What are workplace threats?
Workplace threats are referred to as activities that threaten workplace security. Or, activities that threaten a workplace’s safety and security are called workplace threats.
In today’s business environment, workplace safety is more important than ever it has been. with the rise of workplace threats in recent years, it is crucial for organizations to ensure workplace safety. Organizations/employers shall take steps to mitigate risks and keep their employees safe and secure. Threats to an organization are numerous, and they’re certainly ineluctable. However, an efficient enterprise is one that not only focuses on its progress but also concentrates equally on safeguarding the company against the various threat(s) it may be subjected to. Below we will discuss some of the very common workplace threats along with tips to tackle them.
7 Types of Workplace Threats
Physical Violence
This is the top most serious threat to workplace safety. Physical violence can take many forms, from assault to armed robbery. In order to protect your employees from physical violence, you need to have a comprehensive safety plan. This could include training from your employees on how to recognize and respond to violence. Another important step in preventing workplace violence is we can also conduct background checks before onboarding a candidate for a particular role in your company. This background check can help us to know about the candidates’ past criminal history if any. Organization or employer has to ensure that the security measures are well implemented. Implementing security measures include surveillance cameras, metal detectors, and access control systems.
Another important step in preventing workplace violence is to scan government ids before entry into the premises. Scanning government ids can help employers firstly by getting details of the visitor. Secondly, with this data available we can easily track the person if required in the future.
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Cyber threats
In today’s digital age, cyber threats are a growing concern for all businesses. From data breaches to malware attacks, cybercriminals can cause serious damage to your business. To protect your business from cyber threats, it’s important that an organization or a business opt for a comprehensive plan.
Companies must understand their cybersecurity vulnerabilities to safeguard against a cyber attack. Some of the risks might be privilege abuse, data mishandling, unapproved hardware, and software etc. Some of the measures a company can take are strong passwords, firewalls, antivirus software, and regular data backups. Another important measure towards cyber attacks is training your employees on how to recognize and respond to phishing scams and other types of cyber attacks.
Workplace Violence
Another workplace threat is workplace violence. Workplace violence has been the number 1 critical issue over the last few years. According to the security magazine, workplace violence has been maintaining the top spot for critical problems in the workplace as the number 1 position. These cases have been in a surge in retail workers, teachers & health professionals, etc. In a recently published report by National Institute for occupational safety and Health and the other two agencies says that over the last 6 years workplace violence-related deaths have risen 11% from 2014.
Preventing workplace violence requires an extensive approach that can address the underlying causes and risk factors. Here are some strategies that organizations can implement:
- Prevention policy: Organizations should develop a clear workplace violence prevention policy. It should be defined in the policy what constitutes workplace violence, outline reporting procedures, and detail the consequences for violating the policy.
- Training & Education: Training and education programs are essential for educating employees and management about the risks, recognizing warning signs, and how to respond to such incidents. These programs can also provide employees with conflict-resolution skills, and de-escalation techniques and promote a culture of respect and professionalism.
- Screening and Background Checks: Screening and background checks are essential tools for identifying potentially violent individuals during the hiring process. These checks can include criminal record checks, reference checks, psychological assessments, etc.
Supply chain Disruption
In today’s interconnected global economy, supply chain disruption has become a significant concern for businesses across various industries. Disruption can arise from a range of factors. These factors could be natural disasters, political instability, pandemics, transportation issues, and more. All these disruptions can have a severe impact on a company’s operations, profitability, and also reputation.
According to a 2022 survey by Blue Yonder, 88% of businesses faced disruption in 2021 due to supply chain issues. The disruptions in supply chain management affect the productivity of various companies to a great extent. For instance, the cost to import products from China may rise to a peak in the near future. Companies and their leaders should continually assess and manage supply chain risks. Therefore, it is essential for businesses to understand the risks and implement smart strategies. Strategies shall be designed in such a way that they mitigate the effects of supply chain disruption.
Natural Disasters
Natural disasters can also pose a huge threat to workplace safety. By word natural disasters we mean hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes. To protect your employees from these types of threats, you should have an emergency response plan. This can include evacuating the building, communicating with employees (via notification), and emergency services. A visitor management system can play a pivotal role in an emergency evacuation. A visitor management system is an essential tool for ensuring the safety of any gated community in case of emergency. These systems are crucial in enabling quick and effective evacuation during emergencies. Hence, it is important for all organizations to prioritize workplace safety and have plans in place to evacuate the premises in case of an emergency. Utilizing a Visitor management system like Visitdesk can greatly aid in ensuring a smooth and safe evacuation process.
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Theft of intellectual property
Intellectual property (IP) is a non-physical asset that a person or corporation possesses. Some of the types of intellectual property are patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. IP plays a crucial role, they protect the creation of individuals and businesses. Theft of intellectual property could lead to legal issues. Hence businesses and individuals should be aware of and protect their intellectual property. Some of the ways to protect intellectual property are to document the process, apply for the trade mark and keep it a secret.
Want to read in detail about intellectual property? Click here.
Health threats
Health threats are a very prevailing threat to the workplace. With the rise of junk food, pollution, and other issues diseases are growing day by day. Organizations should plan mitigation strategies and keep themselves prepared for it.
Rahman, CTO of visitdesk.io, drives technological advancements and strategic vision. With a focus on cutting-edge solutions, Rahman spearheads the development team at visitdesk.io, shaping the future of visitor management technology.
