Research from Mitie, the UK’s leading security provider has revealed the duty of care that people expect of their employers will be a focus throughout 2025, with one in five (19%) saying that their employer should be doing more to keep them safe.

The research found that the measures organisations have in place to protect their employees from harm is even more of a concern for the younger generation of workers, with over a quarter (27%) of those aged 18-34 saying they expect their employers to be doing more to keep them safe. This comes as half of women (44%) and a fifth of men (21%) say they feel unsafe in the dark, even when making everyday journeys, including commuting to work. This figure rises to over a third (36%) amongst those who work less regular hours and leave the house or return home when it is dark.

With the amendments to the Workers’ Protection Act introduced in October 2024 further bringing personal safety up the workplace agenda, organisations face increasing pressure to address the expectation from employees to keep them safe.

Mitie has launched a partnership with personal safety app, WalkSafe to offer package of employee wellbeing initiatives designed to enhance personal safety. The new partnership will see Mitie develop an enhanced version of the WalkSafe Pro version of the existing app, which organisations can provide to their people, giving them the option to connect with trained operatives in a specialist security control centre, should they feel worried about their safety.

The partnership also enables organisations to evidence their duty of care for colleagues through a platform which allows for the reporting of incidents and the intelligent tracking of progress on how they have been responded to. This helps HR teams and managers to understand their workforce and make sure that a zero tolerance to sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour is taken.

Risk assessments, gap analyses, policy development, and customised training programs to equip employees and leaders with the tools to address workplace safety and harassment effectively are also offered by Mitie. This also includes how to support colleagues who may unfortunately be dealing with unpleasant situations at home, for example domestic abuse. Harassment deterrents are also available including advanced tools like CCTV, panic buttons, and access controls for added protection.

Emma Kay, Founder of WalkSafe said:

“This partnership aims to revolutionise the way that employers can take care of their colleagues. Having experienced harassment myself, I feel strongly that employers should be empowering their people to take measures to protect themselves from harm. The tide is changing and it’s important that workplaces have a culture of respect and accountability, with access to the right resources that help their people to feel safe at work.”

Jason Towse, Managing Director, Business Services, Mitie, said:

“With the Workers’ Protection Act bringing into focus that employers have a duty to protect their people, all organisations should be considering how they can extend that duty of care. Bringing our expertise in security intelligence, and WalkSafe’s user-friendly app, we’re developing a layer of protection that has not been available to employees before. Our hope is to encourage more employers take additional measures to take care of their people and ultimately support their personal safety.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

Survey of 2,000 adults conducted by Opinium on behalf of Mitie between 18 October 2024 and 22 October 2024.

About Mitie

Founded in 1987, Mitie employs 72,000 colleagues and is the leading technology-led Facilities Transformation company in the UK. We are a trusted partner to around 3,000 blue chip customers across the public and private sectors, working with them to transform their built estates, and the lived experience for their colleagues and customers, as well as providing data-driven insights to inform better decision-making.   

In each of our core services of engineering (hard services) and security and hygiene (soft services) we hold market leadership positions. We also deliver projects capabilities in the areas of power and grid connections, building fit outs & modernisation, decarbonisation, fire & security, and telecoms infrastructure. Our sector expertise includes central government, critical national infrastructure, defence, financial services, healthcare & life sciences, local government & education, retail & logistics and transport & aviation.   

We hold industry-leading ESG credentials, including a place on the CDP Climate change A List, and in the past 12 months we have received multiple industry awards including Best Low Carbon Solution and Net Zero Carbon Strategy of the Year. Targeting Net Zero by the end of 2025, our ambitious emissions reduction plans have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). We have been recognised as a UK Top Employer for the sixth consecutive year. Find out more at www.mitie.com. 

WalkSafe

The WalkSafe app is a free personal safety app providing safer space information to users on a handy interactive map. Clear icons for different safe space types make the app easy to use and navigate, alongside other useful features such as journey plotting and crime zone information. These safe spaces are rolled out in partnership with Councils, Police and BIDs to support safer communities across the UK, alongside the app’s crime reporting functionality and community icons. To give users a further layer of safety on journeys, the app also includes the following sharing features:

• Safety Map: Helps people see the location of safety accredited venues across the UK, using interactive icons, so they can plan safer nights out.
• HomeSafe: Set a specific place and a specific time, and share your journey plan with loved ones. If you don’t successfully complete your journey, your loved ones are notified. (This feature is non-location sharing)
• Follow Me: Walking the dog? Going for a run? Just wandering? Follow Me allows you to start a journey with no destination in mind. Simply select a length of time to share your location for and select friends to keep you safe then you’re good to go!
• WalkSafe: Going somewhere? WalkSafe journeys differ from HomeSafe by allowing you to share your location with your trusted friends. Your location will update in real-time allowing your loved ones to keep you safe on your journey.