Retail Security Officer
OCS
From £12.21 per hour
Verwood, Dorset, BH31, United Kingdom
The Breakroom Take
- Pays all ages fairly
About OCS
OCS is a facilities management company. Their services include catering, cleaning, front-of-house and waste management.
Job description from OCS
OCS UK & Ireland is a leading facilities management company with 50,000+ colleagues and a turnover in excess of £2bn. We deliver innovative, award-winning services within facilities management, hard services, cleaning, security and catering.
Our mission is to make people and places the best they can be for our colleagues, customers and the communities we serve. Our commitment to doing business the right way is rooted in our TRUE values - Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment.
About The Role:
Days of Working - 1200 - 2200 Monday to Friday
As a Retail Security Officer, you will play a vital role in protecting customers, staff, and stock, ensuring a safe and secure shopping environment. You will act as a visible deterrent to criminal activity, provide excellent customer service, and respond effectively to incidents within the retail environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as a visible security presence within the store, deterring theft and anti-social behaviour.
- Conduct regular patrols of the store premises, ensuring safety and security at all times.
- Monitor CCTV and other security equipment to identify and respond to suspicious activities.
- Carry out searches of individuals if required in accordance with company policies.
- Respond to alarms and incidents promptly, escalating issues to management or law enforcement as necessary.
- Complete detailed and accurate incident and observation reports.
- Liaise with store management and staff to address security concerns or potential threats.
- Customer Service
- Provide a professional and welcoming approach to customers, staff, and visitors.
- Assist customers with directions or queries where needed.
- De-escalate confrontational situations calmly and professionally.
- Compliance and Support
- Ensure compliance with all site-specific procedures, company policies, and legal requirements.
- Support the wider security team and assist with additional duties as requested by the Site Supervisor or Security Manager.
Purpose of the Role
As a Retail Security Officer, you will play a vital role in protecting customers, staff, and stock, ensuring a safe and secure shopping environment. You will act as a visible deterrent to criminal activity, provide excellent customer service, and respond effectively to incidents within the retail environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as a visible security presence within the store, deterring theft and anti-social behaviour.
- Conduct regular patrols of the store premises, ensuring safety and security at all times.
- Monitor CCTV and other security equipment to identify and respond to suspicious activities.
- Carry out searches of individuals if required in accordance with company policies.
- Respond to alarms and incidents promptly, escalating issues to management or law enforcement as necessary.
- Complete detailed and accurate incident and observation reports.
- Liaise with store management and staff to address security concerns or potential threats.
- Customer Service
- Provide a professional and welcoming approach to customers, staff, and visitors.
- Assist customers with directions or queries where needed.
- De-escalate confrontational situations calmly and professionally.
- Compliance and Support
- Ensure compliance with all site-specific procedures, company policies, and legal requirements.
- Support the wider security team and assist with additional duties as requested by the Site Supervisor or Security Manager.
Essential Requirements
- Valid SIA License - Door Supervisor (DS) or Security Guarding required.
- Strong observational skills with the ability to identify suspicious behaviour.
- Proven ability to handle difficult situations calmly and professionally.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills for reporting and interactions.
- A proactive and professional approach to ensuring safety and security.
- Flexibility to work varied shifts, including weekends and evenings.
How to Apply:
If you are interested in joining a business that encourages professional development, career progression and the chance to work with inspirational people then please click apply and register your interest! You can also sign up to our job alerts when registering which will notify you when other suitable vacancies are available.
We are an equal opportunities employer and rely on a diverse workforce with a broad range of knowledge, skills, and backgrounds to deliver our goals. We offer an inclusive and welcoming environment and actively encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age.
Job insights from Breakroom
Security guards
Security guards make sure that people, buildings and valuables are safe
What you’ll do as a security guard:
- Be alert and observant
- Be polite and deal with customers or the general public
- Be responsible for public safety and security
- Pass background checks and required tests
Is it right for you?
This job may involve:
- Standing
- Sitting
- Physical activities
- Using a computer
- Anti-social hours
- Night work
- Wearing a uniform
- Working alone
- Wearing protective clothing
- Working alone
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What employees say
Pay
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Okay
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Only some people are paid a living wage
Do OCS pay security officers enough to live on?
Some people are not paid a living wage.
How we know this
35% of people say they are paid below the Real Living Wage for where they live.Based on data from 62 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and February 2026.
Why this matters
Everyone should be paid enough to live on.
The Real Living Wage is a voluntary rate employers can sign up to that is based on the real cost of living.
The current rates are £12.60 per hour, and £13.85 per hour in London.
Find out more in our explainer about the Real Living Wage.
Okay
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Only some people are paid market rates
Do OCS pay security officers market rates?
Only some people are paid above average for their job.
How we know this
50% of people are paid below average for the type of work they do.Based on data from 66 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and February 2026.
Why this matters
Pay can vary a lot between types of job. Employers should be ensuring that the rates their staff are paid are in line with similar roles elsewhere.
Good
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Most people get paid breaks
Do security officers at OCS get paid breaks?
Yes. Most people get paid breaks.
How we know this
72% of people say they get paid breaks.Based on data from 60 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and February 2026.
Why this matters
A good job should have paid breaks.
You should be paid for all your time at work, whether you’re on a break or not.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t get sick pay
Do OCS pay security officers sick pay?
No. Most people don’t get proper sick pay.
How we know this
97% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.Based on data from 65 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and February 2026.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off without worrying.
At a good job you should still get paid if you’re scheduled to work but can’t due to sickness. Your contract should say how many sick days you can take each year.
This is more than the legal minimum, which says you should only get paid if you are unwell for 4 full days. See Citizens Advice for more details.
Okay
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Some people do unpaid extra work
Do security officers at OCS do extra work that they don't get paid for?
Sometimes. Some people do unpaid extra work.
How we know this
35% of people report that they do extra work that they don’t get paid for.Based on data from 55 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and January 2026.
Why this matters
Everyone should get paid for any extra work they do, even if it is outside your contracted hours. At a good job, you should be paid for all the time you spend at work.
Hours and flexibility
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Okay
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Less than 4 weeks notice of shifts
How much notice do security officers get of their shift pattern at OCS?
Only some people get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working.
How we know this
- 31% of people with changing schedules report getting one week notice or less.
- 6% of people with changing schedules report getting two weeks notice.
- 16% of people with changing schedules report getting three weeks notice.
- 47% of people with changing schedules report getting four weeks notice or more.
Based on data from 32 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and January 2026.
Why this matters
At a good job, you get plenty of notice about when you’re working.
This makes it easy for you to plan the rest of life, as well as your finances, because you know how much you’ll be working and when.
Good
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Most people don’t worry about their hours
Do security officers at OCS worry about hours?
Most people don’t worry about getting enough hours.
How we know this
84% of people report they don’t worry about getting enough hours.Based on data from 62 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and January 2026.
Why this matters
At a good job, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting enough hours each week.
A good job should guarantee you a minimum number of hours in a contract, if you want it.
This makes it easier to plan your finances, because you know how much you’ll be earning.
Okay
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Only some people get a choice of shifts
Do security officers at OCS get to choose the shifts they work?
Some people don’t get enough choice over which shifts they work.
How we know this
63% report that their manager doesn’t give them enough choice over which shifts they work.Based on data from 54 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and January 2026.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.
Okay
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Can be hard to change shifts
How easy is it for security officers at OCS to change shifts?
Some people find it hard to change shifts.
How we know this
65% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need to.Based on data from 34 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and January 2026.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. It should be easy to change a shift if you need to, whether that’s in an emergency or for planning ahead.
Good
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Easy to book holiday
How easy is it for security officers to book a holiday at OCS?
Most people find it easy to book holiday.
How we know this
75% of people report it’s easy to book holidays.Based on data from 60 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and January 2026.
Why this matters
A good job should let you take time off when you need it, and it shouldn’t be a nightmare to arrange.
Good
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Shifts don’t get changed at short notice
Do OCS managers change security officers shifts at short notice?
Most managers don’t change people’s shifts at short notice.
How we know this
81% of people say their manager doesn’t changes their shifts at the last minute.Based on data from 59 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and January 2026.
Why this matters
If your manager is often changing your shifts at short notice that’s a sign of poor planning. At a good job you won’t be messed around at the last minute.
Okay
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Some people find it hard to take sick leave
How easy is it for security officers to take sick leave at OCS?
Some people find it hard to take sick leave.
How we know this
43% of people report that it’s hard to take time off if they are sick.Based on data from 51 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and February 2026.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off when you need to.
A good job should support you when you’re unwell and have systems in place that will allow you to take time off to recover when you need it.
Okay
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Only some parents say it’s good
Is working as security officers at OCS good if you have caring responsibilities?
Only some parents and carer say this is a good place to work.
How we know this
56% of people who care for a child or other relative report this isn’t a good place to work.Based on data from 34 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
Whether it’s looking after children or caring for a relative, a good job should support your responsibilities outside of work.
Workplace
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Okay
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Only some people feel treated with respect
Do security officers at OCS feel treated with respect by their managers?
Some people don’t feel treated with respect by their managers.
How we know this
44% of people say they’re not treated with respect by their managers.Based on data from 55 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and February 2026.
Why this matters
Everyone should get treated with respect by their managers. You shouldn’t feel discriminated against or bullied, and if you have a problem you should be able to speak to someone about it.
Okay
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Only some people get proper breaks
Do security officers at OCS get proper breaks?
Some people don’t get proper breaks.
How we know this
66% of people report that they don’t get to take proper breaks.Based on data from 61 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and February 2026.
Why this matters
When you take a break it should be a proper rest. It should last the full duration and you shouldn’t get pulled off it.
Okay
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Some people are stressed
Is it stressful for security officers to work at OCS?
Some people feel stressed here.
How we know this
62% of people say they often feel stressed at work.Based on data from 60 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and February 2026.
Why this matters
Work isn’t always easy, but if you’re frequently feel stressed, that’s not good.
Your employer should support you with enough people and resources to get your job done without feeling overwhelmed.
Okay
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Only some people enjoy their job
Do security officers at OCS enjoy their jobs?
Only some people enjoy their job.
How we know this
39% of people report they don’t enjoy their job.Based on data from 46 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and February 2026.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t recommend their team
Do security officers at OCS recommend working with their team?
Not many people recommend working with their team.
How we know this
68% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.Based on data from 66 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and February 2026.
Why this matters
A good job means enjoying the place where you work.
The people you work with every day really matter. They can be the difference between a terrible day and a great one.
If you’d recommend your team to a friend, this shows that something’s going right.
Okay
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Only some people get enough training
Do security officers get enough training when they start at OCS?
Some people didn’t get enough training when they started.
How we know this
48% of people report they didn’t get enough training when they started working here.Based on data from 62 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and February 2026.
Why this matters
A good job should give you good training when you start, not just drop you in at the deep end.
This means that you’ll be happier and more productive from day one and shows that your employer values you.
It’s also very important if your job involves anything that could be dangerous. Good training from the outset keeps you and your team safe.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t get support to progress
Are security officers given support to progress at OCS?
Most people aren’t given support to progress here.
How we know this
In the last year, 77% of people report not being given an opportunity to get better at their job, learn a new skill, learn to manage a team or get more responsibility in their role.Based on data from 56 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and January 2026.
Why this matters
A good job should help you progress at work, if you want to. That might be supporting you to get better at the job you currently have, learn something new, manage a team or take on more responsibilities.
This means you’ll be able to build on your skills and experience, and earn more money.
Needs improving
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Head office doesn’t understand what’s happening
Do security officers think OCS head office understands what's happening where they work?
Most people think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.
How we know this
87% of people think that this employer’s head office or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.Based on data from 63 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and February 2026.
Why this matters
At a good job, the role of head office should be to support the people on the frontline serving customers.
To do that properly, the company’s owners or head office need to have a good understanding of what’s really happening on the frontline. This is especially important when a company owns multiple locations.
Okay
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Only some people feel well informed by head office
Do security officers feel well informed about how OCS is doing?
Only some people feel well informed about how the company is doing.
How we know this
66% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.Based on data from 59 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and January 2026.
Why this matters
At a good job, there should be a supportive relationship between the people working on the frontline serving customers and the people who own the company or work in head office.
You should be kept informed about how the company is doing as a whole, both in good times and when things get tough for the business.
What OCS employees say about their job
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Best thing
Nothing,
Worst thing
The supervisors and management do not communicate with one another.
Employee at OCS, May 2025
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Best thing
Going home
Worst thing
You're just admitted number
Domestic assistant at OCS, March 2025
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