No business owner likes the idea of his or her employees striking, but the reality is that these instances occur — and that business needs to go on in the face of a strike. This can lead to plenty of uncertain times and even unpleasant environments around your workplace. You can address some of these challenges by hiring one or more security guards, depending on the size of the premises and the size of your staff. A security guard is highly valuable during a strike in a number of ways, including these.
Diffusing Conflicts Between Strikers And Replacement Workers
If you've opted to hire replacement workers while your workforce is out on strike, there can often be conflicts that arise between these two groups. For example, when the replacements show up for work in the morning, they may be verbally harassed by the striking workforce until they get safely inside the building. Your security guard can maintain a strong presence during such interactions to keep any exchanges calm and under control. For example, it's one thing for a striking worker to shout at a replacement and another thing to use threats or physical intimidation. Your security guard will ensure that the latter two issues don't occur.
Protecting Visitors And Customers
Depending on the nature of your business, there may be frequent visitors and customers who arrive on the scene to enter your building. These people may be met with the disdain of the striking workforce, potentially leading to conflicts. For example, if a business executive that the strikers feel is making too much money arrives for a meeting, there could be a conflict that quickly turns ugly. A security guard can help to not only keep the strikers away from your visitors and customers but also ensure that everyone behaves in a civil manner and that your visitors and customers always feel safe.
Preventing Nighttime Vandalism
After the workday is done and the striking employees who formed the daytime picket lines have left, your security guard can remain on the premises to prevent vandalism. Unhappy workers may choose to return to the office under the cover of darkness and show their disdain for the company's management through vandalism. Whether it's egging a window, breaking an exterior light, or something more serious such as spray-painting slogans on the building or even attempting something more serious, a security guard's presence throughout the night will keep these problems at bay.
For more information on security guards, consider contacting companies like PHOENIX PROFESSIONAL PROTECTION.