Brett McAllen: Increased Security Fears Driving Serviced Office Growth

Serviced office security is becoming a leading consideration for businesses concerned about aggressive customers, unwanted visitors and vandalism. Employers increasingly want greater protection for staff without the cost and stress of managing workplace security themselves.

Brett McAllen, CEO of @WORKSPACES, said office discussions now extend beyond rent, location and meeting rooms. Businesses are also asking who can get through the front door.

“Businesses want a welcoming workplace, but they also want control over who enters it,” McAllen said.

“An angry customer arriving unannounced, someone refusing to leave, or an unfamiliar person wandering into a working area can quickly become a frightening situation.”

“For a small team in a standalone office, dealing with that can fall directly on the business owner or whichever employee happens to be closest to the door.”

Serviced Office Security Goes Beyond The Front Door

McAllen said professionally managed serviced offices can provide several layers of security. Establishing those measures independently can cost businesses considerable time and money. Depending on the location, facilities may include controlled building entry, electronic access systems, CCTV, lockable private offices and staffed reception during business hours. Established visitor management processes can also help businesses control access.

McAllen added that @WORKSPACES sites include security CCTV, dedicated reception facilities and AI facial recognition-capable systems. The company designed these measures to provide high levels of security and safety for businesses, staff and clients.

“The value is in those measures working together,” McAllen said.

“A managed reception provides a point of contact before a visitor reaches your team. Controlled access helps restrict entry, while private offices create another boundary around your working space.”

“Businesses want to know there is a process for visitors and someone to contact when something does not look right.”

Customer Aggression Is An Office Issue Too

McAllen said businesses must recognise that difficult interactions with customers can extend into professional workplaces. Disagreements over services, payments or business decisions may create situations that employees must manage at their workplace.

“A dispute over an invoice, a delayed service or a decision someone dislikes can arrive at reception,” he said.

“The concern for employers is what happens next. Can that person walk straight up to an employee’s desk? Who helps if they become threatening? How do you keep the rest of the team away from the situation?”

Australian workplace safety authorities recognise abuse, threats and assaults involving customers, clients and other visitors as forms of workplace violence and aggression.

“Staff should feel supported when they come to work,” McAllen said.

“Having managed premises, clear visitor arrangements and a way to escalate concerns can make a meaningful difference.”

The Security Bill Businesses Do Not Want

McAllen said protecting a conventional office requires ongoing management beyond installing security cameras. Businesses must maintain access systems, manage entry credentials and review security arrangements when employees leave, or circumstances change.

“There are access systems to administer, keys or passes to manage, equipment to maintain and arrangements to review when staff leave, or circumstances change,” he said.

“Then there are concerns about attempted break-ins, vandalism and what happens when the office is empty.

“Business owners do not want another list of suppliers, maintenance appointments and unexpected bills. They want those everyday building arrangements professionally managed.”

McAllen said serviced offices distribute the cost of shared security infrastructure and building management across multiple occupiers. However, the specific services and security measures depend on each centre and its agreement. This shared approach can help smaller businesses access infrastructure without funding and managing everything independently.

“That can give smaller businesses access to a level of infrastructure and support that would be difficult to justify funding alone.”

Peace Of Mind Becomes Part Of The Serviced Office Package

McAllen said serviced office security is increasingly influencing how businesses assess the overall value of a workplace. Employers want to understand visitor access arrangements, after-hours security and the processes for handling incidents. These considerations now form part of broader decisions about workplace suitability and management.

“Employers are asking how visitors enter, what happens after hours and who they call if there is a problem,” he said.

“A serviced office does not remove every risk, and each business still needs arrangements suited to its team and clients.”

“But it takes much of the day-to-day management of the premises off their shoulders.”

“Businesses want to focus on their work with confidence that someone is managing the workplace around them. That peace of mind is becoming a powerful reason to move.”

About @WORKSPACES

@WORKSPACES is a premium, Australian-owned flexible workspace provider delivering enterprise-grade, on-demand office solutions across Australia. With locations in Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, the company offers serviced offices, coworking environments, virtual office solutions and meeting facilities designed to support modern businesses.

Led by CEO Brett McAllen, @WORKSPACES is focused on delivering high-quality, flexible and scalable workspace solutions that enable organisations to operate efficiently and competitively in a rapidly evolving business landscape. For more information, visit: www.atworkspaces.com.au.