Exploitation of Security Staff
We have noticed the increase in applicants stating they are self employed security officers when they arrive to us for interview? It seems its not uncommon for employers (security companies) to recruit staff for £10 per hour and class them as subcontractors on the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) deducting 20% for tax once a UTR has been provided. As sub-contractors, these security officers forfeit many employment benefits such as uniform, pension and holiday entitlement.
These unsuspecting security guards, most of which are a little slow on the up take, if you get my meaning, are being exploited by the employer our industry and clients alike, ignorance is no excuse, albeit ignorance is not the excuse its keeping over heads down, we call this exploitation, today its known as “Modern Day Slavery”. Nevertheless, these employers are recruiting staff in positions such as fire wardens across London keeping charge rates extremely low and providing appalling work conditions for Security Officers, there again you get what you pay for in life generally!
For those inspectorates of companies, Employers and clients who should know better, shame on you.
Generally speaking, when working as a security officer for one company you should be, “ pay as you earn” P.A.Y.E this means working as an employee for that company and getting the remuneration and protection they deserve.
The rules are:
If you start working for yourself, you’re classed as a sole trader. This means you’re self-employed - even if you haven’t yet told HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Running a business
You’re probably self-employed if you:
· run your business for yourself and take responsibility for its success or failure
· have several customers at the same time
· can decide how, where and when you do your work
· can hire other people at your own expense to help you or to do the work for you
· provide the main items of equipment to do your work
· are responsible for finishing any unsatisfactory work in your own time
· charge an agreed fixed price for your work
· sell goods or services to make a profit (including through websites or apps)
You can be both employed and self-employed at the same time.
For example if you work for an employer during the day and run your own business in the evenings.
You can check whether you’re self-employed by checking the HMRC website.