SUSS - USE Survey on Security Officers

The Centre for Applied Research at SUSS, in collaboration with the Union of Security Employees (USE) conducted a study that tracks changes in wages, work prospects and welfare of security officers in Singapore. Through conducting face‐to‐face surveys with the security officers, there is a better understanding of the challenges faced by people working in this industry, such as low wages, long working hours, and public abuse. The findings will give insights on how the industry can intervene to uplift the service standards of the sector, and bring in higher renumeration and better workplace environment for the workers. In particular, we are interested to track how the wages have moved over the years, identify the advancement in the officers' welfare, and also track sentiments towards job prospects of security officers.

Highlights of Survey Findings

• Study to look at work conditions, abuse faced by security officers (The Straits Times)
• Security officers' median basic monthly pay up $120 from 2018: Poll (The Straits Times)

Applied Learning Education in SUSS is Grounded in the Core Philosophy of 'Head, Heart, Habit'

The project provided students with an opportunity to conduct fieldwork, analysis, and report writing. Students conducted one‐to‐one interviews with the security officers to gain a more indepth understanding on a profession that is less well understood by the public. This experience helps nurture empathy among students, encourage them to be conscious of others who have a more challenging workplace experience, and ignite the desire to make positive changes for this vulnerable community. Apart from fieldwork experience, students were exposed to other end‐to‐end processes, such as data analysis, report writing, and client engagement. Students also acquired skills that can boost their professional competencies and job‐readiness to prepare them for employment after graduation.