As a woman-owned security firm, PRG understands not only the overall challenges women face in the workplace, but specifically how those challenges manifest through security. PRG prides itself on an inclusive approach that creates a safe environment for everyone, and we believe in the power of security to drive equality within companies. Much more than just a Women’s History Month talking point, the unique barriers and threats faced by women are essential elements of security. Organizations which ignore them risk not only the safety of their employees, but also the health and productivity of their business.
THE RISKS OF REPORTING
The basic building block of effective security is detection, and while certain risks can be effectively monitored at scale, nothing can replace human reporting. Women, however, have the perception and reality of facing disproportionate risks from reporting incidents. Surveys revealed that 50% of women are too scared to report workplace violence. Fear is even more widespread on harassment incidents, 75% of which go unreported. The reason is not a mystery: studies have shown a negative perception of women who report harassment, with potential impacts on promotion and career opportunities. Retaliation is not just a fear, it is reality. One survey indicated that 75% of women who reported harassment experienced retaliation. Security programs, particularly escalation-dependent workflows like Insider Risk, Workplace Violence and Employee Misconduct, must account for these barriers to reporting through education, trusted escalation pathways and strong protections against retaliation.
BLURRED LINES: PERSONAL VS PROFESSIONAL
Even when incidents are reported, companies often shy away from engagement on issues impacting women, like domestic violence (DV). There is a perception of DV as a “personal” problem, but the link between mass shootings and DV is clear. A 2021 study found that 59.1% of the mass shootings between 2014-19 were DV-related, meaning the perpetrator killed an intimate partner or family member as part of the attack. Furthermore, 68.2% of the shootings involved perpetrators with a history of domestic violence, even if the current act wasn’t directed at a partner or family member. And it isn’t just mass shootings: the U.S. Department of Labor reports that 27% of all workplace violence incidents were related to domestic violence.
Companies and legal approaches increasingly recognize the need for DV support. California’s new workplace violence prevention law, SB 553, explicitly requires companies to address the workplace violence risk associated with DV. Recognition is a start, but expertise and resources are required to truly address the risk. Effective assistance to DV victims requires training and may need separate internal workflows, processes and partnerships. It may also require corporate financial support for seemingly “personal issues” like lock changes, safe places to stay, flights and restraining orders. A robust approach is necessary to keep women, and in turn their colleagues, safe from DV.
THE FINANCIAL COST OF INACTION
The potential impact to life safety is clear, but there are also other costs. In strictly financial terms, estimates suggest that toxic workplaces cost U.S. businesses nearly $50 billion annually. At an employee level, a lack of support for the unique risks faced by women contributes to attrition, decreased productivity and waning morale.
OUR APPROACH
The challenges facing women in the workplace stem from deep-rooted societal factors beyond the realm of security, but not everything is outside our control. At PRG, we take an inclusive approach to security from the ground up. We write security policies that address the unique risks women face. We design and implement workflows that encourage reporting, protect sensitive information and restrict retaliation. And we provide tactical mitigation support that enhances real-world safety, no matter how “personal” the problem may seem. This approach is more than just doing our part to support women, it is – as the data shows – the best way to keep everyone safe.