Staying Safe on the Job
Most people don’t think of their workplace as a dangerous place to be. You go there everyday, you know the people around you and you follow a routine that pretty much guides you through your day. You worry about someone robbing or attacking you late at night when you’re coming home on the train or hustling through a dark alley. Think again. Apartments.com wants you to be safe at home, and at work, and we have uncovered some facts about workplace crime that might surprise you. Read on for tips on how to protect yourself when you’re on the job.
The Crime Report
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), workplace homicide is the leading cause of death for female workers in the United States and the second leading cause of death for men. A worker is most likely to be killed if they are in the retail industry (convenience stores, gas stations, fast food restaurants). The murders usually occur during a robbery.Â
Robberies usually occur at night, 8:00 pm to 3:00 am is the most active time frame for these crimes. This puts those in night retail positions at the highest risk. It also means that daytime work robberies are rare, but stealing (non-violent taking of others’ possessions) does happen in even the most serene and professional environments. According to a report by the U.S. Department of Justice, insider theft is growing at a rate of 15% each year. This means people are stealing from their companies and from their co-workers.
What You Can Do
Always protect yourself, no matter how safe you feel. If you work in a nighttime retail position or other job where robbery is a considerable possibility, make sure you have access to phones at all times in the event you need to call for help. Your supervisor should have security systems in place to protect you and post signs that state that no cash is available after a certain time. If possible, ask for a shift change as soon as you are able.
If you work in an office setting or other position where the public are not allowed to enter, you should take basic precautions. Lock up your personal belongings, even when you go to the bathroom. Know the emergency exit procedures and what security protocols are established for employees.Â
Be an aware employee. If you sense that another employee seems overly distressed and/or consistently blames others and denies responsibility, talk to your human resources department confidentially. Do not attempt to talk to the person yourself about your concerns, even if you know the person well. A professional intervention may be necessary.Â
Report suspicious behavior and trust your instincts. If you see someone stealing from petty cash, you have an obligation to your employer to report the person. You and your fellow employees will be the ones to suffer if theft is allowed to continue at your workplace. If you see a person that looks suspicious in your office, call security and let them do a check. It is better to be safe than sorry.
Always follow security procedures in your building. Those being allowed into your elevator or door should be required to show an ID or other proof that they are allowed in the area. Guests should be required to wear an ID after a check of their identity has been performed.Â
Protect your identity by avoiding making personal calls at work, even if you are on your break. If you must, use your cellular phone in an empty conference room. Never give out personal information such as your address, phone number, social security number or other identifying information unless asked to on an official form.
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