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 When you are researching and selecting a security company to provide your security services, it is important to recognize that all security companies are not created equally. Some security companies cut corners to give you a low per hour price bid. In many cases this price cutting is on the backs of their employees through low wages, no holiday or vacation pay or cost prohibitive benefits. Service quality suffers from high turnover due to a company not being able to attract and retain quality employees because of low paying wages and poor benefits. Another cost cutting area that can increase your liability is to cut overhead costs by lowering insurance coverage limits, to reduce or eliminate training or just put a “body at a post.”
Some other questions you should ask:
- Does the company specialize in the services you need in a niche market, such as upscale gated communities, upscale businesses and resorts? Or, is the company a generalist just after volume billable hours?
- Does the company provide uniforms at no cost to their employees? Or, does the company require their employees to purchase uniforms from them. Professional security companies should provide uniforms without charging their employees. This allows the security employees to become positive partners who want to provide a higher quality of service to the customer. Providing uniforms at no cost to the employee is a way to make the security employee feel appreciated and part of the team.
- Does the company provide a complete and affordable benefits package to their employees, including health care? Or, does the company claim they do. However, the employee cost is so high that it is cost prohibitive for the employee to afford health care and other benefits?
- Does the company provide multi-million dollars of commercial general liability, automobile and worker’s compensation insurance? Did you know that a security company can be licensed to provide security in the State of Florida by only showing proof of $300,000.00 in liability insurance?
- Are the security officers bonded to cover theft? Hint: Most companies don’t bond their security officers.
- Does the security company provide insurance coverage if a security officer losses a grand master or other key and you have to re-key an entire building?
- Does the security company carry employment practices liability insurance? And, does it cover inappropriate actions or comments of a harassing nature to a third party?
- If the security company provides a vehicle, is it: fully equipped to include first aid, AED, battery boost and tire inflator capabilities, snake and critter catcher, traffic safety equipment, radar, vehicle door lockout kit, real time GPS and security roof lights equipped with spotlights, alley lights and flood light? Does the car have a flashlight and camera?
- Does the security company use a patrol verification system for their foot and vehicle patrols?
- Does the security company provide on-line access to reports and email notifications of emergencies or critical incidents?
The old adage “you get what you pay for” is firmly entrenched in the security industry. So be careful and be sure to ask the tough questions and select the company that is right for you and will protect your interests and not just collect a check.
Outsourcing Your In-house Security
Is outsourcing your existing in-house and employee security team right for you? It is if you want to:
- Reduce security program costs
- Retain control and accountability
- Retain staffing and assignment flexibility
- Have the ability to quickly adapt to changing needs
- Eliminate scheduling problems
- Reduce risk and liability exposure
- Lower training costs
- Reduce uniform and equipment costs
- Eliminate overtime caused by employee call-offs
What is the true cost of your current in-house security team? These are questions you should ask and numbers you should count.
- Wage costs – base wage, holiday pay, vacation pay, sick pay, incentive pay, COLA/merit pay, longevity pay, shift differential pay, overtime, FICA/Medicare match, federal and state unemployment taxes, overtime, lost productive time and wage costs due to military duty, jury duty, on the job injuries.
- Benefits costs – health, dental, vision, life, short and long term disability, 401(k) contribution.
- Human Resources cost – recruiting, advertising, background, interviewing, termination costs, HR staff.
- Insurance costs – general liability, workers’ compensation, automobile liability and EPLI.
- Training costs – initial training, on-the-job post training, supervisor, management and continual in-service training.
- Uniforms – shirts, pants, badges, jackets, sweaters, shoes, belts, name badges.
- Miscellaneous – incident reporting software, computers, patrol verification systems, real-time GPS, cell phones, AED’s, first aid supplies, flashlights, security logs, guest/access passes, office supplies.
Total this up and you should have the real cost of your in-house employee security program. Then compare your current cost with a proposal from a professional and qualified contract security company. Watch out for low bidders in your comparison. See above for what to look out for.
Value enhanced security services for your community and business is only one call away.
Call 386-597-7366 today.
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