that does not matter. The problem lies with those we supervise, and management holds us directly accountable for their actions. If an employee is found sleeping, management treats the supervisor as if they were the one caught.

That is the sick reality of how the Transit Authority is choosing to manage the workforce. Whether we agree with it or not is irrelevant—this is how they are enforcing discipline.

If you are tied up with work and someone under your supervision disappears to find a place to sleep, you will still be held responsible. You will take the hit.

It comes down to this: You or Them.

Do not allow the employees you supervise to put you in a position where you are facing discipline because of their poor decisions. Take whatever steps are necessary to prevent it from happening—even if that means requiring employees to report in every 30 minutes for check-ins.

Protect yourself and stay in control of your operation at all times.

Philip Valenti, President