Boss Level Entrance

I work in an office building with a large lobby but only one official entrance through a revolving door. During the morning rush, this door becomes a bottleneck, and there’s sometimes a line to get into the building.

There are actually three revolving doors into the lobby, with one reserved as exit only, and the other always locked up. They locked it up during the COVID lockdown, but never bothered to reopen it because the security guys don’t want to patrol both doors. They like sitting at the desk near the concierge and moving as little as possible.

As I’m an impatient guy, I will sometimes scan my office building ID on the emergency exit side door, which is automatic, and bypass the queue entirely. 

I’ve done this many times, as have many others, as it’s not a security risk (still gotta go through security no matter which door you use) and it helps relieve the bottleneck at the main door.

One time, I’m doing this, and a new security guard shouts at me.

Security: “Hey! You can’t do that! It’s a security risk!”

Me: “Regardless of coming through the revolving door or this door, we still need to pass the security scanners and scan our passes, right?”

Security: “Well, yeah, but that’s an emergency door.”

Me: “Okay, so I can’t use it because it’s not an emergency?”

Security: “Yes.”

Me: “But it’s not a security risk?”

Security: “Look, just don’t use that door unless it’s an emergency, okay?!”

Me: “Okay, fine.”

As it happens, the next day I’m walking into the building at the same time as the CEO of my company. We’re chatting, and we get to the entrance to the building, and the line is long.

The CEO starts to make his way to the side entrance, and I tell him about my encounter with security yesterday.

CEO: “Well, we have places to be, so…”

He taps his card and enters the lobby. I follow. The security guard from yesterday pounces on us:

Security: “You again! I told you yesterday not to use this door! I’m going to report you to building management!”

CEO: “Please do. Please tell them that I’m [Owner of company that rents 4 floors] of the tower and the current building entry process is not fit for purpose.”

Security: “I… uh… look, I just enforce the rules I’m told.”

CEO: “I’m sure. Please tell them that I’ll be complaining about security not doing what they can to allow easy access into the building, and I will take this into consideration when the time comes to extend the lease to the building at the end of the year.”

Security: “I’ll… uh…”

CEO: “…Report us to building management. Yes. As I said, please do.”

After that, my CEO and I go through security and continue our day.

The next morning, both revolving doors are open, an extra security guy has been stationed, and there’s no long line to get into the building. 

Amazing what happens when it’s the CEOs that get inconvenienced.