UK firms are at risk due to their blasé attitude towards security, new research suggests.
The study, by Lloyds TSB Insurance, found that,despite increased threats ranging from computer hackers to terrorist attacks, workers are doing little to protect themselves and their company.
One in ten workers admitted to ignoring strangers they saw wandering around their company's building, while a quarter said they had left office windows and doors unlocked.
In additon, 47per cent confessed to putting confidential business information at risk by leaving their computer on overnight and one in five admitted they had never thought about their own workplace safety.
The report highlights the crucial role employers have in making sure employees are fully aware of the importance of security.
8 per cent of workers said they were unaware of their company's security procedures, while over 40% reported bosses had never made it clear that the company would not be insured if they failed to follow security precautions.
The cost of employers liability insurance has risen sharply over recent years due to the UK's growing compensation culture. Yet many insurance claims are unsuccessful as employees fail to take basic security steps such as locking up important equipment.
Phil Loney, of Lloyds TSB Insurance, said: "If there were any time you'd expect workers to be on their guard - it would be now, in the current climate.
"And yet a staggering number of employees admit they're literally waiting for a disaster to happen and are doing little to protect themselves or the companies they work for.
"Most companies need to do more to drive home the message that if staff fail to put into practice the most basic security measures, they may not be covered for the consequences - and that would be a disaster."
