Workplace Respect & Social Awareness Training

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

A recent incident of a special needs child being barred from Sunder Nursery and being told ‘Iska dimaag theek nahi hai’ by a security guard has sparked a heated debate on the lack of empathy and sensitivity training of security guards. Source : Hindustan Times , News18 , India today, Times Now

In today’s competitive urban market, choosing the right Security Agency is no longer just about manpower strength or deployment speed. Corporates, residential societies, hotels, hospitals, and industrial facilities are looking for something more refined — behavioural professionalism, cultural sensitivity, and reputational safety.

A modern Security Agency must provide not only trained guards, but socially aware, emotionally disciplined, and culturally sensitive professionals.

This article explains why Workplace Respect & Social Awareness Training is a critical differentiator for any professional Security Agency, and how it directly benefits clients

Why a Modern Security Agency Must Go Beyond Physical Security

A traditional security guard role focused on Gate control, Visitor entry, Patrol duties and Incident reporting. However, today’s environment demands much more.A professional Security Agency must ensure that guards

• Represent the client’s brand image
• Communicate respectfully
• Avoid discriminatory language
• Understand cultural diversity
• Handle sensitive interactions calmly

In a modern urban environment, even a single inappropriate comment can lead to HR complaints, reputational damage, and contract review.

That is why Behavioural & Sensitivity Training needs to be integrated as a core operational pillar of every Security Agency standards.

Understanding the Cultural Gap: Why Training Is Necessary

Many security guards deployed by any Security Agency in India come from small towns and villages. This is not a weakness — it is a reflection of India’s workforce structure.

However, in smaller communities:

• Language is informal
• Teasing is considered friendly
• Exposure to diversity is limited
• Interaction with foreign nationals is rare
• LGBTQ+ awareness may be minimal
• Mental health awareness is limited

When inappropriate slang is used, it is often not driven by malice. It stems from lack of exposure.

A responsible Security Agency does not punish first — it educates first.

Thus there is a need to bridge this cultural gap through structured training modules, ensuring guards transition smoothly from village informality to corporate professionalism.

The Power — and Danger — of Words

Language shapes workplace culture. Words spoken lightly can cause heavy consequences.

Certain terms that are casually used in informal environments become deeply offensive in professional settings. For example:

• Referring to someone with mental illness as “pagal”
• Using racial slurs for people from North East India
• Mocking accents of South Indian employees
• Using regional identity as an insult
• Commenting on physical disabilities in a humorous tone

These words may be spoken without malicious intent. However, intention does not erase impact.

Mental health is a medical matter, not a joke. Regional identity is a matter of pride, not ridicule. Disability is a physical condition, not entertainment.

Urban companies increasingly enforce zero-tolerance policies toward discriminatory behaviour. A single complaint can lead to removal from the site. Repeated incidents can damage an agency’s reputation permanently.

Professional language is not about being politically correct. It is about being professionally secure.

Regional Sensitivity: A Must for Any Professional Security Agency

Urban workplaces include employees and visitors from across India. in today’s multicultural society we have people from every corner of the nation working in the cities. From the northeast states to the southern part of India to the coastal regions of the west. Each of these regions carries its own linguistic identity, physical features, traditions, and sensitivities. What may sound casual in a rural setting can sound discriminatory in an urban workplace. Professional respect means recognising this diversity and responding with maturity.Respect is not about fear or formality alone. It is about dignity — acknowledging that every individual deserves to be addressed as a human being first.

A high-standard Security Agency must train guards to:

• Avoid regional stereotypes
• Avoid accent mocking
• Use formal address (Sir/Madam)
• Maintain neutral communication

Regional respect is not political correctness. It is professional discipline.

Sensitivity Toward the LGBTQ+ Community

Urban India has become more open and legally protective of LGBTQ+ individuals. Following the landmark judgment by the Supreme Court of India decriminalising consensual same-sex relationships, workplaces increasingly emphasise inclusivity.

Security guards may encounter:

• Same-sex couples
• Transgender individuals
• Gender-nonconforming persons

In small towns, exposure to such identities may have been minimal. Curiosity, staring, whispering, or laughing can feel natural in unfamiliar situations — but in professional environments, such reactions are inappropriate.

Professional standards require:

• No staring
• No commentary
• No jokes
• No intrusive questions

The rule is simple:

Treat everyone with the same dignity.

Personal beliefs do not override workplace professionalism.

Interaction with Foreign Nationals & Visitors

Modern India is host to many foreign nationals and visitors which include students, business executives, diplomats etc. Security staff encounters many such people of different race, skin tone, hair. Guards from small towns may not have previously interacted with such foreign nationals. Differences in skin colour, accent, or appearance can trigger curiosity or informal remarks.

However:

• Commenting on skin colour is discriminatory
• Staring is disrespectful
• Jokes based on race are unacceptable

Professional security behaviour demands neutrality.

A visitor is a visitor — not a spectacle..

Body Shaming, Fat Shaming & Appearance-Based Remarks

In many rural communities, people casually refer to others as “Mota”, “Patla”, “Kaala”, “Gora”. These are often used without negative intention. However, in corporate settings, body-based comments are classified as harassment. Body shaming can affect mental health of the person. It can trigger complaints and damage the company’s reputation. A professional guard must never comment on weight, height, skin colour, or physical features.The only relevant observation is whether the visitor follows access protocol.

Mental Health & Disability Awareness

In rural settings, awareness of mental health conditions is limited. Words like “pagal” are often used casually. Mental health awareness is increasing across India. Terms casually used in villages to describe unusual behaviour can be deeply offensive in urban settings.

In modern workplaces, such language is unacceptable. Mental health is a medical matter. Disability is not weakness.

Professional alternatives include:

• “Are you feeling okay?”
• “May I assist you?”

Respectful language reflects maturity.

Women’s Safety & Professional Conduct

Women occupy leadership positions across industries. A security guard’s conduct around women is closely monitored.

Professional standards include:

• Maintaining appropriate physical distance
• Avoiding personal questions
• Refraining from compliments
• Ensuring privacy
• Offering assistance respectfully

Even unintended comments can lead to formal complaints.

In modern workplaces, prevention is better than explanation.

Emotional Intelligence: The Mark of a Premium Security Agency

Security duty can be demanding. Long hours, weather exposure, and difficult visitors create stress.

However, emotional reactions often lead to inappropriate speech.

Professional guards practice:

• Pausing before responding
• Keeping voice calm
• Avoiding arguments
• Escalating disputes to supervisors
• Maintaining neutral body language

Emotional discipline differentiates trained professionals from untrained manpower. Emotional control should be a part of the training framework.

Why Sensitivity Training Protects Client Interests

Corporate clients prioritise risk management. Behavioural risks can be as damaging as physical security failures. Insensitive behaviour can result in HR escalations, client dissatisfaction, online complaints, contract termination and loss of reputation.

A well-trained guard reduces complaints, enhances client confidence, strengthens brand image and Improves retention rates

Professional behaviour becomes a business asset.

Training Module – Samvedansheel Vyavahar Prashikshan (संवेदनशील व्यवहार प्रशिक्षण)

So how do we implement such training? Here is brief script for educate the security staff

Part 1 – Why Respect Matters

Trainer Script (Simple Hindi)

“Gaon mein hum sab ek jaise hote hain. Sheher mein alag-alag rajyon, dharmon aur parivaron ke log saath kaam karte hain. Yahan zubaan aur vyavahar se company ka naam banta hai — ya bigadta hai.”

Explain:

• One wrong word = complaint
• Complaint = contract loss
• Contract loss = job risk

Make it business-oriented, not moral lecture.

Part 2 – Words That Hurt

Trainer writes on board:

❌ Pagal
❌ Chinky
❌ Andha / Langda (mocking tone)
❌ Bihari (as insult)
❌ Madrasi (for all South Indians)

Then ask:

“अगर कोई आपको ‘गंवार’ कहे तो कैसा लगेगा?”

Let them answer.

Key Message:

• हर व्यक्ति की इज्जत होती है
• बीमारी मज़ाक नहीं है
• किसी के चेहरे, रंग, बोली पर टिप्पणी नहीं

Explain difference between:

• मज़ाक vs अपमान

Part 3 – Urban Workplace Behaviour

DO’s

✅ Use “Sir / Madam”
✅ Say “Ji” respectfully
✅ Stay neutral in religion & politics
✅ Treat women respectfully
✅ Avoid personal comments

DON’Ts

❌ Don’t comment on looks
❌ Don’t imitate accents
❌ Don’t laugh at disabilities
❌ Don’t create regional groups

Explain:
Urban companies prefer professional behaviour, not village-style teasing.

Part 4 – Role Play

Scenario 1

Guard says: “Arre yeh toh pagal hai.”

Trainer asks:
What should he say instead?

Correct answer:

• “Shayad unko medical help ki zarurat hai.”
• Or simply avoid labeling.

Scenario 2

Worker says: “Yeh chinky log…”

Trainer corrects:

• “Unka naam use karo.”
• “North East se hain.”

Role play makes bigger impact than lecture.

Part 5 – Commitment Oath

Have everyone repeat:

“Main pratigya karta hoon ki main apne shabdon aur vyavahar se company ka samman badhaunga, kisi ka apmaan nahi karunga, aur har vyakti ki izzat karunga.”

This creates psychological commitment.

Important: How To Deliver It Effectively

• Don’t shame them
• Don’t use English-heavy language
• Use relatable examples
• Keep tone firm but respectful

Conclusion: Discipline of Speech Is Discipline of Mind

Security personnel operate on the front lines of India’s urban transformation. They guard assets, control access, and maintain order. But beyond physical security lies social responsibility.

A professional guard understands that:

• Words carry weight
• Tone builds trust
• Respect builds reputation
• Discipline protects employment

In a diverse and evolving society, social awareness is not optional. It is the foundation of sustainable professionalism.

The future of security services will not be defined only by vigilance and physical presence. It will be defined by behaviour, sensitivity, and cultural intelligence.

And that transformation begins with one simple principle:

Speak with respect. Act with dignity. Represent with pride.

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