What To Do When Employees Lose Keys After Hours
If you own a business, you trust your employees to take care of the business in the same way you would. However, even great employees make the mistake of misplacing the keys to the building sometimes. This scenario is not ideal, especially if you cannot get to the business to provide a new key, but it can be worked around. Learn what you can do in this scenario.
Perform a Traceback
The best thing to do in this scenario right away is to request that the employees perform a traceback. During this process, any employee who had the key in their possession should retrace their steps around the building. More often than not, this traceback will reveal that someone left the keys in a location that they typically would not by accident.
Contact a Locksmith
Should the traceback yield no result, it is time to contact an emergency locksmith. Emergency locksmiths perform the same steps as their counterparts, but they are available nearly any time or any day of the week. So, should the employee mishap occur at 11:00 pm on a Sunday, you will be able to get the help you need. Even beyond this issue, it is a good idea to keep the name of a locksmith on hand should any problems come up.
Consider a Rekey
After the locksmith comes on-site and assists with locking the door, it is a good idea to schedule a complete rekey. Unfortunately, if the key is misplaced, there is no guarantee that it is lost in the building. Someone could have stolen the key with the intent of returning at a later time. To protect your business, a good solution to this problem is to have all the exterior locks replaced so that new keys can be cut.
Incorporate a Smart-lock System
Whether you live far away from your business or travel frequently, it is helpful to have a system in place that can help avoid this type of scenario. One option is to incorporate a smart-lock system. Smart-lock systems often rely on a keypad to lock and unlock the door. Many of these systems can also be accessed via a smartphone. If you want to explore this option, a locksmith can help.
If you find yourself dealing with an after-hours lockout or key misplacement, remember a professional can help. Contact an emergency locksmith professional to get the assistance you need.