Protection for yourself and your property requires continuous attention on your part.  Most business strive to provide a safe and secure work environment for their employees.  To support the company’s efforts in provide for your safety and security on the job, always use good common sense.  A purse left at a workstation, a jacket slung over the back of a chair or left in an unoccupied office, cash left out in plain sight – all are invitations to a would be thief!  Keep personal belonging out of sight and locked in a drawer, file cabinet, employee locker or closet.  The key to this drawer or other container should be issued only to the employee who is assigned its use.

Sometimes you may find it necessary to stay late at the office or to come in early.  Follow your company’s procedures for being in the building during non-working hours.  If no after-hours procedures exist, create your own security routine and follow it.  Follow these security procedures when you work alone:

• Always work near a phone and keep emergency telephone numbers handy
• Lock all doors to your work area. Do not open the door to anyone you are not expecting or cannot identify
• Get to know the cleaning staff and when to expect them
• If you use the elevator to leave the building, do not enter the elevator if anyone is in it who you find suspicious
• Avoid using a restroom that is located away from your work area
• When working late, phone home before leaving the office to let someone know what time to expect you. If you live along, call a friend before leaving the office and again when you get home to let her or him know you have arrived safely
• Park your car near the building entrance and/or in a lighted parking lot. Check the parking lot visually before leaving the building.  Have your car keys in your hand and ready to use.  If security personnel are available, ask to be escorted to your car.