Five facts you should know about lone working

Updated 7th February, 2025

We surveyed both lone workers and executives to understand the current state of lone working, uncover key challenges, and identify emerging trends. Here are five key takeaways from our report that every employer should know about lone working. 

1: The number of lone workers is growing worldwide

It’s estimated that around 20% of the UK’s working population are classified as lone workers. With the pandemic causing a steep rise in remote and lone working, these figures should only continue to grow. In fact, 46% of executives surveyed think the number of lone workers in their organisation will increase over the next 2-3 years. According to Exactitude Consultancy, the lone worker market is expected to expand at significant rates, exhibiting a CAGR of 23.19% between now and 2030. 

2: Lone working may be becoming riskier

Executives reported that all main risks associated with lone working have increased in recent years. Incidents involving lone workers are common across all industries, with 64% of companies having experienced an incident involving a lone worker in the past three years. Unfortunately, 29% of incidents are categorised as either severe (21%) or very severe (8%). Worryingly, nearly 29% of lone workers also report feeling unsafe at least once a year. 

3. Violence against lone workers is on the rise

Incidents of aggression and abuse towards lone workers have spiked in the past few years, from 9% in 2021 to a whopping 17% in 2024. What’s more, when it comes to personal safety, 31% of lone workers are most concerned about violence and aggression from others. These figures reflect a changing landscape, and the clear need for action. Data shows that 46% of executives expect violence/aggression/abuse to be the biggest challenge for lone workers over the next 3-5 years.

4: Your workers might not feel as protected as you think 

It’s clear that there’s a significant gap between executives’ and lone workers’ perceptions of safety. While 91% of executives rate their organisation’s commitment to lone worker safety as a perfect 10, only 49% of lone workers agree. Additionally, while half of executives believe safety is prioritised equally with financial targets and deadlines, 29% of lone workers feel it is less prioritised. These differences underscore the need for better alignment between leadership and frontline workers.

5: The use of lone worker safety solutions is climbing

Lone working safety is expected to become an even greater priority, with 67% of executives predicting its growing importance. As organisations anticipate an increase in lone workers over the next few years, the majority foresee a rise in safety spending (66%). When it comes to investing in a lone worker solution, the most important features for lone workers and executives alike are ease of use, ease of rollout, security and training support. 

Connected safety solutions like EcoOnline’s Lone Worker Solution is designed with end-users in mind, providing a frictionless experience along with comprehensive training, onboarding and support so you can get up and running quickly. EcoOnline also utilises the latest mobile and GPS technology to provide an easier and more reliable way to keep lone workers safe.