Guests KEPT Tripping the 3:00 AM Emergency Exit Alarm for Smoke Breaks—Then Night Audit Dropped a $1,200 Disturbance Assessment
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Most people would think night shifts at hotels are easier because there isn’t much work, but this story proves how untrue that is!
Find out what made things difficult for this hotel employee.
Just go to sleep! I’m begging you!
What’s with smokers and smoking at ungodly hours? I know it’s an addiction, and I genuinely feel bad for those struggling to quit, but they are definitely not the point in this rant, so let’s leave them be.
I work as a NA for a small hotel in my town, and I’ve observed this one too many times to let it slide.
She has her frustrations…
At my specific location (we’re a single business, not part of a chain), NAs are allowed to sleep – nap, in my case, as I’m a really light sleeper – if all of our workload is done.
Since I work a 12 hour shift and my job consists basically of preparing the next day’s arrivals and reviewing the day shift work, I get done with it fairly early, at around 1am, 2am tops.
Then, I usually take 30 minute naps throughout the shift until it’s time for me to go.
Basically, at my hotel, we don’t have one single smoking room. Like, at all.
That’s right…
In my country – as in most Eastern countries, I’d assume –, smoking in enclosed public spaces is strictly illegal, and, as we’re a legitimate business, we also enforce this rule.
Previously not so much, which is why people bothered us less; they would just ignore the warning about not smoking in the room and completely ignore us, we even had to buy a device to get rid of the smell.
Now they don’t ignore us as much, because management decided to actually do something about it for once and apply a $75ish (in a method that I like to call ‘freestyle converting’) fee to those who still do, which has caused the number of infractions to lower significantly.
That’s INSANE!
And I understand smoking is an addiction. Hell, I smoke some greens myself. But why do they have to come down to smoke at 3 in the morning? I’m honestly all about them doing whatever they want, but why so late – or rather, so early?
I just had a guest come down at around 1:30am to grab a smoke. Cool. I open the gate, let them out, leave it open for them, go back to the desk to complete my work.
They come back, beeline for the elevator and go to sleep. You might think that might be it. And yet. Then the second one comes down at 2am. Same process, except now I’m done and hoping they won’t be long so I can rest.
She was so exhausted!
They stop by the water filter, grab a cup of water, get back to their room. Then a third guest comes down, at 2:40ish, for the same reason.
Again, I understand that smoking is an addiction. Really, I do. Again, I’m also a smoker (though I only ever smoke at home with the windows closed so I can make sure I’m not bothering anyone at all).
I would never get up from a warm, soft, comfortable bed to go smoke outside. Like, ever. And even if I weren’t in bed – which is unlikely, all the ones who have come down the past few days are locals, so at least some of them must work regular hours –, I’d still not come all the way downstairs just for one or two cigarettes to call it a day.
She was super surprised at their dedication!
So this post is half frustration, half astonishment. If non-smokers had the same commitment in their daily lives as smokers have to smoking, I think no one would ever miss a deadline in their life again.
And, before anyone mentions it, yes, I know I’m not being paid to sleep – or even nap – at the job, but, when you’re done with all of your work for the day and have no option but to sit and watch CCTV – and very occasionally help guests –, it’s only natural you’ll get drowsy and even rest your eyelids every now and then.
I hope this post doesn’t offend anyone. It’s really not my intention, and I just needed somewhere to vent about this ongoing issue.
GEEZ! That sounds really annoying!
This staff member’s frustration is valid!
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Let’s find out what folks on Reddit think about this one.
This user knows some night stories are pretty wild!
This user knows napping wouldn’t work with them!
This user isn’t sure why the employees have to let people in and out every time!
If you enjoyed this story, check out this post about a bank employee who immediately resigns after being denied a bonus.
This user explains why people smoke and how the cravings work…
This user shares their father’s smoking pattern…
Somebody here sounds a bit too annoyed with chronic smokers!
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