Offset labour market challenges in security with Strategic Reporting
Major sources have reported that there is a shortage of workers, which began because of COVID-19 and continued because some people are simply reluctant to join or rejoin the workforce.
A recent labour market report showed unemployment in the United Kingdom at 1.36 million, which means the current rate of joblessness is 3.9%. It has also been reported that increases in unemployment have largely been driven by people unemployed for up to 12 months, with economists also concerned that economic inactivity rose.
According to independent researchers, employers can expect a shortage of 85 million workers around the globe by 2030.
This information represents a serious challenge to industries that rely on a steady stream of workers, especially security companies where a significant drop in qualified employees could lead to businesses turning down bids, waitlisting customers or being unable to support regulars.
Even though today’s labour pool has a host of challenges, employers can rely on strategic reporting to make business more efficient, increase operations and ensure long-term business growth, but reliable reporting strategies and actionable processes must first be in place to capture accurate company data.
Drive business growth with strategic reporting
Reporting solutions are available so that professionals can collect valuable data and with that information, it’s possible to change seemingly routine reports into a business strategy that promotes growth.
Daily activity reporting
With daily activity reports, businesses can gain increased visibility by monitoring their employees and that helps managers use resources more efficiently. Supervisors can rely on daily activity reports to expediently respond to activities that are outside the norm and appropriately respond to any incidents.
It is also possible to use daily activity reports to better manage resources, since this type of data also shows exactly how much time workers spend on site versus off site. Daily activity reports create a stored log or digital record of on-site activity, and all of that valuable information can also be used for providing proof of service in addition to guard monitoring.
At times, customers will want confirmation that the security guards on their site are effectively protecting their assets while patrolling the right areas at set times. Daily activity reports can empower managers, who can use these logs as evidence to show that requirements were met, and taking advantage of this tool can encourage repeat business.
Minimising issues with scheduling
To help overcome scheduling issues, it helps to have a fully accurate picture of the time that each worker clocks in and out of a site. Having this kind of data also helps reduce unnecessary overtime. Business owners can rely on scheduling reports to show when workers have reached their allotted amount of hours before paying unnecessary overtime even becomes an issue.
It’s also possible for managers to use scheduling reports to gain a better understanding of how many workers need to report to each site, and these reports can help corroborate that each employee meets every necessary requirement before arriving on site.
site is also possible with scheduling reports, which are designed to help businesses minimise losses from work avoidance and fraudulent time tracking.
Recognising data outliers
Business owners who wish to better identify outliers and prioritise responding to red flags can use exception-based reporting, which lets companies review service delivery-related reports for items that have been missed or tasks that are incomplete.
Exception-based reports can identify and address problems with job performance because these reports flag unusual cases. Focusing on specific issues that require immediate attention helps prevent errors and protects companies against unnecessary losses.
With exception-based reporting, it’s also possible to identify individuals who fail to clock into their shift that day. Business owners can escalate any issue to the appropriate personnel to ensure the matter gets resolved as quickly as possible.
Preventing fraudulent behaviour
Time theft occurs when employees use company time to socialise instead of work, convince fellow employees to clock in or out for them, round up the time clock or take unscheduled breaks.
This fraudulent behaviour may seem minor, at first glance. However, companies have reported major profit losses because time theft was not properly addressed. Avoiding time theft is possible using activity reports, which can perform work audits.
Activity reports can be used to lessen the amount of time that workers spend on unnecessary administrative tasks, in addition to automating manual processes and making sure that employees are meeting regulations, which, on the whole, can lower compliance risks and prevent time theft.
More details on strategic reporting
The labour market is still presenting employers with industry challenges and this could have a major impact on security companies that rely on qualified workers.
Despite the tough labour market, companies in the physical security sector report experiencing increased pressure from clients to deliver better services and prove those services were delivered. With data tools and reliable reporting systems, it is possible to overcome some of these obstacles and gain valuable insights that can inspire strategic business decisions.
Although becoming a data-driven organisation is hardly an overnight process and reporting needs will vary from company to company, the benefits of implementing strategic reporting can be long term.
Paul Hughes
Head of New Business,
TEAM Software by WorkWave
