Society Apartment Security: Have We Forgotten That Security Guards Are Human Beings?
“If a guard stays awake all night protecting your family, and at 6 a.m. he momentarily dozes off, is he guilty—or simply human?”
Every day, millions of security guards across India stand between chaos and calm, between danger and safety. They monitor gates, greet visitors, log entries, and watch over homes while the rest of us enjoy the comforts of sleep, celebration, or work. Yet in gated communities and high-rises, the very people they protect often forget one critical truth:
Guards are not machines. They are human.
Part 1: The Reality on the Ground – Expectations That Break Humans
In thousands of housing societies across India, especially in cities like Pune, Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru, the expectations from security guards are not just high—they’re inhuman:
- 12-hour non-stop shifts, often at night, without any breaks, holidays, or weekends off
- No sick leave, even if the guard is ill or recovering
- No paid holidays, even during national festivals or family emergencies
- No restroom access or food breaks, sometimes not even a moment to stretch
- If the guard goes to the washroom, residents start complaining or click photos of the empty chair
- If the guard dozes off after 12 hours of duty, the society group explodes:
“Why is he sleeping?”, “Fire him immediately”, “Agency is unprofessional!”
And this cycle repeats, day after day, night after night, without empathy, understanding, or rest.
This Is Not a Job. This Is Modern-Day Slavery.
The word “job” implies fair pay, humane conditions, and dignity.
But in many societies, guards are treated like robots in uniform:
- Spoken to with disrespect
- Expected to salute every car
- Not allowed to speak or smile “too much”
- Photographed without consent when absent from post
- Fined ₹XXXX.XX or more for a few minutes of inattentiveness
Some societies expect a guard to manage security, be a receptionist, clean the cabin, check deliveries, control parking, and still remain alert and respectful 24/7—for ₹12,000/month.
The Invisible Pressure: Why Guards Are Forced Into Double Duties
Many residents complain: “Our guard is working somewhere else during the day, and doing a night shift here. That’s why he’s tired.”
But no one asks why he’s forced to do two jobs.
The answer is painful:
- ₹12,000/month isn’t enough to pay rent, feed a family, or cover medical bills
- With no PF, no ESI, and no job security, guards have no financial cushion
- Many guards skip meals or eat dry roti and pickle to save money
- Some live in cramped rooms with 3–4 other guards to split rent
- Children’s school fees? Parents’ medicines? Emergency expenses? They simply don’t have enough
So they work another 12-hour shift elsewhere—often just to survive. This isn’t greed. It’s helplessness.
A Real Story: Ramesh, the Night Guard from Pune
Ramesh (name changed), 34, works in a gated society in Kharadi, Pune. He lives in a rented 1-room apartment with two other guards. He earns ₹12,000 per month, works night shifts from 7 pm to 7 am.
After paying ₹6,000 for rent and sending ₹3,000 to his family, he is left with ₹3,000 for the entire month.
One morning, at 6:10 am, after a 12-hour shift and two skipped meals, Ramesh nodded off. A resident clicked a photo of the empty chair and sent it in the society group with the message:
“Useless guard. Always sleeping. Ask the agency to remove him.”
That same day, he was fired.
No one asked if he was ill, hungry, or had family trouble.
No one cared.
Let’s Talk Numbers – The Harsh Reality
- 6.1 million+ security guards in India—more than Indian Armed Forces and Police combined
- ₹10,000–₹12,000/month – the average salary for 12-hour shifts
- 70%+ guards suffer chronic fatigue, poor nutrition, or untreated health issues
- 80%+ do not receive EPF/ESIC or any social security
- Many do not get weekly off or even one holiday per month
These numbers aren’t statistics—they represent the silent lives of those guarding us.
Structural Failures: When Law and System Fail the Guards
India’s Private Security Agencies Regulation Act (PSARA) mandates that:
- Guards must get proper training
- Agencies must offer EPF and ESI
- Agencies must maintain welfare standards
But ground reality is different:
- Agencies cut corners to win contracts
- Societies demand cheaper guards, even if untrained or uninsured
- Guards have no union support, no voice, and no way to protest
- Police side with residents in conflicts—”Why did you send such a guard?”
Thus, guards are trapped between exploitative societies, cheap agencies, and indifferent law enforcement.
Society Must Reflect: Are We Demanding Too Much for Too Little?
Many societies say:
“We’re paying ₹12,000 per guard, we want quality!”
But ask yourself:
- Can you get a trained, literate, disciplined professional in ₹12,000/month?
- Would you or your son work 12 hours every day, with no leave or break, for this amount?
- Don’t you offer your office peon or housemaid more humane conditions?
Why then treat guards as less than human?
Would you expect a Mercedes for the price of a Maruti?
Are We Paying for Security or Punishing It?
Many societies:
- Fine ₹1000 if a guard dozes off
- Click photos of guards who stand up or leave for toilet
- Make them clean their cabins, change water motors, lights, etc.
- Cut salary for even 1 day absence
- Abuse them verbally or demand instant replacements from agencies
And still expect them to:
- Be smart, polite, and well-dressed
- Be literate enough to use apps and logbooks
- Not use phones, not fall asleep, not get sick
This is not a job—this is bonded labor.
Role of Security Agencies – Complicit or Trapped?
Agencies too must take responsibility:
- Bidding too low just to win contracts
- Hiring untrained, vulnerable staff to save money
- No backup or welfare for guards
- Ignoring complaints of harassment from societies
Ethical agencies must:
- Follow PSARA norms
- Ensure EPF/ESIC
- Train guards
- Replace abusive clients instead of tolerating them for money
What Societies Must Do – 12 Practical Changes
To treat guards like humans, societies should:
- Shift to 8-hour duty, or increase compensation for 12-hour shifts
- Provide 1 day off per week and leave on major festivals
- Ensure toilet access, drinking water, and rest cabin
- Choose PSARA-licensed agencies only
- Ensure EPF and ESIC coverage
- Pay a minimum of ₹24,000–₹30,000/month for 12-hour duty
- Install CCTV to protect guards from false complaints
- Penalize residents who verbally abuse or assault guards
- Create a complaint redressal mechanism
- Allow 10-minute breaks during long shifts
- Educate society members through monthly meetings
- Treat guards as frontline workers, not as disposable staff
Investing in Guards = Investing in Safety
- Retention: Respected guards stay longer
- Alertness: Rested guards perform better
- Accountability: Trained guards reduce risk
- Community Respect: Happy guards treat residents better
You don’t just buy a service—you build trust and security.
Final Reflection: Before You Complain, Think Twice
“If your brother or son was working as a guard, would you treat him this way?”
Security is not just about cameras and gates. It’s about the people who stand between us and danger—rain or shine, day or night.
Now Is The Time To Speak Up
If you are a society resident, a committee member, or just a responsible citizen:
- Share this blog in your society group
- Speak to your agency about compliance
- Advocate for better treatment, not cheaper labor
- Change the system—from inside
Let no guard be forced to live like a machine again.
RAJ SECURITY AND FACILITY MANAGEMENT PVT LTD – WE STAND FOR DIGNITY
We don’t just deploy guards—we stand with them.
PSARA Licenses:
- Maharashtra License No.: PSA/L/58/MH/2024/DEC/3/XXXX (Valid until: 22/03/2029)
- Also licensed in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh
Service Locations:
Pune, Baner, Hinjewadi, Kharadi, Wakad, Hadapsar, Viman Nagar, Kothrud, Camp, Pimple Saudagar, Magarpatta and across Maharashtra.
Our Services:
- Trained Male/Female Security Guards
- Office Boys, Cleaning Staff
- 24×7 Monitoring & GPS Attendance
- Emergency Replacement & Guard Welfare
📞 Contact: +91‑9970053346
🌐 www.rajsecurityservices.com
🔚 Dignity Today = Security Tomorrow
Respect your guard. Stand up for their rights.
Because a secure society is not one filled with CCTV cameras—
It is one that respects the humans watching over them.
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