Ensuring Women's Safety: Best Practices for Workplace Security

The workplace security for female employees has been questionable since the recent atrocities taking place all over the nation. What’s alarming is the increasing frequency of such incidents, which highlights the urgent need for organizations to re-evaluate their safety protocols and create a more secure environment for women.

This situation not only undermines the confidence of female employees but also impacts their overall well-being and productivity. It is imperative for companies to take proactive measures, such as implementing stringent security policies, providing self-defence training, and fostering a culture of zero tolerance towards harassment, to ensure that women feel safe and valued in their workplaces.

We got you 7 robust ways to ensure women’s security in the workplace and make your workplace an inclusive and healthy place for all the employees who are proficient assets of your organization.

6 Proactive Measures to Ensure Security of Women Employees in the Workplace

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1. Pick-up Drop Facilities

In organizations where, rotational shifts or night shifts are a mandate, the company should arrange pick up and drop services for the women as well as men employees where the car driver should be accompanied by security personnel from the office. The verification of the driver’s and security’s identity should be thoroughly checked and any person possessing criminal records shall be refrained from the roles. Furthermore, female employees should be dropped first accompanied with the male colleagues and the pickup drop should be till their house gates and not en route.

Furthermore, for women employees having occasional night shifts or overtimes at office also the drop-off services should be provided to ensure their security.

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2. Implement Strict Anti-Harassment Policy

Implement stringent policies on harassment and take strict actions against the perpetrators. Additionally, ensure that all employees are well-informed about these policies and the serious repercussions of any breaches, reinforcing a zero-tolerance stance towards harassment in the workplace.

3. Seek Regular Feedback

Seek regular feedback from female as well as male employees of the organization regarding the safety policies, its significance, any alterations to be added or eliminated from the policies and the reasons to do so etc. This will help them acquire a through knowledge on the policies as well as make them feel inclusive in reoptimizing the policies as per their requirements.

4. Self-defence and Safety Training

Arrange workshops on self-defence and self-training activities that can be of great use during the time of emergencies, empowering employees to protect themselves and respond effectively in potentially dangerous situations.

5. Enhance Workplace Security

Enhance the workplace security by installing security CCTV cameras all over the office premises, installation of panic buttons, and controlled access systems. Ensure that security personnel are present, especially in areas where employees may be working late or during odd hours.

6. Flexible Work Arrangements

Offer flexible working hours, remote work options, hybrid options and safe transportation arrangements, particularly for women who may need to work late. Providing these options can reduce the risk of unsafe situations during commutes or at the workplace.

Better Safe Than Sorry!

It is far more prudent to take proactive measures to ensure the safety of women employees than to face regret over potential threats. Given the current instances of violence against women, it is crucial to establish policies that protect the dignity, respect, and esteem of female employees. In a country like India, where the nation is revered as "Mother" and the divine feminine, or "Shakti," is honoured, these values should be mirrored in corporate practices by ensuring a secure and respectful workplace for all women employees.

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