How Should We Handle Employee Safety Threats at a Customer Site? Seeking Advice on Security Measures

Employee Safety and Security Concerns at Customer Site

Some of our employees are working for the customer at their location to provide maintenance and address other project-related issues. These employees are sent to the customer's site and are working there on a temporary transfer basis. The customer provides official accommodation for these employees at a nominal charge.

The problem is that local people are not allowing them to work and are threatening them with dire consequences if they continue. The locals are demanding that we appoint local people for these tasks. However, the customer is not accepting this as there is no abundant local talent in the area. The employees are being physically assaulted in front of their family members. The customer is advising them to file a police complaint.

Under these circumstances, what should we do? Is it not the responsibility of the customer to provide security for the personnel working with them? If a police complaint is lodged by non-local employees, the situation may worsen. Please guide us on this issue by providing reasonable options.

Regards,

Responsibility for Employee Security at Customer Sites

I strongly feel that the security of employees working with the customer is primarily the responsibility of the employer, although the customer also plays a significant role. The employer should ensure a conducive atmosphere at the customer's place; otherwise, it is better not to deploy employees because:

- Managing local issues will be difficult for the employer.
- Providing security at another's place may not be possible.
- Employees may question why they should work in a threatened area.
- Employees may not be interested in being involved in police records.
- Any human being works for their livelihood and family; hence, employees may reject relocation.
- There is a possibility of increased insecurity among employees.
- Employees may leave the organization for a more peaceful life in other organizations.
- The company's image may suffer in the market.
- Even if employees approach the police, the situation may worsen.

Considering all the above points, you should demand that the customer take responsibility and make necessary arrangements so that your employees can work comfortably and deliver the goods. Failing this, it may be better to scrap the contracts/agreements or, if possible, complete the process at your location and deliver.

Thanks and regards,
Kamesh

Further to what Kamesh suggested, please confirm the security-related terms you have in the MoU/Agreement between your company and the customer. Many of the options available to you will depend on this aspect.

Regarding your statement "The customer is asking them to give a police complaint," please ask the customer to lodge the police complaint. Primarily, it is their HR/IR problem. In case they do not take this step, it will be your company's HR that will have to lodge the police complaint on behalf of the company's employees, not the employees at the individual level.

You have not mentioned the size of the customer company. If they have a corporate office elsewhere, I suggest escalating the issue and taking it up with their head office.

Additionally, you have not specified the type of project your employees are involved in. If it relates to land acquisition for projects such as power plants, the issue may be much larger than just preventing attendance at duty.

In the worst-case scenario at this point, it may be necessary to suspend your employees' activities at the site until things are sorted out between your company and the customer at the official level. I recommend involving your company's legal counsel since such situations could have legal implications later on. It is better to take action with these long-term aspects in mind.

Regards,
TS