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Lone Working Comes with Risks, Especially for Women

Working alone can put employees at greater risk, particularly women in frontline roles such as retail. Beyond the immediate threat of physical harm, assaults in the workplace often leave long-lasting psychological effects. Sadly, the statistics speak for themselves.

The number of violent incidents against UK retail workers rose by 50% in the year to September 2023, with an estimated 1,300 incidents taking place every single day.

Many of these occur during vulnerable hours, two hours before and after store closing time, when female staff are more likely to be working alone. With over 2.8 million people employed in the UK retail sector, nearly 60% of them women, it’s vital that businesses take proactive steps to safeguard lone working.

Your Duty to Protect Lone Working Women

While it’s impossible to eliminate risk entirely, employers have a legal and moral responsibility to minimise it. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act, businesses must do everything “reasonably practicable” to protect their staff, especially when they’re working alone and out of sight of colleagues.

Women working alone in shops, supermarkets, or jewellery stores may be perceived as “easy targets” for theft or violence. This makes it even more important for employers to introduce effective Lone Worker Safety measures.

How Lone Worker Devices Help Deter and Respond to Threats

Modern Lone Worker Devices, such as discreet safety watches or wearable alarms, are designed to respond immediately to danger, offering real-time protection and peace of mind for retail workers.

These devices allow employees to trigger an alarm silently if they feel threatened or are facing a robbery. The signal goes directly to a 24/7 Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC), where trained operatives can listen in, assess the situation, and initiate an emergency response if needed.

Even if the employee is unable to call for help, for instance, during a physical attack, the device can detect a lack of movement and automatically raise the alarm.

Why the Safety Watch is Ideal for Retail Environments

The Safety Watch is a discreet, smartwatch-style Lone Worker Device that blends into everyday retail uniforms. In an emergency, staff can trigger an alert with a simple movement of the wrist, without escalating the situation.

It also offers a “doubt recording” feature. If an employee feels uneasy about a customer’s behaviour, they can trigger a silent alarm. The ARC will begin monitoring the situation without intervening unless a clear threat is identified.

This combination of discretion, intelligence, and rapid response helps protect female retail workers, and demonstrates that you take their safety seriously.

Take Action Before an Incident Happens

Whether you’re managing a single shop or a nationwide chain, investing in Lone Worker Safety shows your commitment to your team. It’s more than compliance, it’s about creating a safer, more supportive working environment for everyone.

Get in touch today to explore how Almas Industries’ Lone Worker Devices can help protect your staff, especially those most at risk.