Companies in the UK are subject to all sorts of different legal rules and regulations in pretty much every aspect of what they do.
From health and safety to employee contracts to tax legislation and everything in-between the modern business world is highly regulated and often pretty difficult to navigate.
Security is no different and there are numerous rules that must be followed in order to protect your customers, employees, shareholders, and anyone else who is involved in the business.
In this blog we will examine the key legal obligations that UK companies have, helping you to keep your people safe and avoid any legal repercussions that could threaten to destabilise your operations.
Take these seriously. There are plenty of companies out there who have assumed that everything would sort itself out in the end only to be hit with punishments that have made growth impossible.
Here are some of the most relevant key pieces of security legislation that all UK companies must abide by.
Data protection
All companies in the UK must abide by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) designed to keep the personal data of customers and employees safe. As part of this legislation employers are required to take action to secure personal and private data and put cyber and physical security measures in place to prevent data leaks.
And leak or security breach that does occur must be reported immediately through the correct official channels.
Health and safety assessments
The exact legal obligations that your company will have in relation to health and safety will depend upon the sector in which you operate, the number of staff that you have on-site and the size and nature of the location itself.
Wherever you work, however, a security risk assessment is almost always required. This assessment will highlight the threats that you face and allow you to make changes to reduce the dangers to your employees and customers. It will also be used to inform health and safety training programmes and educate your staff on their own responsibilities.
Employee safety
All employers in the UK have a responsibility to protect their own employees. How this is done varies from company to company but it will normally include taking steps to guard against criminal activity such as theft and vandalism.
Such steps could include the installation of a mobile CCTV tower on a construction site or fixed CCTV in an office (you see know how security systems must be designed based on the unique security requirements of the location itself. It could also include alarm systems, access control technology and the use of manned guarding or security dogs on the site.
Tax Compliance
All companies in the UK must conform to strict tax laws and must report and pay their taxes on time and in the correct way.
Some of the taxes that every company will normally have to pay includes corporation tax and value-added tax. It is highly recommended that you consult with an experienced financial advisor or accountant to ensure you are meeting your tax obligations.
