Corporate "Safety" BS

A frequent reader forwarded this communication from their employer, [name redacted]. Look at the conflicting viewpoints in the same communication.

Enhanced Security Helps Ensure Safety at Work
Learn about new protocols rolling out at all [employer name redacted] offices, plus upcoming training and drills
By [name redacted] Feb., 2016

The threat of workplace violence has been in the news and on the minds of our employees – and [employer name redacted] is taking new steps to help people feel safe and secure.
One scenario that we want to be prepared for is a “hostile intruder,” or someone using a weapon in a confined, populated area like an office building. Those situations often begin and end in less than 10 minutes – and a lot can happen in the moments before law enforcement officials arrive.
That’s why we’re introducing a host of new protocols – most of which will be in place soon – that will make us better prepared in the case of violent threats to our employees.
These enhanced features to our company’s security efforts include:
• Designated, lockable safe rooms and distress buttons at all facilities
• Mandatory annual safety training for all employees
• Periodic hostile intruder drills for all employees
• Armed security officers at [employer name redacted] -owned facilities
Every office is being equipped with upgraded security systems, complete with distress buttons that feed directly to our Security Center, which monitors access to all our facilities 24/7.
We’re also introducing lockable safe rooms across all facilities. As we do, the Security and Safety team will provide more information to those specific offices, including lists of locations and maps. We will also incorporate those details into a new annual training process.
Highly-trained, armed security officers at [employer name redacted]-owned locations
Under the direction of [name redacted], Manager of Security and Safety, a group of armed personnel working at [location redacted], known as the Rapid Response Team, is being put in place. Each member of the team will undergo certification and rigorous law enforcement training.
In addition to their regular duties on the security team, the group’s purpose is to respond quickly to any potentially violent threat to employees and coordinate with emergency responders. Statistics show that a quick response typically helps shorten “hostile intruder” situations.
The [other cities redacted] offices owned by [employer name redacted] also will have a member of a contracted security firm on premises at all times of business operations. These armed security officers will go through the same extensive training as the members of our Rapid Response Team.
All armed personnel will be required to pass an annual psychological exam.
Because we do not own the [alternate cities redacted] offices, or the [redacted], we are restricted from stationing armed guards there. The [redacted] Center is located at a property where [vendor name redacted] already provides armed security staff.
No-weapon policy still in effect for non-security employees
Only approved personnel with job responsibilities for [employer name redacted] security will have permission to carry weapons onsite. All other employees must still comply with the current no-weapons policy, meaning they may not carry a firearm into any [employer name redacted] facility.
In accordance with state law, employees may keep a firearm in their locked vehicle in [employer name redacted] parking lots. (See the FAQs for more details.)
Education is essential
"Run. Hide. Fight." is a safety best practice when it comes to a hostile intruder scenario. Developed by the Houston Mayor’s Office of Public Safety and promoted by the Department of Homeland Security, it will be incorporated into our mandatory security training later this year. We’ll also be sharing an adapted version of the video in the coming days.
The goal is to be better prepared for any threat that may arise. And the best way to do that is to make sure employees know what to do in case of an emergency. The short answer is whatever is fastest and safest. You can:
• Press a distress button if one is accessible nearby
• Call 911 (9911 from a desk phone) to alert law enforcement, who will alert our security team
• Call to alert our security team, who will alert law enforcement
“We understand how people might be afraid that something like this could happen at one of our offices,” [name redacted] said. “We want employees to know we’re listening to their concerns and that their safety is a priority.”
Safety also comes from empowering employees
If you see something, say something. While there are a variety of potential threats, the most common in workplace violence is when domestic issues often spill over from home into the office. If you or someone you know feels threatened for any reason, please reach out to the Security and Safety team or confidentially to an HR Business Consultant.
Employees can also refer to our already existing Community and Domestic Violence Resource page that lists contact information for regional community resources throughout the state.



There are many problems in this communication, but these stuck out more than most:

How can "safety come from empowering employees" and "employees may not carry a firearm into a company facility" both be true at the same time?

How can an employee "run, hide, fight" while disarmed?

Suggestion to employees of this company: if something happens, and you do make it to your vehicle wherein your gun is to be found, just leave. You made it to your vehicle.

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