Why Employees Need Panic Button System Alarms?

Table of contents:

• What Is a Panic Button System?
• Who Needs a Panic Button?
• 5 Reasons Why Every Business Should Have a Panic Button?
• Pros and Cons of Using Panic Button System in the Workplace

 

An office environment can often be hectic and chaotic. From constant deadlines and changing priorities to unexpected visitors and errand runners, the office can be a challenging environment for employees. The constant pressure can sometimes lead to serious health issues and the sheer number of new visitors raises the question of insecurity in the workplace.

Employee safety is of paramount importance at the workplace. This is particularly true for companies that operate in dangerous industries and where there is a high risk of injury or death. Although no one can predict when an injury or heart attack will occur, a panic button for office can help intervene in the event of an emergency.

What Is a Panic Button System?

A panic button system is an electronic device or app that allows employees to send out an alarm or alert if they find themselves in danger at work or elsewhere in the line of duty. These devices are often worn by employees on their wrists, as necklaces, or carried as mobile phone apps. 

When activated, this security panic button system sends out a notification with the user’s location to the emergency contacts, who will come and assist the employee in distress.

Who Needs a Panic Button?

We all need a panic button, and employees are no different. A good reason why panic buttons are essential is due to the rising number of workplace violence cases in recent years.

According to BLS data, in the United States, approximately 705 of the 4764 fatal workplace injuries that occurred in 2020 were caused by person-on-person assault. In fact, the number of victims of workplace violence is close to two million year-round in the United States.

While many companies are already familiar with the use of panic buttons for business, workplaces such as offices, warehouses, hospitals, and schools also need to enhance their safety by installing an alert system for their employees. 

Industries that can benefit from panic buttons installed on their premises include:

• Retail businesses. Clothing stores and electronics shops are prime targets for thieves and shoplifters looking to steal expensive items. 

• Warehouses. These are usually located in large buildings with multiple floors or levels. Employees often work late hours or overnight shifts, which can make them easy targets for robbery and assault. 

• Hotels. The hospitality industry employs staff members who may work night shifts alone, making them a more likely target for criminals and other threats.

If your employees feel like they're not safe when they're working, then you need a workplace panic button and fast. Employees should know that they can press the panic button and know that they will receive help from the right people and won’t be left to deal with the problem on their own.

5 Reasons Why Every Business Should Have a Panic Button?

We've all heard the tragic stories of business owners who had to deal with an armed robbery at their place of business. More often than not, these businesses are small, mom-and-pop shops, which are vulnerable for a variety of reasons. 

If you own a business, one of the ways you can protect yourself and your employees is through a panic button for the office system. 

Here are five reasons why every business should have a panic button:

1. Panic buttons are incredibly easy to use. A panic button for business is designed to be used in an emergency. Some panic button systems don’t need human input. For instance, the AllsWell Alert monitors your phone automatically and tries to detect an emergency after a long period of inactivity.

2. Panic buttons help protect employees. Even the largest, most well-staffed businesses can be targeted by criminals and attackers with malicious intentions. Having your panic buttons on standby keeps your employees feeling protected while they work. They know that they can get help quickly when they need it.

3. In some states, safety legislation demands it. In New Jersey, for example, if you have a hotel with more than 100 rooms, the Senate No. 2986 legislature of June 2019 requires that every staff of your hotel have a panic button linked to Bluetooth in each room. Hotels that don't follow this legislature can be fined up to $10,000 for the violation.

4. Panic buttons enhance the business’ security, which in turn, boosts customer loyalty and satisfaction. Customers are far more likely to return to businesses where they feel safe than where they don't feel safe. With an advanced panic button system on your premises, your business comes out as a safe shopping environment.

5. A panic button is cost-effective. Personal safety and security can never be overstated. Workplace injuries cost businesses a lot of money in insurance claims, hospital bills, and a bad reputation, All these unnecessary costs can be prevented with a workplace panic button system that uses the existing telecommunications infrastructure to alert authorities.

Pros and Cons of Using Panic Button System in the Workplace

Panic buttons are beneficial for both the company owners and customers. They keep the business owners safe from cyber threats and also provide a quick response in case of emergency. However, the use of employee panic button systems should be taken with a grain of salt. 

Here are some of the advantages and shortcomings of a panic button system at the workplace:

Pros

• An employee panic button is a quick way to alert authorities of danger or distress.

• It can help protect workers from harassment and abuse.

• Panic buttons are beneficial for those who work alone at night or during off-hours when no one else is around.

• A workplace panic button is easy to use and doesn't require special training.

• Many new systems are equipped with GPS tracking capabilities, which allows employers to know where employees are at all times. This added safety feature helps increase productivity and also provides peace of mind for employees who may need to travel alone or work late at night.

• Panic buttons can be used on both physical and digital devices, which means that they don't matter what device an employee uses or where they are located. The only requirement is that they have a working internet connection or cell signal. 

Cons

• The panic button may not always work properly because it relies on the cell phone network, which could be down due to maintenance or other problems. 

• The battery may die, which means the device is not 100% reliable when it's needed most.

• Panic button systems are prone to false alarms, which can cause confusion for both employees and operators. 

• Some panic button systems are expensive. However, the cost of the workplace panic button can vary depending on its maker and complexity.

The 2019 mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton were a wake-up call to other institutions and businesses alike. One of the best ways to provide safety to your employees is through an office panic button alarm system.

When choosing a panic button for the office system, there are several factors that you should keep in mind. These include:

• Cost 

• Reliability

• Ease of use

• GPS location tracking

• International coverage

• Apple and Android compatibility

• And most of all, 24/7 inactivity monitoring.

If you’re looking for an employee panic button,  your search has come to an end. AllsWell Alert is a personal emergency alert app that uses GPS location tracking with inactivity monitoring to check if your loved ones are okay. The app also uses the user’s device movement detector to know when the user is active. If this sensor detects inactivity beyond the time limit set by the user, it interprets this as a potential emergency and immediately notifies your emergency contacts.

Would you like to see how it works?

Sign up for a free trial by downloading AllsWell Alert from Google Play or AppStore.

Final Thoughts

Every business knows the value of being able to spring into action and react quickly when something goes wrong. But for all your planning, there will always be times when something goes wrong - and that’s okay. It’s how you choose to react that counts and panic buttons are key to ensuring you keep your employees safe at all times.