Everyone knows that workplace security is important, but the question is what measures should you actually take? With so many available, it can be hard to know what options are best for you and your business.
Of the security options available, CCTV is one of the most commonly considered – but is it right for you? To help you with your decision, we’ve compiled the pros and cons of installing CCTV in your workplace.
Pros:
It deters internal and external crime
This is one of the most well know and obvious benefits of CCTV – it deters crime. Criminals don’t want to get caught and if they are captured in the act on video where they are visible, it’s bad news for them. Therefore, CCTV will help to protect your business from crimes such as theft, arson, vandalism and more.
It’s not just external threats that you’re protected from, but internal. For starters, it’s come to light how prevalent issues like workplace harassment are. CCTV can help to prevent potential perpetrators and investigate those who’ve been accused of inappropriate behaviour. It can also help to reduce and prevent workplace theft which would otherwise eat into your budget.
It reduces insurance costs
When calculating premiums, insurance companies consider the risk of certain events. The higher the risk, the more they will charge. CCTV reduces the risk of things that would cause you to make a claim, therefore, you may be able to save on your insurance. Furthermore, it can also help you during the claims process. For example, an employee may make a claim that they were injured at work and that you need to pay them. With CCTV, you may be able to gather evidence that helps your case and saves you from having to make a large payout.
It increases productivity
When are people at their most productive? When their boss is next to them. This is because they don’t want to be seen doing the wrong thing. CCTV creates the feeling that people could be seen wasting time or not doing their work, which in turn will encourage them to be more productive.
Cons:
Staff feel ‘watched’
Feeling ‘watched’ at work can have a negative impact on your staff, especially if they feel that the surveillance is too intrusive or excessive. To avoid this, focus on using CCTV for security rather than monitoring your staff.
Cost
Like all things in life, CCTV comes with a price tag. You will need to purchase the system, and then pay to continuously maintain and operate it. The good news is that if you outsource these tasks to an FM provider, they can look after your CCTV as well as your cleaning and office design needs as part of one agreed-upon fee. This means that you can get a number of services for excellent value, rather than simply having yet another expense.
Final Thoughts
As with most things, there are pros and cons to having CCTV in your workplace. The question you have to ask is whether the pros outweigh the cons.
