Office Safety and Security Issues Faced by Female Entrepreneurs

serviced office spaceWhile workplace safety and security is an issue that every entrepreneur and small business owner has to think about, they are often more important to a female entrepreneur who works alone. As a general rule, it is not safe to work in an isolated office location, even for men. But for women entrepreneurs who have limited funding, these types of office environments may be the only alternative that fits their limited start-up budget. Working in isolation can put anyone at risk for security problems. Putting aside security risks, working in a stand-alone office with no contact with other people can also be a major safety factor when it comes to possible accidents that may occur. Nobody ever expects a home accident to happen, but a slip down the stairs or a kitchen grease fire can occur in the blink of an eye.

Entrepreneurs who work from home often become complacent with regard to home safety making themselves “softer targets.” Women who work alone need to learn best safety and security practices when working from home. The real security problem begins when your small business address is your home address, because criminals and disgruntled customers know where you live. Nearly one-fifth of all incidents of violent victimization in Canada’s ten provinces, including physical assault, sexual assault and robbery, occurred in the victim’s workplace. This does not include those victims who call their home their workplace – so the numbers are sure to be higher if they did.

An interesting article in itBusiness.ca talks about how one woman entrepreneur turned her personal security concerns into a business. Deena Douara turned fear into the catalyst for her invention. She developed a concept for a mobile phone app that could alert authorities if a potential emergency situation were to arise. While Douara is not the only entrepreneur to think of turning smartphones into a personal safety alarm, her app “WalkSafe” is location-aware and can even monitor for movement! The best part is that this app was developed by a woman entrepreneur with other women entrepreneurs in mind.

In the interest of safety and security, many women entrepreneurs will look at having office space at an office business centre that adds various types of security for her. Because business centres offer a centralized reception area, nobody has direct access to an individual office suite without checking in first with reception. Even if an intruder or unwelcomed visitor circumvents the receptionist, security cameras in the halls and staff usually notice unfamiliar people in the facility. Business centre staff will often stop unknown visitors and make sure they are supposed to be where they are.

Here are just a few ways you can help to keep your office safe and secure.

  • Be aware of everyone that goes in and out of your office space. Does that person belong there? If you do not recognize someone ask “How can I help you?” or offer directions to the reception area.
  • Never leave purses, wallets, cellphones, tablets or other valuables in plain view or in unlocked drawers. These items are too easy to snatch and grab within seconds.
  • Enforce your office “No Solicitation” policy. Often this can just be a ruse to scope out the office and find your security vulnerabilities.
  • Protect your office keys and/or ID badges. Don’t leave them lying around and never lend them to others – unless they are someone you work with or someone you know you can trust. Even if you know the person, question why they need to borrow yours.
  • Keep your office door locked, even if it is just to slip down the hall to get a coffee or to use the restroom.
  • When working late in the office, make sure you take extra precautions. Lock doors, let people know where you are, and make sure you have a safe way to get back to your car or public transit. Do not be afraid to ask building security to walk you to your car or transit stop.
  • Do not leave computers unlocked when you are not present. Lock your screen or use a timed screensaver to lock your computer, requiring a log-in to get back on.
  • Be aware and be proactive. If you think something might be amiss, then report it. Reporting it might just be enough to keep you (and others around you) safe and secure.

When you are on the road and visiting other businesses…..

  • When you enter an office or meeting place alone, be aware of your surroundings.
  • Let others know who you are visiting and how long you expect to stay.
  • Have a safety call set up in case you do not check in at the expected end of your meeting

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Hotels

1. Jennifer Smith
General Manager
The Omni King Edward Hotel
37 King Street East
Toronto, ON
M5C 1E9
Tel: 416-863-9700
Website: www.omnihotels.com/hotels/toronto-king-edward

2. Mark Perry
General Manager
Executive Hotels and Resorts (Boutique)
8 Colborne Street
Toronto, ON
M5E 1E1
Tel: 416-350-2419
Website: www.spazen.ca or www.cosmotoronto.com

3. Emeline Boul
General Manager
Hotel Victoria (Boutique)
56 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
M5E 1G5
Tel: 416-363-1666
Mobile: 647-574-5832
Website: www.hotelvictoriatoronto.com

4. Omkar Sawant
Reservations Manager
One King West Hotel
1 King Street West
Toronto, ON
M5H 1A1
Main: 416-548-8100
Reservations: 1-866-470-5464
Website: www.onekingwest.com

5. Van Nguyen
General Manager
Cambridge Suites Toronto
15 Richmond Street East
Toronto, ON
M5C 1N2
Direct: 416-601-3757
Hotel: 416-368-1990
Website: www.cambridgesuitestoronto.com

Restaurants

1. Michael Pagliaro
Carisma (Italian)
15 Toronto Street
Toronto, ON
M5C 2E3
Tel: 416-864-7373
Website: www.carismarestaurant.com

2. Patti Shaw
Terroni (Italian)
57 Adelaide Street East
Toronto, ON
M5C 1K6
Tel: 416-203-3093
Website: www.terroni.com

3. Declan
Restaurant 20 Victoria – Michelin guide approved
20 Victoria Street
Toronto, ON
M5C 2A1
Tel: 416-804-6066
Instagram for reservations: https://www.instagram.com/twentyvictoria/

4. Mana
Nami (Japanese)
55 Adelaide Street East
Toronto, ON
M5C 1K6
Tel: 416-362-7373
Website: www.namirestaurant.ca

5. Restaurant Lucie
100 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
M5C 2W1
Tel: 416-788-9054
Website: www.restaurantlucie.com

6. Niam H
Cantina Mercatto
20 Wellington Street East
Toronto, ON
M5E 1C5
Tel: 416-304-0781
Website: www.cantinamercatto.ca

7. Siva Sathasivam
Uncle Tony’s
38 Wellington St E
Toronto, ON
M5E 1C7
Tel: 416-455-6650
Website: https://uncletonys.ca/

8. Pizzaiolo
104 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
M5C 2Y6
Tel: 416-860-0700
Website: www.pizzaiolo.ca

9. Robin Singh
Woods Restaurant and Bar
45 Colborne Street
Toronto, ON
M5E 1E3
Tel: 416-214-9918
Website: www.woodsrestaurant.ca

Health and Wellness

1. Thom Tullo
Morpheus8 by Inmode
47 Colborne Street
Toronto, ON
M5E 1E3
Tel: 416-863-6564
Website: www.amanspa.ca

2. Altitude Athletic Training
56 Colborne Street
Toronto, ON
M5E 1E3
Tel: 416-366-3838
Website: www.altitudeathletictraining.com

3. Physioheath Studios
33 Victoria Street, #130
Toronto, ON
M5C 2A1
Tel: 416-368-2525
Website: www.physiohealth.com

Our Amenities

We are by far the most experienced and best coworking team in the market – established in 1980

  • We are the highest Tech centre in the market
  • We have a very modern, high quality, brand new facility located at:

   18 King Street East, Suite 1400

      Toronto, Ontario   M5C 1C4 Canada

    • 18 King Street East is a boutique Class A building – East of Yonge: easy street parking, less traffic, excellent restaurants and lovely parks – St. James Park @ Church & King and Berczy Park @ Wellington East, Scott and Front Streets – Very high energy and engaging area
    • A few steps (a few seconds) to the Yonge Street subway/underground PATH network and streetcar available outside building
    • Building is located in Toronto's vibrant financial district
    • Plenty of parking available in the area including street parking and reserved parking in the 18 King building 
    • Adjacent to the building huge outdoor food courtyard - Beer Bistro www.beerbistro.com and Craft Beer Market www.craftbeermamrket.ca restaurants and bars with onsite catering services
    • Onsite amenities:  Tim Horton's, Beer Bistro, Convenience store and Starbucks across the street 
    • Nearby amenities:  underground PATH network, numerous restaurants, banking, Starbucks plus a wide array of nearby shops and services 
    • New modernized office layout fully furnished with meeting spaces and training rooms plus café lounge area
    • We are leaders in the service of training/meeting rooms with full conference facilities, high quality hot and cold catering
    • Largest training room and conference facilities accommodate up to 60 people classroom style
    • Ultra-high-speed - 1 GIG pipe = 1,000 x 1000 fiber-optic network, which will deliver internet connection speeds faster than most North American services
    • Private shower room
    • Indoor Reserved Parking at the current building rental rate
    • Bicycle parking
    • Rent a space to accommodate your team for meetings, training sessions, corporate events or coworking space or flexible office space for one day, one week, one month or one year, or whatever term suits your business
    • Telsec has over 650 locations in 40 different countries worldwide available for their clients.  Office clients receive up to 8 hours of meeting space per month at no charge at any ABCN member location.  Plus, Office and Virtual Office clients may rent a space from any member location at special member rates which varies depending on the location 
    • King Edward Hotel is located across the street - recently completed a $40 million renovation and boutique hotels close by within walking distance
  • Dining and entertainment at high quality restaurants only minutes away – Carisma, Terroni, Woods Restaurant & Bar and Michelin Rated - Restaurant 20 Victoria. Plus numerous lunch and takeout eateries nearby

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You are welcome to drop-in any-time, a quick call would be appreciated to ensure our availability Vanessa 416-574-1112 or Josie 416-606-4349 or e-mail josie@telsec.net.