The Covid pandemic was a stress test for mental health support at Magenta Security. Our security officers were on the frontlines as the world around them shut down and the wellbeing of themselves and their loved ones was under threat. This moment of shared hardship was an opportunity for us to help each other relieve the pressure on our mental health through open, honest conversation and a promise that support is always available. Mental health has always been taken seriously […]
All Plan B COVID-19 measures have been lifted and employers are being encouraged to return to physical workplaces, with civil servants leading by example. As offices fill back up and commuter hubs surge with activity, we need to make sure that everyone is kept safe. We must live with COVID-19 but don’t pretend it’s gone While vaccine use and exposure to the virus have given much of the population the antibodies necessary to fight off the COVID-19 virus with mild […]
With the vaccine rollout making a post-pandemic world feel tantalisingly close and restrictions gradually easing, there are finally reasons to feel hopeful in this ongoing pandemic. However, we must be cautious in our rush to return to normal, not just to prevent another spike in cases, but because we will be feeling the impact the pandemic had on our collective mental wellbeing for months, if not years, to come. Back to normal: exciting or overwhelming? After a year where no […]
In the year since the COVID-19 virus first shut down life as we knew it, we at Magenta Security have kept our business running, our staff safe and our services consistent. This required proactive planning, swift action, complex logistics and, most importantly, commitment and bravery from our staff. While we may not be clear of this deadly virus yet, we wanted to look back on the past year now that recovery is on the horizon and restrictions on life and […]
Thermal imaging cameras are flying off the shelves as companies buy into the promise that they can provide a rapid means of detecting people showing symptoms of COVID-19 without the need for physical contact. But do these devices live up to their claims? And if they do, are they enough to make workplaces safe? Thermal imaging has many uses – detecting COVID-19 isn’t one Thermal imaging cameras are a valuable tool used by firefighters, police and security companies such as […]
No matter how much we develop our infrastructure and hone our customer service, a security company is only as good as its security guards. That’s why we spend over half a million pounds a year providing training for our security guards above and beyond the mandatory qualifications in basic guarding and basic first aid from City and Guilds or other SIA endorsed organisations. Every security guard in the country needs a security license from the SIA but beyond that it’s […]
Last week, I shared the story of why I founded Magenta Security. I revealed that, unfortunately, what pushed me to start my own business was that my abilities were less important to my employers than the colour of my skin. Though those experiences made me the man I am today, I would never wish them on anyone. While the discrimination I faced motivated me to quit my job and start my own security company, other people in the same situation […]
My career started about 30 years ago, working for a major security company. It was a fairly well paid job and I was good at it yet, no matter how hard I tried, senior positions never opened up for me. After years of being slapped in the face, it was clear that it wasn’t my skill or effort holding me back, it was the colour of my skin. That’s when I decided to go out on my own and start […]
Why Our Guards Work Harder and Happier. Staff turnover in the security industry is 30% on average. This line of work typically isn’t seen as a long term career. Instead it’s a stop gap, something to do on the side while studying, working another job or if you’re out of options. Unfortunately, it’s not hard to see why security work has this image. Many companies overwork and underpay their staff, don’t provide adequate training and there are certainly no prospects […]
Staff turnover in the security industry is generally high. There are many reasons for this but one of the biggest issues is the lack of training and development opportunities. At Magenta we manage to maintain figures that are far lower – about 12%. Why, because we value and treat our staff with respect and provide them with the training they need to succeed. Security should no longer be regarded as a short term job – it is a career. In […]
