Employees arrive at work aiming to create value for others. However, they also expect their time in the workplace to help sustain and improve their lives. As a small business owner, you want your staff to be safe and feel safe at work. Keep reading to learn key facts about workplace security and what you can do to protect your team members.
How Security Issues Impact Workers
To create a safer workplace, you must first understand your employees’ situation and how security concerns affect them. The best starting point is to ask them about their feelings and the realities they face at work.
On a broader scale, here are some key facts concerning workplace security issues:
- 78% of workers witness disrespectful or insensitive behavior at work each month, which could add to feelings of threat
- 75% of domestic violence victims experienced harassment from their abusers at work
- 58% of frontline employees believe the threat of physical harm is growing
- Nearly a third of Gen Z employees have turned down or switched jobs because of safety concerns
- Over 50% of workers who feel their employers do not prioritize their safety plan to leave within a year
- Workplace violence costs American businesses $250–$330 billion
These statistics suggest many Americans feel unsafe at work, and they’re calling for change. Most recently, a rally saw workers from 27 San Francisco library branches demanding increased security presence to counter the epidemic of threats and violence.
When a workplace feels unsafe, attracting new hires and retaining current staff become more difficult. Enhancing security is crucial for your business to build a motivated and productive team.
How to Improve Staff Safety
Here are seven tips to create a workplace where workers feel secure showing up and giving their best.
1. Conduct Risk Assessments
Conduct a risk and safety assessment of your workplace. Consider asking a reputable security company to assist you. Aim to identify and address key points of vulnerability to crime and violence.
2. Establish Reporting Procedures
Create a culture of reporting every incident of threat, violence, or crime immediately. Establish formal reporting procedures and train your team to follow them. They must know that their voices will be heard.
3. Implement Safety Training
Train all frontline employees in safety protocols so they know how to respond to threats. Focus on procedures for getting rapid, qualified help if necessary and minimizing danger to themselves.
4. Enable Emergency Communication
Give your staff communication tools to call for urgent assistance. Examples of emergency contact measures include panic buttons and mobile phones with security on speed dial.
5. Apply Firm Consistency
Institute a zero-tolerance policy for violence in the workplace. If someone reports violence or threats from a co-worker or manager, investigate immediately and enforce disciplinary measures. Ensure they feel safe from retaliation when reporting incidents.
6. Hire Top Security
Top security companies ensure their guards have extensive training to handle threatening situations and maintain safety with minimal force. Their presence acts as a crime deterrent, and they can respond urgently if needed.
7. Install Surveillance Cameras
Visible security cameras can help deter violent criminals. They also provide evidence for police reports, insurance claims, and internal investigations. Surveillance cameras can contribute to a 34% crime reduction when combined with other security measures.
Advantages of a Safer Workplace
About 70% of American employees are in frontline positions. These positions are most vulnerable to criminal violence. But the threat also represents an opportunity.
The concentration of workers on the front lines means on-site security measures improve the daily experience of most of your staff. This can have a major positive impact on your business.
Firstly, these measures communicate that you value employees and their safety. Of course, they’ll be safer from real dangers. But they’ll also receive a clear, morale-boosting message that their well-being matters.
Receiving the message that you prioritize their safety also enhances job satisfaction and productivity. When people feel safe and valued at work, they can focus on giving their best efforts and will feel more fulfilled while doing so. This culture improves retention, curbing the fears that drive workers away. Safety measures also make you a more attractive employer to new, quality recruits.
Finally, safety makes financial sense. On top of the productivity benefits, you’re securing your brand from costly personnel, stock, and customer losses due to workplace violence. Keeping valuable human and material assets safe can make a real difference in your profit margin.
Create a More Secure Environment for Your Team
Take action today to help your employees feel safer in the workplace. Everyone will be grateful, and you’ll reap the rewards of a safer, more productive workplace. The tips in this post will help you get started.
