Tips for Starting a Successful Business

Tips For Employee Safety During A Labor Strike

14 November 2016 by Brianna Cole

If your business is threatened by an impending labor strike, then it is important for you to ensure the safety of your employees who choose to work during this volatile time. Since employee sabotage of machinery and other shenanigans can happen during a labor dispute, it is vital that you are hyper-vigilant about employee safety. To this end, follow these tips to keep your employees safe during your company's labor strike:

Tip: Have a Quick Safety Meeting at the Beginning of Every Shift

To keep safety in the forefront of your employees' thoughts, start each work shift with a quick safety meeting. Remind your employees who crossed the picket lines how they are expected to enter and leave the building, as well as what procedures they should follow if there are any safety-threatening events during their work shift. 

Tip: Instruct Employees to Stay Inside the Building During Their Shift

Since a single employee out walking near the picket line can become a target for striking employees, you should instruct your employees to stay inside of the building during their work shifts. This may require you to identify a safe smoking area and provide extra food and drinks for breaks. Even if your company does not provide meals for your employees, you should stock up on food and drinks so that employees who forget to plan ahead will have options to enable them to stay inside of your building during their breaks.

Tip: Find Ways to Lighten the Mood for Your Working Employees

Since a labor strike is a very stressful time for everyone involved, it is important to find simple ways to lighten the mood for those employees who are working through the strike. Even small gestures such as a bowl of candy or fortune cookies will help some employees smile. You can also host a contest, such as having your employees wear a funky sweater or crazy hat. 

Tip: Remind Employees Not to Engage in Arguments with Strikers

Finally, to help keep your employees safe during the strike, remind your employees that they should never engage in arguments or conversations with those who are walking the picket line. If they have a personal relationship with those striking, then they should meet offsite to spend time together. When crossing the picket lines, your employees should remain pleasant and silent. If the press is present, they should be instructed to simply say "no comment" and continue walking.

For help with your staffing and security needs during a labor strike, consider contacting a company like Modern Staffing & Security for assistance.

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