“The competition to hire the best will increase in the years ahead. Companies that give extra flexibility to their employees will have the edge in this area.” Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates made this statement regarding workplace flexibility and HR technology.
Workplace flexibility has become a common term today. Employers now realize that traditional and outdated methods can no longer manage resources. As per the recent survey by KPMG, over 39% of HR leaders believe new technologies like analytics, digital labor, and AI are necessary to meet workforce needs. HR technology not only streamlines staff management, it also makes security teams more productive.
In this article, we will analyze the importance of HR technology for security companies and share some valuable tips for employers to make their organizations more profitable with automation.
So, let’s dive in!
HR Challenges Faced by Security Companies
Security companies operate within a unique landscape where each day presents new challenges. From an HR perspective, workforce management needs to keep evolving with time. HR managers must be vigilant to keep their security teams motivated and meet their expectations. While doing so, they consider various aspects that can impact overall team performance.
Experts believe the expectations of security staff differ from those of workers in other industries. Security officers risk their lives to perform their duties. In return, they demand their employers address their concerns proactively before they become irrepressible.
Three challenges are common that security companies need to address to boost their operational efficiency. These include:
1. High Turnover
A company hires a security guard, invests time in training and professional development, and spends money on recruitment and onboarding. However, that employee leaves the organization after a few months. And other team members also follow the same practices.
How costly would this be for a small security company with limited resources? Hiring and training new employees costs money. Besides, meeting clients’ requirements becomes challenging when security guards keep switching jobs.
Some reasons behind high turnover are burnout, poor team management, and a toxic work environment.
2. Risk of Non-compliance
The security industry is one of the most regulated sectors in the UK. For instance, every security organization must ensure compliance with the Security Industry Authority (SIA). Employers should optimize their operations as per SIA’s requirements.
Nevertheless, regulatory compliance is not possible with conventional techniques. For instance, a security company cannot become SIA-compliant unless it digitizes employee record management with technology. Similarly, streamlining scheduling and team communication also demands automation.
4. Safety of Security Guards
Security guards often work alone in high-risk areas. The work environment makes them highly vulnerable to safety risks that should be addressed to comply with lone worker regulations. In 2018, for example, over 54,750 security officers were physically attacked in the UK security industry.
Lone security guards face multiple risks from the public and customers. These risks include verbal aggression, violent attacks, accidental injury, or manhandling in the crowd. Besides, they may also face sexual harassment, sudden illness, and environmental hazards.
Read the article to learn more about the safety of lone workers in the security industry.
Role of HR Technology in Increasing Profitability
Automated HR tools have unique features. They empower employers and security supervisors to make informed decisions. Here are a few ways security companies can use HR technology to become more profitable:
1. Improved Operational Efficiency
Consider two scenarios.
In the first scenario, security guards are managed by traditional methods. Supervisors are scheduling shifts on paper. There is no communication with security guards deployed at various locations. Even if an incident occurs, lone security officers cannot inform their supervisors and request prompt action.
The second scenario involves the use of HR technology to manage security operations. Managers can schedule weekly or monthly shifts with a few clicks. The workforce management system records whenever a security guard clocks in or out by reaching the location. Besides, lone workers can report workplace incidents or near misses with the mobile app.
As a result, digitization enables supervisors to closely monitor the security guard’s performance and improve operational efficiency. This improvement ultimately results in higher productivity and profitability.
2. Reduced Costs
The second core benefit of HR technology is that it cuts operational costs without reducing organizational efficiency. Suppose a security company employs a large team of 500+ security guards. It is impossible to individually monitor their performance and contact them one by one to confirm their safety. Moreover, scheduling would require a lot of material, time, and energy.
On the other hand, HR software takes care of a company’s workforce management needs. Security managers can check guards’ availability, assign shifts in advance, and access their location in real-time. Besides, the system can track time, process payrolls, and deliver accurate results in minutes.
Hence, using the right HR technology, security companies can reduce operational costs by 40%. The best part is that these costs don’t affect corporate efficiency but result in better outcomes and long-term sustainability.
3. Regulatory Compliance
As explained earlier, regulatory compliance is a huge challenge for security companies. However, HR software makes compliance look like a breeze. Employers can comply with regulations without spending much on additional resources by digitizing their HR operations.
For instance, modern HR tools come with cloud-based data management features. Security supervisors can manage employee records and screen applicants against BS7858 vetting standards. Similarly, automated welfare checks can help managers comply with lone worker regulations and keep their lone security guards safe. Real-time data about staff location, shifts, and clock-in and clock-out brings transparency to performance evaluation.
All these factors collectively contribute to enhanced overall performance. Eventually, security companies can avoid non-compliance fines and focus more on innovation and competitiveness.
4. Staff Empowerment
In today’s dynamic competitive business environment, employees have high expectations from their employers. They demand flexibility in their work hours to maintain a healthy work-life environment. Flexibility in schedules and location keeps workers happy and satisfied. And security guards are no exception.
HR technology empowers both supervisors and security guards. Managers can evaluate staff performance and make data-driven decisions from a single dashboard. They can stay informed of shifts planned for the month or currently running. Similarly, the system tracks both time and location of security officers so that they remain within the designated service area and perform their duties confidently.
As far as employees are concerned, they can manage shift requests as per their availability. Besides, they can inform their managers of workplace incidents, including accidents, risks, or near misses. The system gives them a sense of ownership and encourages them to show exceptional performances. Ultimately, a productive workforce means more business, which drives profitability.
5. Enhanced Employee Training
In the prospect of security management, the significance of ongoing training and development cannot be overstated. HR technology emerges as a transformative tool in this regard, transcending mere operational functionalities.
Unlike traditional methods, which may falter in delivering consistent training across a geographically dispersed security team, HR software steps in as a comprehensive solution. It establishes a centralized platform that streamlines the creation and management of training programs, providing security supervisors with unprecedented control and oversight.
Moreover, the software enables thorough progress tracking, allowing supervisors to pinpoint and address specific skill gaps promptly. This systematic and data-driven approach not only cultivates a more skilled and knowledgeable security workforce but also fortifies their ability to adeptly handle a spectrum of diverse situations. Ultimately, the implementation of HR technology affects the effectiveness and preparedness of the security team. Thus, contributing profoundly to the safety and security infrastructure of the organization.
6. Dynamic Shift Planning
In the ever-evolving security management industry, HR technology emerges as a game-changer, particularly through the implementation of dynamic shift planning. This innovative feature reshapes the traditional notion of shift scheduling by introducing a level of adaptability that is crucial for optimal resource utilization within security companies.
Unlike conventional methods that often struggle with rigidity and a lack of responsiveness to changing operational needs, HR software offers a dynamic shift planning solution. Security managers gain the ability to swiftly adapt to fluctuating demand by making real-time adjustments to shifts. The system takes into account multifaceted factors such as peak hours, specific skill requirements, and individual guard preferences.
Moreover, this intricate consideration ensures that the right number of guards, possessing the requisite skills, are strategically deployed precisely when and where their expertise is most needed. The dynamic shift planning feature not only amplifies operational agility but also serves as a proactive measure against issues like overstaffing or understaffing.
7. Data-Driven Decision-Making
Within digital technology, security supervisors can discern patterns, identify trends, and extract actionable insights that inform central decisions. The spectrum of decision-making spans resource allocation, strategic training investments, and nuanced expansion strategies.
For instance, the software facilitates the identification of high-performing guards, paving the way for their potential elevation into leadership roles, thereby ensuring talent is strategically positioned within the organization.
Moreover, security supervisors can assess the training needs of their personnel, pinpointing areas of improvement and strategizing additional training initiatives where necessary. This proactive stance ensures that the workforce remains agile, well-equipped, and aligned with evolving industry standards.
Crucially, by aligning the strategic direction of security companies with the rich insights collected from HR technology, these organizations foster sustained growth. This alignment not only ensures operational excellence but also acts as a catalyst for increased profitability. Thus, making the adoption of HR technology an indispensable tool for security companies.
Final Thoughts
Technology fills gaps, streamlines processes, and creates growth opportunities. If you see new horizons as a security company’s owner, implementing HR technology should be your first priority. Cloud-based workforce management tools have powerful features. They elevate organizational performance by organizing HR operations and helping supervisors make quick decisions.
Automated solutions have four immediate HR benefits for security companies. These include improved operational efficiency, cost reduction, regulatory compliance, and staff empowerment. In addition to these benefits, HR technology makes teams more productive and efficient.
Consequently, security companies can increase their competitiveness and satisfy their clients. Ultimately, they can expand their business and become more profitable in the long run.