5-minute read
Security guards are in high demand year-round, and many people gravitate to the field because they know they’ll always have work. But there is another side to this tale, one that’s a little more frustrating for security companies and people responsible for their staffing. In the industry, we call it the Christmas conundrum or, more to the point, the nightmare before Christmas—and we’re not talking about that Tim Burton movie.
Defencify’s CEO, Russell Willmon, explains.
“Every year, as the holidays approach, we are almost always shorthanded. Companies that need guards and patrols often require additional guard service during the holidays. Large retail stores require extra guards because of holiday shopping, extended hours, and increased security incidents during this time, as do banks and event facilities. Because of this, Security companies generally start looking to fill temp positions a month or two in advance just to ensure they can provide the protection their clients need.
“But no matter how well-prepared they are, December is always challenging from a staffing perspective, and that’s what we call the Christmas conundrum—and it’s not just about being short-staffed.
“We see more attrition during the holidays than any other time of year. People get sick more often in the winter; family members are getting sick, they have to stay home with their kids, or they may just decide to quit because they know they can get a new job at the company down the street when they’re ready to go back to work.”
Experiencing High Holiday Turnover? You’re Not Alone.
Security has a high turnover at the best of times. Long hours, stressful situations, and working holidays, nights, and weekends for a lower wage lead to burnout.
Of course, there are many great things about guard jobs, too, but unless you’re in management, have a unique skill set, or a higher level of training that commands a bigger salary, the job can be transient.
Compounding the issue, every company is short-staffed, and they’re all hiring. With so much work to go around, guards don’t often have a lot of loyalty. Many feel quitting before (or during) the holidays is okay because they know they’ll always be in demand.
While it’s impossible to predict exactly how the holiday season will play out, Russ shared a few ideas security companies can apply to reduce attrition, boost guard loyalty, and attract good employees year-round.
Tips to Solve the Christmas Conundrum
Russ suggests two main strategies to help beat the Christmas crunch: first, take care of your employees, and second, take care of your core customers.
Here are a few tips to get you started.
1. Invest in your workforce
An inordinate number of new guards will leave after the first 60-90 days. But if you provide them with training, support, and something to aspire to, they will likely stick around. Defencify Academy’s Three-Tier Training System is a comprehensive program aligned with ASIS guidelines for security officer training and is designed to build confidence, promote loyalty, and encourage commitment to the employer.
Upskilling creates more versatile guards capable of thriving in any work environment, a handy capability during the holiday season. More training also increases earning potential, a detail your guards will welcome as they step into their potential.
2. Increase wages during the holidays
Most security companies will need to hire temporary employees from Thanksgiving through the new year. Offering a higher wage during this time will attract more candidates who are less likely to call in or quit.
3. Provide incentives
Incentivize work during the holidays by increasing wages and offering bonuses, perks, or prizes for guards who work all their scheduled shifts. When Russ was at Securitas, they offered prizes like flat-screen TVs, gift cards, and cash bonuses. Every guard who showed up on time for their shifts and didn’t book off over the holidays would be entered into a draw. A little friendly competition is fun, and everybody wins!
4. Communicate
It’s essential to communicate expectations to the workforce ahead of the holidays. You know it will be challenging, so get ahead of it. Send out a memo to staff letting them know starting the week before Thanksgiving through January 1st, no time-off requests will be approved unless they can work out an appropriate shift trade, ideally with a colleague who’s familiar with the job site. This is when you tell them about the incentives you’re offering and the parameters to be in the running for a prize. You can also offer to schedule the vacation time they need once the blackout period is over. Be firm but accommodating. You’re all in this together!
5. Show your appreciation
Show your loyal employees how much they matter. Russ suggests providing supervisors in the field with petty cash to purchase pizza, snacks, and other treats to take to job sites to show appreciation for what they do.
Some guards will be working long shifts on their own with few people around. Where appropriate, get permission from the client for guards to read, listen to music, or do training modules to keep their brains occupied. As long as the activity is not a distraction, giving them leeway to entertain themselves helps them feel trusted and valued.
6. Prioritize your core customers during the holidays
It’s not unusual to get requests from one-off clients outside your normal verticals at holiday time. While it may be tempting to accept, consider how taking on more work will disrupt the status quo. You’re already overstretched and can expect to see call-offs and people quitting. You must not overwork your existing employees, or you risk losing them. If you take a temp contract and can’t staff it adequately, you’ll put core clients at a disadvantage. They’re your bread and butter; treat them like royalty, and you’ll always be their number one.
Final Thoughts
The holidays may be jolly for most, but it’s all hands on deck for security companies. Before the Christmas conundrum rears its ugly head, prepare yourself with these handy tips. Remember, security is a people industry; do right by your people, and they’re more likely to do right by you.
Get ahead of the game: Sign up for the Defencify Academy Three-Tier Training System today and beat the Christmas conundrum!
