You’ve probably seen businesses adopting various measures to improve workplace safety and security, from tough-looking glass doors to commercial roller shutters. Although the main goal of security measures in businesses is to keep the “bad guys” out, such measures also impact workers’ productivity. It is important for workers to feel safe in their working environment to give off their best. Understandably, when employees work in constant apprehension, discomfort, or worry about their physical and online safety, their performance will drop. Therefore, workplace security measures and productivity go hand-in-hand, and this is highlighted in various ways. 

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The first way is through online security. Some experts have argued that stringent IT security measures can be counterproductive. Many draw their argument from a Dell-sponsored survey that examined the impact of security on workforce productivity. 91% of the business users in that survey indicated that their productivity is negatively impacted by employer security measures, while 92% believe limits in remote access policies negatively impact their performance.  

With that in mind, at first glance, it may seem like security measures in the workplace may hinder employee productivity. This is to be expected when you consider measures like restricted access to some websites, complex or complicated passwords, regular security updates that workers need to keep up with, name them. 

However, a closer examination will reveal quite the contrary, as enhanced workplace security measures can boost productivity and increase work performance. Instead of looking at various IT security strategies as necessary evils, the right strategies go hand-in-hand with increased productivity. With solutions like automated cybersecurity, working with IT specialists, using VPN networks, and operating on established internet guidelines, employers can help their workers feel more secure online. That means, instead of the company or workers spending time and money to deal with online threats, they can channel those efforts on tasks that directly grow the business. 

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The second way is through physical workplace safety. As mentioned earlier, most businesses invest in secured doors, double glazed display windows, security cameras, the use of safes, and so on, to make their working environment feel more safe and secure. While such measures help secure the company’s physical assets, they also make workers feel a lot more at ease. This is especially important in businesses operating in areas with high crime rates. 

Beyond the business premises, some companies also invest in vehicles that convey their workers from their homes to the business premises and vice versa. Such measures make workers feel safe and comfortable enough to give off their best in the workplace. And speaking of feeling safe, the third point is also crucial.

Research shows a link between productivity, health, and safety. Workers are more likely to give off their best when there is strong evidence that their employers have put measures in place to secure their health. For example, the availability of health insurance packages, personal protective equipment, measures to minimise danger and prevent various health hazards, amongst others, can all offer some level of health security.