Human Resources (HR)

10 Ways Employers Are Prepared for the Worst

Anne Killian

During my morning commute, I’m usually thinking about my to-do list for the day, how to avoid the next traffic jam or what to make for dinner that night. I’ve spent my drive time thinking about a lot of things, but never a threat occurring after I pull into the parking lot at work.

We were curious if our International Foundation members had ever thought about workplace threats like workplace violence, cyber attacks, natural disasters, disease outbreaks or terror threats. We surveyed our members and gained some surprising insights.

3-16_Ten-Ways-Prepared-Worst

 

The 2015 Workplace Threats survey revealed their No. 1 workplace threat concern – 37% selected cyber attack, followed by internal data security breach (25%) and workplace violence (19%).

We also found that workplaces are prepared for threats and have preventive measures in place. How are workplaces prepared? Check out the top 10 list below:

  1. 69% of employers encourage sick employees not to come to work.
  2. 63% of organizations restrict access to electronic files.
  3. 62% of organizations have a plan to communicate with and account for all workers in an emergency.
  4. 62% of organizations have hand sanitizer available throughout the worksite to keep germs and illnesses from spreading.
  5. 56% of organizations have an evacuation plan in place.
  6. 53% of workplaces offer free flu shots.
  7. 44% of organizations have a mobile device at work policy.
  8. 39% of organizations have an alternate worksite established in the event of a natural disaster.
  9. 28% of organizations have a weapons/guns policy.
  10. 21% of organizations have security guards to help protect against illegal and dangerous threats.

The Workplace Threats Survey also looked at employee communication, work privacy, the disease causing the most concern, post incident resources and concern over threats during the past five years. View the full survey by visiting www.ifebp.org/workplacethreats.

With a plan in place, you’re prepared for potential threats at work. So you can get back to thinking about dinner on your drive home.


Anne Killian
Communications Associate at the International Foundation

 

Anne Patterson

Communications Associate at the International Foundation

Favorite Foundation service/product: The innovative member survey efforts and results from the research team.

Benefits related topics that interest her most: Healthcare (especially the inner workings of the Affordable Care Act), non-traditional wellness initiatives, employee benefit communication

Personal Insight: It’s all about balance with Anne. She loves to run and enjoys a good culinary adventure. She’ll jump at the chance to travel or to spend fun times with family and friends, but she’ll also take time to catch her breath with an occasional Netflix binge or diving into a classic novel.

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