Keep Yourself Secure At Work, Too

A TV ad played a couple of years ago featuring a black woman walking alone in a dark, largely empty parking garage, anxiously peering over her shoulder. She was dressed like a professional and looked like she’d been working late at the office. The only sounds were her clicking heels and dripping water. The scene was ominous.

Luckily, she wasn’t entirely alone. Dennis Haysbert was there, happily pitching for Allstate. As if her biggest problem at the moment was a scratch left by a careless driver.

Women of Color Face Higher Assault Rates

This ad underscored, possibly by accident, the frightening scenario of a woman (or heck, anyone) being alone in a deserted parking structure. For women, this can be a very dangerous scenario. No insurance policy protects from assault.

Women of color, particularly mixed-race women, are more likely to be assaulted, according to RAINN, the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network. RAINN compiled government statistics that show black women are slightly more likely to face a sexual assault than white women, 18.8% to 17.7%. An astounding 24.4% of women of mixed race are assaulted each year. Even more alarming, more than one-third of American Indian and Alaskan women are assaulted.

Keeping Yourself Safe and Secure at Work

Going back to our friend in the parking garage, it’s a good idea to remember that people spend a lot of time at work and in office buildings with varying amounts of security. So it makes sense to ensure you’re as safe at work as you are at home.

Chances are, your workplace has some kind of security for the property. Employees, however, aren’t necessarily safeguarded and need to take a few extra steps, particularly if they find themselves working alone after hours. The National Crime Prevention Council offers useful tips to help ensure security at work. Here are a few to follow if you work odd hours or stay late:

• Create a buddy system for walking to parking lots or ask a security guard for escort.
• Keep emergency supplies in case of a power failure or you somehow get trapped in the office. This should include a flashlight, water, snacks and charged cellphone.
• Ask if your company’s security policy provides rides home for people working after hours.
• Check the identity of any strangers in the office, particularly as it gets close to the end of the normal workday.
• Report broken windows, locks and signs of electrical wear.

It’s important to protect yourself online as well as in the office. Online predators can access your personal information through social media or hacking if it is not secure. They can find your address, phone number or even put you at risk for identity theft. Keep your data secure with an information protection company like Lifelock. Be very wary when sharing any kind of personal info online or through email.

Work at Home? Make it Extra Secure

If you work at home, whether occasionally or all the time, make sure it’s secure when you leave it for an extended period. Home-based businesses should have a home security system (If you are self-employed, this could also be written off a business expense. Consult your accountant.). Other options include fire monitoring and pet-friendly motion sensors.

Homeadvisor.com offers tips that are a must for those who work at home:

• Keep entrances well-lit.
• Install door peepholes and deadbolts on all accessible doors and windows.
• Keep a record of valuable equipment.
• Make the home look occupied.