A workplace crime is any criminal activity, usually internal happening in a place of work. The most common workplace crime is theft of equipments, raw materials or products. However, the computer era has ushered in another type of crime, identity theft, which affects an organization internally and externally. As a security manager of a medical research and development centre working to create life-sustaining equipment, treatments and drugs, common workplace crime include doing harm towards test animals and patients. This can be prevented by ensuring that the animals are placed under conditions similar to those in their natural habitats such as proper feeding, care and cleaning of their habitats. The theft of a company’s property can be stopped by implementing a policy that ensures that all company property leaving the premises is documented and approved by an authorised manager (IFPO, 2007).
Another possible criminal threat is the deliberate or involuntary mix-up of drug ingredients to produce a drug that is either inefficient or harmful (Ordranaux 2006, 280). Such deliberate action can be curbed by proper supervision and taking sample tests to measure the standard of the drugs. Involuntary mix-ups can be avoided through ensuring that the personnel entrusted with the task of making the drugs are well qualified, experienced and specialised. It is also important to ensure all equipments and drugs have the company’s logo and standardisation mark. Packaging of the products should be done using seals and consumer warnings to avoid purchase of interfered products.
-
0
Preparing Orders
-
0
Active Writers
-
0%
Positive Feedback
-
0
Support Agents
The theft of a company’s property can be stopped by implementing a policy that ensures that all company’s property leaving the premises is documented and approved by an authorised manager (McEwen, 1989, 48). Unauthorised entry into the organisation is prevented by installing an alarm system that will enable security guards respond to any break of security access systems. Security cameras strategically situated at different locations of the property will aid the monitoring of activity within the property (IFPO, 2007, 7). Besides cameras, regular security patrols are an added advantage. In addition, security access systems can be installed (IFPO, 2007, 7). Proper lighting and use of reception points to usher in visitors is also an important security measure. Moreover, employees should be held accountable for the company’s property they use to avoid theft and destruction of the property. The human resource department should be warned against hiring recruits or employees with criminal backgrounds.
Another form of high technology theft prevailing in companies is identity theft (IFPO 2007.12). This is the theft of a company’s secrets through hacking into computers and using the information to jeopardize the company. For example, the computer can be used to dig up some dirty company’s secrets like a history of harming test animals. The information is exchanged for money to the animal protection organizations or rival companies who then use it to tarnish a company’s public image (IFPO, 2007, 219). Such crime threats can be avoided by setting up a central staff computer lab that should always be locked if not in use. Room and major keys should only be given to specific persons and computer equipments should also be marked with a company’s identification. Passwords should be installed to regulate the access of delicate information via the company’s computers.
In conclusion, common security threats of a company that uses animals and people as testers of experimental drugs and medical devices are property theft, identity theft, and harm towards test animals, interference into the manufacturing and packaging process and a threat from those who criticize animal testing. The threats can be countered by installation of security and alarm systems, hiring of qualified employees, installing security cameras, protecting computer information and apprehending a ‘screening’ policy.