Retainer

Few things of really serious import happen in the daily life of a security guard. When things do happen we are expected to act and act well and correctly.

In addition to our deterrence value, one way I sometimes think of this job is that we are 'on a retainer' of sorts; an ancient profession. We 'hang around' doing routine duties until we are needed for an emergency or to make an intelligent decision for the boss or firm(s). These emergencies are relatively infrequent.

I think of our salary as an annual retainer or livery.


When something happens all we have been paid is to compensate us for that one decision or action that will make all the difference to our client(s).

Therefore your $20,000.00--$40,000.00 per year is for those times you act well for your bosses in a serious situation ...it may happen once or 30 times per year but that is also why we are paid.

If you think of it like that it may make each day a bit easier to endure.

["retainer: Servant of a lord who owed loyalty in return for a payment, rather than the holding of land. Retainers formed the personal retinue of medieval lords, originally in a primarily military capacity but later in administrative and judicial roles, and they became increasingly important throughout the middle ages. Retainers were often identified by a uniform (livery and maintenance) and formal agreements were sometimes drawn up stating the exact nature of the obligations of both lord and retainer (see indentured retainer)." Source: http://encyclopedia.farlex.com/retainer]

See also mercenary.