SECURITY
Security check – Vistech Services operations director Paul Heeran.
Ensure your company security isn’ t putting you at risk
Is your business truly protected?
Paul Heeran, operations director at Teesside-headquartered security firm Vistech Services, on why it’ s important to consider who is carrying out the security of your business.
The employment of security staff is rarely discussed openly and often receives little consideration when appointing a contractor. Many would be surprised – and, in some cases, shocked- to learn of practices within the industry that can leave guards vulnerable and potentially expose the businesses that hire them.
At Vistech Services, we believe it’ s important to shine a light on these issues. Employment practices are too often seen as taboo but we want to encourage open discussion and ensure businesses understand the consequences of their choices – both legally and morally- when selecting a security provider.
Our teams regularly visit sites across Teesside to deliver services, including CCTV monitoring, mobile patrols and specialist protective solutions. These are often locations where we are not responsible for the manned guarding contract. During these visits, our director and staff frequently observe concerning employment practices that reveal a wider problem.
One worrying issue is the long-term use of self-employed security guards. Contracts are often awarded on a 12-month or multi-year basis, allowing these arrangements to appear temporary. However, many guards remain on the same site for extended periods, effectively working in permanent roles but without the rights of employed staff. Self-employed guards are excluded from protections such as TUPE, which safeguard workers when contracts change provider. The result is a workforce left without job security, pay stability or basic
44 | Tees Business employment rights.
When selecting a security provider, businesses often focus on cost and visible presence. One area that’ s frequently overlooked is how the contractor builds and manages its workforce. Behind every uniform is a person, and the way staff are employed says a great deal about the ethics and professionalism of the company providing them.
While self-employed guards may appear like a flexible arrangement, numerous individuals are working full-time hours without the rights employed staff would expect. Some have no entitlement to holiday pay, forcing them to work long stretches without rest. Others are paid less than they would be under direct employment, creating financial insecurity and fatigue.
For businesses hiring such contractors, the risks extend beyond ethics. Seeing the same guards cover continuous shifts with little rest is a warning sign that staff may be overworked. Poor employment practices can damage a company’ s reputation and raise questions about complicity in non-compliant arrangements.
There are also financial and legal consequences. If a contractor misclassifies employees as self-employed, HMRC may determine unpaid tax and National Insurance contributions are owed. In some cases, these liabilities could fall back on the hiring business. The reputational cost of being associated with unfair or unlawful employment practices can far outweigh short-term savings.
Fortunately, businesses can take steps to gain reassurance, to ensure they’ re not aiding unfair working practices.
The Security Industry Authority( SIA) runs the Approved Contractor Scheme( ACS), which measures private security suppliers against independently assessed standards. ACS-approved contractors must demonstrate good employment practices, fair pay and commitment to staff welfare. Checking a provider’ s ACS status will give you confidence that guards are treated professionally.
Businesses can also carry out simple checks to confirm contractors are acting responsibly:
1. Verify subcontractor details – request invoices and engagement terms; for construction sites, use HMRC’ s free CIS service.
2. Understand the nature of the work – use HMRC’ s CEST tool to assess if workers are genuinely selfemployed.
3. Ask the right questions directly to your contractor: Who performs the work? What rights do they have? How are they paid?
At Vistech Services, we believe staff treatment is central to delivering reliable, professional security. Our officers are employed directly, with fair pay, holiday entitlement, pensions, training and ongoing development. This builds a stable, motivated workforce that reflects the quality and integrity our clients expect.
By understanding how security providers operate, businesses can be confident they’ re investing in a service that is ethical, compliant and sustainable- one that supports both people and performance.
Find out more at vistechservices. co. uk