Lone worker monitoring systems use real-time data to monitor your employees and help keep them safe. As valuable as these solutions are with regards to health and safety, we often hear people express concerns about the “big brother” factor.
Employees may worry about being “spied on,” and H&S Managers are wary of unintentionally disrupting company culture.
In reality, when an employer’s intentions are genuine, and the lone worker solutions are introduced strategically, “big brother” becomes a positive presence for businesses and workers rather than a negative one.
In this blog, we will explore the privacy concerns your employees may have, the benefits of lone worker solutions, and go over some tips to help H&S Managers get everyone on board with GPS tracking for worker safety.
Big Brother Is Watching…
No matter how diligent and safety-conscious your workers are, they are still more vulnerable when working alone. Employers have a legal (and moral) obligation to keep their staff safe, and one of the best ways to do this is by using the best tools and equipment possible.
GPS-based tools are the answer for many businesses. They allow managers to see where their staff are at any time and provide a range of advanced monitoring tools beyond that if required.
However, for many people, there is still a negative perception about being monitored on the job. Employees may worry that these digital solutions will be used to measure their performance or track activities unrelated to health and safety, which is a valid concern.
That’s why it is essential to make a distinction between those negative “big brother” assumptions and the genuine benefits provided by lone worker solutions.
Instead of “big brother is watching you,” businesses need to reframe the messaging to “big brother is keeping you safe.”
The Benefits Of Lone Worker GPS Monitoring
There are many benefits to lone worker GPS monitoring, both for the employee and the employer too. Some of these are:
An improved work culture
Many managers assume that lone worker (LW) solutions will negatively impact their company culture. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that implementing a LW solution actually improves workplace culture.
Staff are aware that they are at risk when working alone. When the company invests in a LW solution that enables the worker to call for help when they need it, the staff feel valued and know that the company genuinely cares about their health and wellbeing.
Decreased stress – at work and home
Often, little thought is given to the impact that a higher-risk job can have on a worker’s family. Without a GPS-based LW solution, the first sign that something may have gone wrong is if the worker fails to return home. In this situation, the onus is on the partner or family member to call the employer for help.
When LW solutions are implemented, the burden is lifted from the employee’s family members, who feel relieved knowing that help is at hand if something happened during their loved one’s workday.
Improved efficiency
Some health and safety policies require staff to check in with their employees regularly. This process can be time-consuming and ineffective, particularly if staff are working in areas with poor signal.
A GPS tool removes the need for manual check-ins, allowing employees to focus on their work. It also takes the burden off their buddy or manager, allowing them to focus on other things knowing that there is a failsafe system in place.
Ensures compliance
As laid out in the Health and Safety at Work Act, employers must have appropriate communication systems in place for remote or lone workers. A GPS-enabled safety device is the best solution and demonstrates compliance with your legal obligations.
Tips On Introducing GPS Lone Worker Solutions
Research involving employees’ opinions on GPS tracking has revealed that staff are becoming more open to welcoming GPS tracking in the workplace. The same study says that proper understanding of the tracking solution is a crucial part of this acceptance.
Managers must communicate transparently about the LW solutions. Take time to listen to your employee’s concerns, and address them openly. All it takes is one piece of gossip to derail your best intentions, so ensure everyone knows exactly what’s involved and provide space for feedback.
The same studies mentioned above found that 38% of employees who had never been tracked at work had a negative perception around it. This number dropped to 5% among those who had used a GPS tracker.
This shows that much of the negativity about “big brother” comes from a lack of knowledge of how these systems work and their benefits with regards to safety.
Taking the time to fill in those knowledge gaps and clarify how the GPS systems work and precisely how they will be used should alleviate most concerns. Consider making this a key part of your communications plan when you roll out any new GPS-enabled solution.
Change Management
At Direct Safety, every time we deploy a new solution to a company, we undertake a change management process. This process ensures that key stakeholders are on board with what the solution is for (safety vs location and productivity scrutiny).
We make sure that the staff wearing the devices know who has access to their location data and understand that the data will only be accessed if there is a genuine (safety-related) reason to review it.
At the end of the day, a lone worker solution is always for safety, first and foremost. Once your staff trust that intention, they will be in full support of the changes.
If you are looking to implement a GPS tracking system to protect your workforce, then reach out to us at Direct Safety today.