How New Security Staff Laws May Affect You

If you employ security staff, you’ll no doubt be aware of the vital role they play in protecting your business. With this in mind, you should also be aware of an update to employment law that affects door staff, security guards or anyone you’ve hired to prevent theft, trespassing and bodily harm. The Employment Regulation Order (Security Industry Joint Labour Committee) 2017 came into effect in June last year, replacing a 2015 version of the same law. It outlines a set of benefits that you must make available to your security workers. Increase in Wages The core rate of pay for security staff has increased from €10.75 per hour to €11.05 per hour. This will increase by a further 30c in June 2018, and by another 30c the following year, bringing the hourly rate up to €11.65 by 2019. If you already pay a higher rate than what is set out in the order, you must keep a record of it to prove that you’re following the law. Benefits After security staff have worked for you for six months, they’re entitled to:

• A death-in-service benefit of one year’s pay. This is irrespective of whether death occurred while on duty or not.
• A personal attack benefit. This varies according to the length of service. Furthermore, if an employee has been a victim of violence while carrying out their duties, you’re responsible for providing access to both physical and psychological support.
• A minimum 24-hour contract of employment.

After 18 months’ service, security staff will be entitled to three weeks of sick pay on their fourth day of sickness or injury, once they give you a medical certificate. Bereavement leave The law also states that you must have a bereavement leave policy – this means that you should give workers a minimum of one day’s paid leave if someone in their immediate family passes away. Communications You must communicate with your security workers through email or employer portal. This provides an accurate record of correspondence on both sides. Get in touch To find out more about this law and how to implement it, call our experts on 0818 923 923.