Sales Agent Safety

Work Alone Plan

When working alone in the absence of a work alone app, it is important to have a work alone plan established in the event of an emergency.

Below are the key steps to a work alone plan:

 Establish a Work Alone Buddy:

A Work Alone Buddy can be someone who the Sales Agent can:

  • Reach quickly and easily by phone.
  • Check in regularly.
  • Rely on if they feel uncomfortable.
  • Reach out to in an emergency if they cannot use the panic fob or call 911.

A Work Alone Buddy can also be another Sales Agent in the area, a contact with the builder, or the Sales Manager.

External agents can contact other people such as a manager, another agent within the company, a family member, or a friend.

Communicate with the Work Alone Buddy:

It is important to create a communication plan with a Work Alone Buddy, ahead of time.

A communication plan can include:

  • Confirmation of when the Work Alone Buddy should expect the Sales Agent to check in with them, when the Sales Agent is leaving the show home, or when the Sales Agent is ending their shift.
  • Establish two levels of distress codes, so that assistance can be requested without alerting the client.
    • For Example: If the Sales Agent is feeling uncomfortable with the client and would like their Work Alone Buddy to come by so they are not alone, the Sales Agent could request that the Work Alone Buddy bring the “Yellow File.”
    • For Example: If the Sales Agent feels that the situation has become dangerous and they are unable to press the panic fob or call 911, the Sales Agent can call their established Work Alone Buddy and request that they need the “Red File” right away.
  • If no communication has been established between the Sales Agent and the Work Alone Buddy, the Work Alone Buddy must attempt to call the Sales Agent. If no response is received, the Work Alone Buddy must contact the Sales Manager.

The use of a working alone app is applicable in certain regions, for more information about the use of the working alone app, please reach out to your Regional Qualico Health and Safety Team.

For more information regarding working alone, click the following link to refer to the Safe Work Practice for Working Alone. 

Working Alone Best Practices

As a Sales Agent, most of the work conducted will be in a show home for a feature home, where they will be alone with clients. It is important for Sales Agents to understand the requirements of working alone and how to ensure they are kept safe while working alone.

Below are best practices that can be utilized to ensure Sales Agents are kept safe when working alone.

Working in the Show Home:
  • Sales Agents can offer to let the client tour the show home independently. The client can regroup with the Sales Agent after the tour with any questions or comments.
  • Avoid touring large groups alone, if the client insists on the Sales Agent joining the tour, ensure that the Sales Agent is accompanied by another Sales Agent or their Work Alone Buddy.
  • When leaving the show home at the end of the day, Sales Agents are to ensure that the doors are locked, and the show home is armed.
  • If a Sales Agent suspects that an individual is still in the show home when leaving, it is important that they do not go look for them, announce that the show home is being closed, leave, and lock the premises. The Sales Agent should ensure to call the Sales Manager or the local police department.
  • The Sales Agent should have their keys or key card ready when approaching the show home. Sales Agents should not spend time at the front door searching inside of a bag, purse, or pockets.
  • While clients are in the home, Sales Agents should be mindful of distractions and be cautious about when answering calls or text messages and be aware when groups of clients split up.
  • Sales Agents are to ensure a panic fob is being worn and visible and advise clients about the cameras on site.
Vehicle Safety:
  • Keep vehicle keys close by and accessible.
  • Vehicles are to be kept in good working condition and ensure there is fuel in the tank.
  • Park in well-lit areas close to the show home. Vehicles should not be blocked in by other cars, and if parked in the driveway, ensure that it is backed in for the easiest exit.
  • Sales Agents are to avoid drawing attention to their vehicle, by always keeping valuables out of sight.
Social Media:
  • Sales Agents should know how to report, block, and filter content on social media sites.
  • Ensure privacy settings are personalized. Sales Agents can adjust the privacy settings to a preferred comfort level and select options that limit who can view their information and profile.
  • Be selective with friend requests. If the individual is not familiar, Sales Agents should not accept their request.
  • If possible, the Sales Agent should turn off their geolocation. If sharing the location is important to the Sales Agent, it may be of benefit to wait to tag the location after the leaving the area.

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