Workplace panic button implementations are a vital security measure that every enterprise should deploy, but with more affordable software technologies being developed, even small businesses are beginning to benefit from these crucial, life-saving solutions. Workplaces often take various measures in order to ensure that their employees feel safe in their working environment. This is helpful in boosting their productivity and makes them feel more relaxed, but it also can reduce the liability of an organization based on the reduced severity and quantity of incidents that tend to occur after workplace panic button implementation.
What is a panic button?
Simply put, a panic button is a physical device or software that can be activated and send a signal to request assistance. Panic buttons come in all shapes and sizes, some are hard-wired, some are entirely cloud-based, some are obvious and do not make any attempt at looking discreet, while others take on a stealthier appearance to hide themselves from being noticed.
Personal vs workplace panic buttons
If you search for panic buttons online, chances are you'll find no shortage of companies providing a plethora of panic button products. Most of these products are meant for personal use and individual purchase by a consumer. This is important to note, because personal panic buttons are built to provide basic communication functions that do not integrate with a central security force.
Workplace panic buttons are built with enterprise roll-outs in mind. Because of this, you'll often find that these solutions offer per-button pricing plans or licenses. And even if they're hardwired panic buttons, there is usually a software interface or app that you and your security teams can access to see your panic button deployments in action.
Panic button device versatility
For some workplace panic button providers, you'll find that panic buttons are integrated within multiple devices that allow for a flexible deployment. For instance, panic buttons can be integrated into mobile safety apps, computer software, and also implemented as a small wireless device meant to be attached to keychains or lanyards.
This device flexibility ensures that your entire workplace is covered when anyone finds themselves in need of a panic button. If they're at a desktop computer, they can double click the panic button to silently activate, if they're away from a computer but have their phone handy, panic button activation is still within reach, and finally if they cannot get to their phone in time, they'll have access to their keychain panic button for quick activation.
A panic button is one of the most effective ways of keeping your employees safe from violence, whether it be from a customer, visitor or a co-worker.
The benefits of panic buttons in the workplace
Depending on the type of panic button you are installing, the benefits vary significantly. However, they fundamentally serve the same purpose.
Help the person in distress
The obvious benefit of a panic button is that it can help save a victim from violence or any emergency scenario. This can be very helpful in a workplace where a representative has to communicate with a customer face to face. This can also be useful in an office setting where the victims are at arm’s length of the perpetrator.
Reduce liability & risk
In businesses and hospitals, panic buttons help first responders reach the person in need faster, which often helps to de-escalate violent situations and ultimately reduce the severity of the potential harm done. This reduced injury rate can lower an organization's liability and reduce the cost of injury payouts.
Usually, the cost of violence in the workplace is difficult to calculate. Even with some numbers circulating in some industries out there (over $3,000 per incident in healthcare), the overall scope can be quite difficult to grasp. The bottom line when it comes to protecting your employees is this... it will cost you to ignore or undervalue employee safety.
Think of it this way; let's say you have 500 employees and an incident occurs where 2 of your employees are hurt and have to miss work for 3 weeks. Let's say this incident could have been prevented if certain security measures (such as panic button implementation) were in place. But you decided that your company already had the minimum coverage needed for this year and so the money went elsewhere in the budget.
In this scenario, you're not only going to have to eat the cost of your employees missing time, but most (if not all) of your 500 employees are going to know what just transpired. This is going to lead to employee dissatisfaction, which will inevitably lead to loss of productivity, and perhaps even some turnover due to resignations. All of a sudden, this little incident, which you thought only cost you several thousand dollars, is actually costing you hundreds of thousands of dollars, maybe more.
This is why it's so important for workplaces to be protect in advance. You not only protect your employees from violence, but you protect your organization's bottom line as well.
Conclusion
Workplace panic buttons are one of the most important parts of any company’s security, as it can send help for the victim almost instantly. Moreover, it is not limited to any specific organization, and is great for a variety of different companies. Your employees feel safe and productive when you have installed or provided workplace panic buttons for them to use. But the direct benefits extend to the company as well, as panic buttons are one of the most effective technologies at reducing organizational liability and reducing workplace risk factors that can cost the company money.
Check out more workplace violence prevention resources.