With the deadline for the new National Living Wage fast approaching, every business employing people on or around the Minimum Wage is having to review its practices and assess how it will deal with increased payroll costs. With this in mind Trigion Security Services have called upon the industry to ensure that everyone gets a fair reward for their work.
The National Living Wage (initially set at £7.20 for workers aged 25 and above) will mean an increase in pay for anyone 25 or older on the Minimum Wage (£6.70). However, this is still not sufficient to live on according to the Living Wage Foundation. Its figure (£8.25 nationally and £9.40 in London) is determined independently, updated every year and calculated according to the basic cost of living.
The National Living Wage is compulsory, but Trigion would like to see more companies who offer security services taking the extra step and committing to the voluntary higher Living Wage.
The Living Wage Foundation offers a Service Provider Recognition Scheme for third party contractors who pay their own staff the Living Wage and commit to always offering a Living Wage option when submitting tenders. Trigion was the first national security provider to sign up to the scheme in 2013 and there are still fewer than 10 security companies on board, despite there being over 800 Security Industry Authority (SIA) registered contractors.
Neil Barham, operations director - manned guarding at Trigion Security Services, said: "Many employers are reluctant to join the scheme as they are worried about the financial implications of what they are committing to. I understand that while most people agree that paying the Living Wage is morally the 'right thing to do', many still worry about their bottom line. Businesses need to make a profit, but paying the Living Wage does not stop that happening.
"At Trigion, we have a rapidly growing portfolio and are committed to delivering best value services to the companies we work for. Paying the Living Wage has been a help not a hindrance in achieving that, as we are able to attract and retain high quality security operatives. The extra costs of pay rises can be mitigated through contract efficiencies, smarter operating practices, and the improved retention and commitment of operatives who are fairly remunerated for their work."
With a compulsory rise being implemented on 1 April, Trigion believes there has never been a better time for the security industry to make sure its operative are fairly treated and to reap the benefits of a more loyal and committed workforce in the process.