Research reveals gap in executive awareness as lone workers face increased aggression

A new report from EcoOnline, a leading technology provider for EHS, ESG, and Chemical Safety, has revealed significant disparity between perceptions of executives and lone workers regarding safety, as the risk of violence and abuse has risen by 46 per cent over the last two to three years.

Launched today, EcoOnline’s Lone Worker Landscape Report 2024, which surveyed over 1,200 executives and lone workers, explores the risks faced by lone workers and the perspectives of executives tasked with ensuring their safety. Key areas examined include communication, risk management, policies, and incident prevention and mitigation.

Lone workers—defined as anyone who works by themselves ‘without close or direct supervision’, are an often undercounted and underrepresented group in the UK workforce. The report estimates that between seven and nine million people work alone, with 46 per cent of executives expecting this number to grow in the coming years. However, working alone is becoming increasingly dangerous, as 64 per cent of organisations have experienced incidents involving lone workers in the past three years.

This year’s report highlights significant discrepancies between executives’ views and the actual experiences of lone workers. According to the survey, lone workers identified violence and aggression as their greatest risk, with 46 per cent reporting an increase in incidents over the last two to three years. This is reflected in incident reports, which show that violence accounts for 20 per cent of all reported incidents, a figure that has doubled since 2023. On the other hand, executives are more concerned about workers being in remote areas without a mobile signal, with 50 per cent identifying this as the top risk, placing violence as a secondary concern.

Key Findings from the Survey:

• Risk management: 46 per cent of executives believe lone workers are adequately included in risk assessments, compared to only 30 per cent of lone workers. While over half of the executives believe risk assessments occur regularly, only 31 per cent of lone workers agree.
• Conflicting Priorities: In 2024, 50 per cent of executives report that safety is prioritised equally to financial targets, and 18 per cent believe it is prioritised even higher. However, 29 per cent of lone workers feel safety is given less priority than financial goals, and 17 per cent of executives agree with them.
• Looking Ahead: Executives are increasingly recognising workplace violence as the top future challenge, with 67 per cent predicting that lone worker safety will grow in importance over the coming years.

Speaking on the research, EcoOnline’s Chief Customer Officer, Helen Jones, said: “Lone workers are facing more risks than ever, whether it’s environmental, accidental, or deliberate. There’s a clear gap between how executives and workers perceive these risks, and it’s important for employers to take this as an opportunity to bridge that gap. Leaders must align safety measures with the realities lone workers face by being proactive—ensuring teams are aware of policies and risk assessments, can give input on processes, and have the right support in place. With both transparency and technology, we can significantly reduce risks and keep lone workers safe.”

EcoOnline will be hosting a webinar on Wednesday 25th September titled ‘Preventing isolation: ensuring the safety of your frontline lone workers’. To register for the event click here.