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Workplace Safety Overview
Clear, practical guidance for navigating safety at work, protecting schedules, and adjusting communication patterns.
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WORKPLACE SAFETY
Workplace Safety Overview
1. Arrival and Departure Safety
Options to review for getting to and from work more safely:
- Change travel routes and times (use different streets, entrances, or parking areas when possible).
- Ask if you can park closer to the building, near cameras, or in a well‑used area.
- Arrange to walk in and out with a trusted coworker when feasible.
- Use building entrances with staffed reception or security instead of side or back doors.
- Keep keys, phone, and any safety devices easily reachable when approaching your car or transit stop.
- Pre‑check outside areas (through a window or camera, if available) before leaving.
- Have a simple backup plan if you notice the abusive person nearby (e.g., return inside, contact security, wait with a coworker).
2. Communication Changes at Work
Options to reduce unwanted contact at work:
- Ask HR or a supervisor if your work phone number or email can be changed or made less public.
- Filter or forward messages from specific numbers or addresses, if your system allows.
- Request that personal calls not be transferred to your desk without your confirmation.
- Use a neutral script for gatekeeping calls (for yourself and front desk), such as: “They’re not available; please email.”
- Limit sharing your schedule or travel details in shared calendars, email signatures, or voicemail.
- Review which coworkers need to know about any no‑contact orders or documentation, if you have them.
3. Safe Coworker Roles
Ways coworkers can quietly support workplace safety:
- Act as a “walking partner” at arrival, breaks, or departure when possible.
- Serve as a “screening point” for calls or unexpected visitors, following agreed scripts.
- Watch for specific warning signs you describe (e.g., certain vehicle, person, or pattern of calls).
- Keep a written log of concerning contacts or visits they observe, if you want documentation.
- Know basic steps to take if they feel something is unsafe (e.g., contact security, supervisor, or building management per policy).
You can choose which coworkers to inform and what level of detail to share, based on trust and workplace culture.
4. Front Desk and Security Instructions
Possible instructions to provide reception, building staff, or security:
- Share a current photo, name, and any aliases of the person who should not have access to you, if you are comfortable.
- State clearly whether this person is allowed in the building, and if so, whether they may contact you at work.
- Give simple scripts for staff to use, such as:
- “They are not available. Please leave a message.”
- “You’ll need to schedule through email.”
- Ask that you be notified immediately (by text, call, or internal message) if this person arrives or calls.
- Clarify what staff should do if the person refuses to leave or becomes disruptive, following building policies.
- Confirm how visitor logs, camera footage, or incident reports are kept, in case you later need documentation.
Additional tools and external professional supports may be listed through resources at DV.Support, which can be reviewed alongside any internal workplace policies.
5. Adjusting Routines Discreetly
Small changes that are often less noticeable to others:
- Stagger your start or end time slightly, if your role allows (e.g., 15–30 minutes earlier or later).
- Vary your route between common locations (desk, break room, parking, transit stops).
- Use different lunch locations or break times occasionally.
- Avoid predictable public posts about your work schedule or location.
- Shift more sensitive calls or tasks to areas with more privacy (e.g., closed office, private room, or quiet corner).
- Pre‑arrange “check‑in” points with a trusted contact (coworker, friend, or family) at certain times of day.