While any job can come with its fair share of risks, the recent pandemic offers organizations new opportunities for seeking corporate risk assessment consulting assistance. This past year has posed new challenges to employers, from the need to review their physical security measures to updating their policies on workplace violence. Few businesses have been spared impact of some sort.
What Should Corporations do to Reduce Risk as Employees are Hired or Return to Work?
“Workplace safety” is, in these times, a rather fluid topic. Some businesses have focused on facility safety (desk spacing, restricted access, workspace ventilation) while others have focused more heavily on behaviors (policies for masking, symptom self-assessment and testing). But the layers of risk brought about by the pandemic have shown themselves to be far more than catching or spreading disease. Some employers might focus on data breaches from increased remote work. A recent article in Security Magazine focused on conflict resolution, highlighting the need for a refreshed look at violence prevention as more employees come back to the physical workplace.
There are a number of additional people-related risks to consider in the “new normal” world of employees back in the workplace. Many businesses across industries have been citing an inability to find workers. In the rush to keep their doors open, this can lead to businesses cutting corners on background checks or skimping on proper onboarding training. This oft-stated shortage of workers has also significantly impacted supply chain, which can in turn impact supply chain security. No industry, regardless of products or services, is immune to this spectrum of risk.
Christopher Hagon, founding partner of IMG GlobalSecur, an international security consulting firm, offers these tips to organizations that are still finding their “new normal.”
First, says Hagon, businesses should ensure a proper assessment is done to identify their highest priority risks as employees return to work: protecting people from the spread of illness or from violence, i.e. or protecting significant assets, or risks to supply chain or logistics.
Next, they should review their end-to-end business continuity plans and adjust as needed to accommodate any changes to workplace or employee base.
Once those elements are fully completed, according to Hagon, employers should implement best practices that include ongoing, multi-disciplinary and global risk assessment, where appropriate. Policies and protocols should always accurately reflect changes occurring in this fluid return-to-work environment.
Further, adds Hagon, organizations must focus on the people side of workplace security, ensuring behaviors are consistent with policy and protocols and managing any adverse incidents appropriately.
In summary, as organizations execute their particular return-to-work strategies, safety and security risk assessment should remain a continuous element. From facility security and access controls to incident prevention and response, employers should be considering the value of safety and security risk assessments to help find and mitigate any return-to-work red flags.
Learn More About Corporate Risk Assessment Consulting
Workplace safety continues to be a significant issue, and security professionals should take steps to assess their needs on an ongoing basis. Please click to learn more about the corporate risk assessment consulting services offered by IMG.
About IMG GlobalSecur
IMG GlobalSecur is a leading firm in international and workplace security. Corporate or business organizations concerned about the need for detailed and robust international security planning can reach out to IMG GlobalSecur for assistance. The company’s expert consultants provide executive, employee, PIP, and expatriate travel security, threat and risk assessments, crisis management planning, and more.