Locksmith advice
Staff Left With a Key? Business Lock Security Guide for Williamstown Shops & Offices
What Williamstown businesses should do about keys when staff leave, how master key systems work, and simple commercial lock upgrades that reduce risk.
By the team at Williamstown Locksmith Service · 1 October 2026
Keys walk out the door with staff more often than owners realise. Even with trusted ex-employees, an uncontrolled key is a risk to your stock, your data and sometimes your insurance.
Step 1: Do a key audit
Write down every door and every key holder. If you can't confidently answer "who can open the front door right now?", it's time to act.
Step 2: Rekey the doors that matter
You don't always need to rekey the whole building. Prioritise:
- Main entry and rear/delivery doors
- Stockrooms, offices and cash areas
- Anything accessed by the departing person
Step 3: Consider a master key system
A master key system lets each person open only the doors they need, while managers hold a master. Benefits:
- Fewer keys in circulation
- Cleaner handover when staff change
- Restricted keyways (where used) make unauthorised copies harder
Step 4: Fix the "lock nobody trusts"
The back door that needs a shoulder shove, the roller door lock that sticks in winter — these get left unlocked. Repairs are often quick and cheap compared with a loss.
Step 5: Keep a key register
Name, key number, date issued, date returned. Simple, and invaluable.
How we help
We work with Williamstown retail, hospitality and office businesses on rekeying, lock repairs, replacement hardware and practical upgrades. See our commercial locksmith services or call 03 6413 6719. Open Monday 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM, Tuesday–Sunday 7:00 AM – midnight.