A survey conducted over 750 security officers at the Heathrow Airport revealed that one in three are planning to leave their jobs within the next six months.

A confidential survey conducted by Unite on its members found that security officers are leaving the job due to a combination of low rates of pay and a tremendously onerous working environment.

The Unite survey found that:

More than eight out of ten say they are worse off than last year

One in four say they have been forced to cut back on essentials (food, housing, energy)

One in six say they are deeper in debt after borrowing money from friends and family

Unite released a statement that said:

“The nature of the job is also a push factor: Two out of three report that they have been verbally abused by passengers in the last year.

“Nine out of ten staff say the irregular shift pattern leaves them permanently tired at work.

“One in three say constant shift work has adversely affected their physical health and family life.”

Around 1,400 security staff are currently on strike over a below-inflation pay offer from the Heathrow Airport Ltd (HAL), according to the statement.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The treatment of security guards at Heathrow is leading to their mass exodus.

“This survey reveals that many have had enough of gruelling shift work for low pay and are planning to leave.”

According to Unite research, since 2017, the average remuneration of HAL workers has fallen by 24 per cent. At the height of the pandemic in 2020, HAL fired and rehired its entire workforce, resulting in most workers suffering serious pay cuts.  

(Source: Unite)