How to Reduce Risk in the Workplace

Employees expect much more than a steady paycheck and professional development from their jobs. Although it is almost certainly expected, security is rarely discussed in the interview process or in weekly team meetings. However, it goes without saying that employees have an expectation of safety when they are in the workplace.

As an employer, you are responsible for providing a safe work environment. This means there are any number of threats that you must consider on a day-to-day basis, including violence, theft, harassment and even cyber-attacks.

How can you keep your employees safe and your business successful? A robust security plan that addresses some of your most common threats not only protects your people and assets, but it can also create a more positive and productive work environment. Employees who feel secure and believe that their employers are looking out for their best interests will have an overall more positive view of their work, higher morale and increased productivity.

As more and more businesses are opening their doors to employees, it is in your best interest to ensure that you are reducing risk. Here are 3 tips that can help you protect your office space and your employees while boosting morale and productivity.

3 Security Tips to Reduce Risk in Your Office

Preparation is key. 

Thinking about security only after an incident occurs leaves your business vulnerable. Don't wait for an event to happen. Instead, prepare your business and your employees for a variety of threats they may face.

Have security procedures and protocols written down and easily accessible to all employees. Ensure that all staff members receive training on these policies during their onboarding and periodically throughout the lifecycle of their employment. Conducting drills and mock security threat scenarios can help your employees feel more confident when handling a situation if it were to occur. It can also give you as the business owner an opportunity to see where there are holes in your security plan.

Monitor access.

If an individual attempts to perpetrate a crime in your office space, chances are they haven't dug a tunnel underground to access the building. Most likely, they have entered through one of your primary access points. Many will even look like authorized employees, guests or vendors.

It is critical that you develop access policies and that they are followed without exception at all times. Establish an identification badge or other system to ensure that only authorized individuals access the property. Keeping logs of all visitors can help identify people who have infiltrated your systems. 

Hire professional security guards to monitor your access points. Security experts know how to identify suspicious behavior such as asking probing questions. Security guards can be your best defense in multiple ways. Not only are they specially trained at identifying threats, but often the mere presence of a guard at your door can deter a would-be criminal.

Hire new employees with care.

While employers put plenty of time and money into the hiring process, it is critical that you do your due diligence no matter how much time or money it costs. Employees who have not been properly vetted could expose you and your company to liabilities and make you a target for theft. Employees that have access to money, intellectual property or valuable merchandise should have a background check to ensure there are no red flags.

Even solid employees can make bad decisions if they are dealing with challenging personal or professional issues. Workplace violence can have a devastating impact on the morale of your company and the reputation of your business. Train managers to identify behaviors that may indicate a potential workplace violence issue, such as lashing out, irritability or verbal threats. 

Work with a professional security guard company.

Security is not reserved for only one type of business. Businesses of all sizes and across all industries could benefit from creating security protocols and working with a professional security guard company. Security guards are highly trained professionals who can help ensure that you are providing a safe and productive work environment. Without them, you run the risk of putting your people in harm's way.

Off Duty Officers has been leading the industry by providing professionally trained and highly experienced off duty and retired law enforcement and military personnel and standard guards to businesses for over 25 years. If you are concerned that your business is at risk, contact our security specialists today to obtain an instant quote and to discuss your security options.