Can a security guard perform dual duties on two different sites? On one site, he works for 8 hours and then, without any break, he does an 8-hour shift on the other site. Is this authorized? Does this action violate any government guidelines? An agency is involved in this, and some preferred guards are undertaking these additional duties.
From India, Jaipur
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From India, Jaipur
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This is absolutely illegal. Continuous 16-hour duty on a regular basis is not possible for any individual. It would result in a decline in service quality, necessitate overtime pay, and is not acceptable under current labor laws in India. Unfortunately, this is a common practice among many security agencies where security guards may agree to such arrangements in order to earn more money. This issue is a social problem that needs to be addressed promptly by the relevant authorities to prevent its continuance.
Regards, S K Bandyopadhyay
From India, New Delhi
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367Regards, S K Bandyopadhyay
From India, New Delhi
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Not at all acceptable and contractor is resorting to a very illegal practice, a clear violation of laws.
From India, Aizawl
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From India, Aizawl
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Dear Amit,
I wish before raising the query, you had asked the simple questions:
Where do the security personnel do their duty?
The reply is they do their duties in an open environment. Yes, they may have a small outbuilding to assist their duties, but they cannot sit inside forever, and they have to go on the rounds.
What is the nature of their duties?
The reply is: since they work in an open environment, they are forever exposed to sunlight, rain, or cold in the winter. The night duties are challenging because when we enjoy the comforts of our blankets, they don't have this luxury.
What is the primary purpose of their duties?
The primary purpose of their duties is to safeguard or protect the assets of the building. They are responsible for human and material security.
If the security personnel are told to work in their right earnest, the work becomes too arduous, and no security personnel can work beyond eight hours. Nevertheless, many or even almost all employers make them work for 12 hours, which is 1.5 shifts. This is because making them work for 12 hours has become almost a norm, and also getting the security guards has become difficult. Because of the lure of overtime (OT), today hardly a security guard agrees to work for eight hours.
In India, private security has become a big sham. They may not be trained properly on fire and safety. Their physical fitness is also questionable. Security guards are nothing but installed stooges. Ask them the basics of their duties, and they will not be able to tell you. Nevertheless, we Indians are so accustomed to living with pretensions that a collapse of the bridge kills more than 140 persons and still, it does not affect our moral compass.
Now from 12 hours, you wish to extend their duties to 16 hours. Keeping the legality of the decision apart, the decision will fail the principles of security itself. No human can work efficiently in an open environment after 12 hours. Therefore, such risks can be taken provided one is ready to compromise with the security assets.
Lastly, have you worked for 16 hours a day? If yes, then for how many days? Yours would be inbound duties. Therefore, the experiment is worth doing. The experiment will give you a perfect reply to your query!
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar
From India, Bangalore
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I wish before raising the query, you had asked the simple questions:
Where do the security personnel do their duty?
The reply is they do their duties in an open environment. Yes, they may have a small outbuilding to assist their duties, but they cannot sit inside forever, and they have to go on the rounds.
What is the nature of their duties?
The reply is: since they work in an open environment, they are forever exposed to sunlight, rain, or cold in the winter. The night duties are challenging because when we enjoy the comforts of our blankets, they don't have this luxury.
What is the primary purpose of their duties?
The primary purpose of their duties is to safeguard or protect the assets of the building. They are responsible for human and material security.
If the security personnel are told to work in their right earnest, the work becomes too arduous, and no security personnel can work beyond eight hours. Nevertheless, many or even almost all employers make them work for 12 hours, which is 1.5 shifts. This is because making them work for 12 hours has become almost a norm, and also getting the security guards has become difficult. Because of the lure of overtime (OT), today hardly a security guard agrees to work for eight hours.
In India, private security has become a big sham. They may not be trained properly on fire and safety. Their physical fitness is also questionable. Security guards are nothing but installed stooges. Ask them the basics of their duties, and they will not be able to tell you. Nevertheless, we Indians are so accustomed to living with pretensions that a collapse of the bridge kills more than 140 persons and still, it does not affect our moral compass.
Now from 12 hours, you wish to extend their duties to 16 hours. Keeping the legality of the decision apart, the decision will fail the principles of security itself. No human can work efficiently in an open environment after 12 hours. Therefore, such risks can be taken provided one is ready to compromise with the security assets.
Lastly, have you worked for 16 hours a day? If yes, then for how many days? Yours would be inbound duties. Therefore, the experiment is worth doing. The experiment will give you a perfect reply to your query!
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar
From India, Bangalore
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This is a reality orchestrated by the agency in collusion with the concerned guards. In my experience, I have observed that a group of 20-25 guards from a locality stay together. The guards perform two-shift duties or 12-hour duties, but their salary is drawn on a single-duty basis. They do this continuously for two to three months and then take leave for a period equivalent to their extra days worked, for which they are paid. On paper, the arrangement appears perfect and smooth.
Nature of Duty
The nature of the duty for these guards is light, mostly sitting and occasionally dozing off. It is physically not feasible to perform 16 hours of continuous strenuous duty. Obviously, the arrangement is illegal and improper.
From India, Mumbai
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Nature of Duty
The nature of the duty for these guards is light, mostly sitting and occasionally dozing off. It is physically not feasible to perform 16 hours of continuous strenuous duty. Obviously, the arrangement is illegal and improper.
From India, Mumbai
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Double Duties in Security Services: Legal Implications
If the contractor agency deploys its manpower for double duties continuously, it is illegal. If the guards do an 8-hour duty as security guards and are relieved of their duty, they are free, and nobody can question what they are doing in their free time. However, for the sake of earning more money, guards choose to do double duties, etc. Contractors are bound by the law to provide services; hence, if it is found that their guards are doing double duties, it can be termed as illegal.
Ensuring Quality in Security Services
Having said this, it is important for the Principal Employer (PE) to ensure desired quality in services through the implementation of strict procedures and measures on the contractor. Security services have become more of a fashion than a profession. A good guarding system requires guards who are trained, verified, and controlled by the best operational procedures.
Moreover, the PE should opt to hire agencies that have a proven track record and pay according to the legal wage standards as per government notifications. Legal or unethical, the business of security services demands much more awareness and regulatory intervention, and I believe that PEs who hire security services have a greater role to play in this. Profiteering in the security business has tarnished the standards and decorum of security services, and both contractors and PEs are equally responsible for this. We may raise concerns about legal or illegal issues, but when it comes to business and money, people in security services often ignore their responsibility.
From India, Vadodara
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If the contractor agency deploys its manpower for double duties continuously, it is illegal. If the guards do an 8-hour duty as security guards and are relieved of their duty, they are free, and nobody can question what they are doing in their free time. However, for the sake of earning more money, guards choose to do double duties, etc. Contractors are bound by the law to provide services; hence, if it is found that their guards are doing double duties, it can be termed as illegal.
Ensuring Quality in Security Services
Having said this, it is important for the Principal Employer (PE) to ensure desired quality in services through the implementation of strict procedures and measures on the contractor. Security services have become more of a fashion than a profession. A good guarding system requires guards who are trained, verified, and controlled by the best operational procedures.
Moreover, the PE should opt to hire agencies that have a proven track record and pay according to the legal wage standards as per government notifications. Legal or unethical, the business of security services demands much more awareness and regulatory intervention, and I believe that PEs who hire security services have a greater role to play in this. Profiteering in the security business has tarnished the standards and decorum of security services, and both contractors and PEs are equally responsible for this. We may raise concerns about legal or illegal issues, but when it comes to business and money, people in security services often ignore their responsibility.
From India, Vadodara
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Really, I laughed at this question because in the IT sector, this is a common thing. People work one shift and never go home; they proceed to the next shift as well. When they are driven by the desire for money, why wouldn't the security guard be as well? There should not be one rule for one type of worker and a different rule for another type. There is no need to argue that one has to be awake. In both cases, both parties are required to be awake, and there is no superiority between them.
However, IT professionals can take breaks by calling their colleagues for coffee, snacks, or a restroom break, while security guards are deprived of even a glass of drinking water. They are at the mercy of someone else if they want to have a drink of water. They are also human beings, and the need for a restroom is a basic human necessity. How do you plan to address this issue?
During Covid, I read a news article and watched a video about a truck coming down the highway where a lady police officer was stationed. She urgently needed to use a restroom at that time. The truck driver helped her by taking her to the nearest petrol station and then dropping her back at her duty point. We need to consider the human aspect and different perspectives in such discussions; failing to do so is a shame.
From Saudi Arabia
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However, IT professionals can take breaks by calling their colleagues for coffee, snacks, or a restroom break, while security guards are deprived of even a glass of drinking water. They are at the mercy of someone else if they want to have a drink of water. They are also human beings, and the need for a restroom is a basic human necessity. How do you plan to address this issue?
During Covid, I read a news article and watched a video about a truck coming down the highway where a lady police officer was stationed. She urgently needed to use a restroom at that time. The truck driver helped her by taking her to the nearest petrol station and then dropping her back at her duty point. We need to consider the human aspect and different perspectives in such discussions; failing to do so is a shame.
From Saudi Arabia
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@Audnis, you have rightly pointed out the facts about how many hours a person can work and why people work extra hours, etc. Yet, there are various factors why duty hours have been restricted to certain hours by the laws. It is to avoid exploitation. However, as you said, everyone wants to earn more and has liabilities that compel them to work extra.
In the case of contractual work, people are often made to work extra, paid less for the additional work, and the benefits go to the contractor. In the case of security services, this is a serious issue as security is a sensitive matter. One cannot be on guard and alert always if they are doing double or triple duties at a stretch.
From India, Vadodara
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In the case of contractual work, people are often made to work extra, paid less for the additional work, and the benefits go to the contractor. In the case of security services, this is a serious issue as security is a sensitive matter. One cannot be on guard and alert always if they are doing double or triple duties at a stretch.
From India, Vadodara
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Double employment is restriction as per section 60 of factory act.
From India, Greater+Noida
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From India, Greater+Noida
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No dear....Don’t do...double employment.... This is not acceptable in same organization or group.
From India, Delhi
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From India, Delhi
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Section 60 of the Factories Act, 1948
Section 60 of the Factories Act, 1948 prohibits the double employment of adult workers in factories. However, this provision is applicable only to the workmen in factories. Some companies have specific provisions in their policy banning double employment.
Moonlighting in India
Nevertheless, moonlighting is not strictly prohibited in India. Working for two separate entities simultaneously is purely unethical and a breach of contract. Moreover, working for two entities simultaneously will have an adverse impact on the performance of the employee and their health. The employee will not be doing justice to the work at both places.
Regards, JSM
From India, New Delhi
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Section 60 of the Factories Act, 1948 prohibits the double employment of adult workers in factories. However, this provision is applicable only to the workmen in factories. Some companies have specific provisions in their policy banning double employment.
Moonlighting in India
Nevertheless, moonlighting is not strictly prohibited in India. Working for two separate entities simultaneously is purely unethical and a breach of contract. Moreover, working for two entities simultaneously will have an adverse impact on the performance of the employee and their health. The employee will not be doing justice to the work at both places.
Regards, JSM
From India, New Delhi
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Security guard official or a person doing the duty of a security guard?
I will tell you about an incident of double duty, which is dangerous:
I traveled from one city to another in India, with a travel time of 10 hours. I took a private bus heading to the city. It was in the afternoon, and after about an hour of shouting about the destination, the bus finally started. After approximately 4 to 5 hours, passengers wanted to stop for a while, but the door was closed and could not be opened to go out. The passenger area door was closed and only openable from the outside. Unfortunately, the door was locked, a foldable seat was extended, and the boy assisting the bus passengers was in deep sleep. No matter how much we banged on the glass, the driver was unable to hear us. It was a time when mobile phones had just started, without many features. Otherwise, the passengers could have used the flashlight on the video mirror to grab his attention. Finally, when we woke the boy up, the door was opened, and the bus stopped. When we expressed our anger to the driver for such a situation, the driver coolly replied that the boy had taken on double duty, as he had just arrived in the morning and, after washing the bus, started his second shift. This is a high-risk situation.
The risk of double duty for security guards
If the security guard is on double duty, sitting outside as a watchman, then such practice should not be allowed. You may ask, what if a normal security guard falls asleep, what is the issue? This is not the appropriate response. Let him rest for 8 hours, and then he can resume his duties.
From Saudi Arabia
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I will tell you about an incident of double duty, which is dangerous:
I traveled from one city to another in India, with a travel time of 10 hours. I took a private bus heading to the city. It was in the afternoon, and after about an hour of shouting about the destination, the bus finally started. After approximately 4 to 5 hours, passengers wanted to stop for a while, but the door was closed and could not be opened to go out. The passenger area door was closed and only openable from the outside. Unfortunately, the door was locked, a foldable seat was extended, and the boy assisting the bus passengers was in deep sleep. No matter how much we banged on the glass, the driver was unable to hear us. It was a time when mobile phones had just started, without many features. Otherwise, the passengers could have used the flashlight on the video mirror to grab his attention. Finally, when we woke the boy up, the door was opened, and the bus stopped. When we expressed our anger to the driver for such a situation, the driver coolly replied that the boy had taken on double duty, as he had just arrived in the morning and, after washing the bus, started his second shift. This is a high-risk situation.
The risk of double duty for security guards
If the security guard is on double duty, sitting outside as a watchman, then such practice should not be allowed. You may ask, what if a normal security guard falls asleep, what is the issue? This is not the appropriate response. Let him rest for 8 hours, and then he can resume his duties.
From Saudi Arabia
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Hello, this is against the law. You have to schedule a meeting with the security agency to discuss and warn them that if any security guard is found sleeping during duty hours, management will take strict action, including heavy penalties or contract cancellation as per the agreement.
Don't compromise with security.
This is not the IT sector; this is related to company security. Overall, security personnel are tasked with securing the premises and personnel by staying on patrol, monitoring surveillance equipment, performing building inspections, guarding entry points, and verifying visitors. If the security personnel involved are required to work extra shifts and do not get adequate sleep, how will they perform their duties effectively?
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Don't compromise with security.
This is not the IT sector; this is related to company security. Overall, security personnel are tasked with securing the premises and personnel by staying on patrol, monitoring surveillance equipment, performing building inspections, guarding entry points, and verifying visitors. If the security personnel involved are required to work extra shifts and do not get adequate sleep, how will they perform their duties effectively?
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Having a double shift at two locations is unquestionably illegal. Even the law forbids working a continuous 12-hour shift. An adult can work a maximum of nine hours per day and sixty hours per week, including overtime. OT hours cannot exceed 50 hours in a quarter. Please refer to the Factories Act sections 51 to 54 for further clarity.
One possibility is that with a good enough justification, one could obtain a 12-hour duty exemption from the relevant Chief Inspector of Factories, according to the laws of the state in question.
From India
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One possibility is that with a good enough justification, one could obtain a 12-hour duty exemption from the relevant Chief Inspector of Factories, according to the laws of the state in question.
From India
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It depends on the policies and regulations of the security company and the sites where the security guard is working. Some companies may allow their security guards to work at multiple sites, while others may have restrictions on the number of sites an individual can work at or may require guards to be assigned to one site only. It's best to check with the security company for their policies on this matter.
From India, Mumbai
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From India, Mumbai
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