When two forces meet, as in a lock and key, the goal is clear—secure what’s valuable. This principle doesn’t just apply to physical assets but to human resources as well.
Understanding the Shadows Over Our Workforce
Exploitation in the security industry often means underpaid shifts circulated in informal WhatsApp groups, falsely classifying workers as self-employed to sidestep the benefits rightfully theirs, like holiday pay.
In the UK, labour exploitation in the security industry is an alarming issue that casts long shadows over our workforce. Too often, workers are misclassified as self-employed, stripping them of essential rights and benefits. Underpaid shifts circulated through informal networks, such as WhatsApp groups, and lack of proper employment status contribute to a system that undermines both individual welfare and industry standards.
As security contractors and buyers, you stand on the frontlines of this issue. Your choices can either reinforce exploitative practices or help dismantle them.
Reports say that the security industry is considered high-risk for exploitation and modern slavery. Workers may be subjected to poor working conditions, long hours without breaks, unpaid wages, physical and verbal abuse, and being forced to work in dangerous conditions.
This approach not only harms workers but also undercuts ethical businesses striving to uphold decent labour standards.
The Rights at Risk
Let’s talk about the rights that are often compromised under the guise of self-employment:
➡️ Right to Minimum Wage: Every worker deserves to be paid at least the minimum wage, yet this fundamental right is often bypassed.
➡️Holiday Pay: A legally mandated benefit that goes missing when workers are incorrectly labelled as self-employed.
➡️Sick Pay and Other Benefits: Essential for the wellbeing of workers, these are rights that should not be neglected.
These aren’t just perks; they are necessities that ensure a workforce remains robust, healthy, and motivated.
As employers and contractors, understanding these rights isn’t just about compliance—it’s about contributing to a culture that values and respects every individual’s contribution.
The Call for Ethical Hiring
If you are hiring, think of yourself as the gatekeeper of labour standards. Choose to pay at least the minimum charge rate and ensure proper employment benefits and set a standard.
Think of yourself as the gatekeeper of labour standards. Each decision you make can fortify the industry against exploitation or contribute to its persistence.
Extend your commitment to ethical hiring to scrutinising subcontractors who might not share these values. Safeguard the integrity of the security industry and ensure fairness spreads throughout every level of operation.
As employers and contractors, take these tangible steps for ethical hiring:
✅ Verify Employment Practices: Are you selecting subcontractors? Look beyond the price. Evaluate their employment practices to ensure they align with ethical standards.
✅ Promote Transparency: Openly discuss your hiring practices with peers. Transparency breeds accountability, which can lead to industry-wide improvements. 83% of talent professionals believe that a transparent hiring process can help improve the candidate experience (source).
✅ Educate Your Teams: Ensure that your staff understand their rights and the signs of exploitative practices. Knowledge is a powerful tool against exploitation.
✅ Support Whistleblowers: Make it easy and safe for your team to report dodgy practices. How about a confidential system for raising concerns helps fix problems fast and builds trust among your staff.
✅ Use Gold Tech: Embrace technology to make hiring smoother and keep better track of how subcontractors are doing. Tools that check compliance automatically or confirm subcontractor details can lower the chances of exploitation and keep things clear and open.
✅ Work with Regulators: Team up with the folks who set labour standards and keep an eye on the industry. Stay in touch with the regulator and keep up with the latest rules and show you’re committed to being a trustworthy employer.
GuardPass: A Beacon of ethical hiring
At GuardPass, we stand as a beacon of ethical hiring within the security sector. By simplifying the hiring process and keeping standards rigorously high, we ensure that every security worker in our pool of over 160,000 is treated with the respect and fairness they deserve.
Experience smarter and more efficient hiring with features like instant video introductions and direct chat options. Every security officer on GuardPass has their SIA licence verified, ensuring compliance and peace of mind for both workers and employers.
GuardPass really gets the need for specialised tools and resources for this issue. Keep an eye out for our upcoming tool designed for ethical security hiring.
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes