The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) has accreditation from the Living Wage Foundation as a Living Wage Employer.
The inspectorate says that it endorses the Living Wage Foundation’s principle of ‘a hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay’, as part of corporate social responsibility. The Foundation marks responsible employers who choose to pay a real Living Wage, based on the cost of living and calculated on a basket of household goods and services, as distinct from the UK’s statutory Minimum Wage for under-25s and the National Living Wage for over-25s.
The real Living Wage, the Foundation says, offers benefits to employees and employers alike, and by implication to buyers of services. For employees, tangible advantages include higher esteem, self-confidence, health benefits and improved quality of life, while employers can see increased motivation and retention rates.
NSI says its accreditation is part of a wider strategy to raise standards of labour competency within the Security and Fire sectors, as evidenced by the certification body’s launch this year of its Code of Practice for the ‘Provision of Labour in the Security and Events Sector’. The new Code aims to reduce the risks associated with ‘weak links’ in supply chains of providers of security guarding services who may have the need to use outsourced labour besides.
That code requires best practice in terms of employee terms and conditions, right to work checks, training, organisational structure, finances, record keeping, confidentiality and insurances.
Katherine Chapman, Director, Living Wage Foundation says: “We’re delighted that NSI, recognised within the Security and Fire sectors as an organisation committed to high standards and professionalism, has joined the movement of over 6500 responsible employers across the UK which have accredited with the Foundation as a Living Wage Employer, publicly demonstrating its commitment to treating its own employees fairly. Paying the real Living Wage is the mark of a responsible employer, NSI joins thousands of small businesses, as well as household names such as Burberry, Barclays, Oxfam, Chelsea FC, and many more.”
Richard Jenkins, NSI Chief Executive says: “At the NSI-sponsored UK OSPAs Thought Leadership Summit held earlier this year, a representative from the Living Wage Foundation delivered a thought-provoking and compelling case for employers in the sector to understand the value to both employees and employers of gaining accreditation as a Living Wage Employer.
“NSI is committed to playing its part in increasing the sector’s broader understanding of the benefits this initiative delivers by being an accredited real Living Wage Employer. Many NSI approved companies are already accredited by the Living Wage Foundation, ensuring all their staff including Key Workers in the security sector benefit. We would urge all employers to consider stepping up to the Living Wage Foundation’s philosophy.”
