With the number of lone workers on the rise, here are five facts every employer should know about lone working.
1: The number of lone workers is growing worldwide
It's estimated that around 20% of the working population are lone workers - with around 8 million of these estimated to be working alone in the UK. However, with the pandemic causing a steep rise in remote and lone working, these figures are now likely to be significantly higher. According to Business Research Insights, this rise is being seen on a global scale, with the connected-worker market expected to exhibit a CAGR of 13.5% between now and 2031.
2: Your lone workers probably aren’t telling you if they’ve felt unsafe
According to the British Crime Survey, 150 lone workers are physically or verbally attacked every day. Unfortunately, this number is likely to be under-reported. The latest edition of the Lone Worker Landscape Report showed that only around a third (36%) of lone workers talk to their employer when they have felt unsafe at work. However, most companies are unaware, with nearly all (92%) believing that their lone workers are speaking to them regularly about any incidents and concerns.
3: Most companies have experienced a lone worker incident in the last three years
Incidents involving lone workers are common across all industries, with 68% of companies having experienced an incident involving a lone worker in the past three years. A fifth of these incidents were described as severe or very severe. Worryingly, nearly a quarter of lone workers also report feeling unsafe at least once a year.
4: Your safety communications are not as effective as you think
The good news is that over 95% of companies have policies and procedures in place to protect their lone workers. The bad news: not all your employees know about them. Research indicates that as many as 1 in 5 lone workers are not aware of their employer's lone worker policy. A recent study has also shown that managers often overestimate the effectiveness of their safety communications and training, which can leave some lone working employees at risk.
5: The use of lone worker safety solutions is on the increase
When it comes to protecting lone workers, the majority of businesses are leaving manual check-in calls and simple panic buttons behind. According to a new research report from Berg Insight, the number of lone workers using connected safety solutions in Europe is expected to reach 1.4 million by 2025 – and the UK is the largest market. Connected safety solutions like EcoOnline's Lone Worker Solution, utilise the latest mobile and GPS technology to provide an easier and more reliable way to keep lone workers safe.