Too often employees either have an experience that makes them feel unsafe during their day to day work or whilst commuting.
This is happening for all employees whether they are in front line and lone working roles or not.
A lone worker is 'someone who works by themselves without direct or close supervision'.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that the worker is physically alone; it means they are in a separate location to the rest of their team or manager.
For example, a retail worker putting stock away by themselves is classed as a lone worker the same as a healthcare worker entering someone’s home.
If an employee cannot be seen or heard by a colleague, they are a lone worker – whether that be for all or part of their working day.
As of March 2020, this also includes staff who work from home.
They exist in all sectors, including those who:
work by themselves away from a fixed base
work on the same premises but out of sight and sound of a colleague
work outside normal working hours
work alone but alongside members of the public or in populated locations
work from home
travel alone during work hours
are left alone for periods of time
Delivery driver Engineer Estate agent Cleaner Security guard Parking enforcement officer Community nurse Salesperson Hotel receptionist Petrol station operative Housing officer Lab scientist
Nearly three quarters (72%) of hybrid workers have thought about their safety compared to 59% of onsite workers and 46% of employees who work entirely from home.
For many organisations, the solution to improve the health and safety of employees is a crucial one that cannot be undertaken lightly.
Justifying the cost, demonstrating real value and a tangible increase in safety and protection are crucial.
The following few pages put forward clear financial, legal and moral arguments for investment in an employee safety service.
