Staff turnover is a normal part of running a business, but it comes with a security question many owners overlook: what about the keys and access that person had? When an employee leaves, whether on good terms or not, any access they held is a loose end until you deal with it. Skipping this step leaves a real vulnerability. At Super G&R Locksmith, we help Calgary businesses handle turnover securely. Here are the steps you should not skip.
Collecting Keys Isn’t Enough
The natural first step when someone leaves is to collect their keys. That is necessary, but it is not sufficient, and here is the catch: you have no way of knowing whether they made copies. A standard key can be duplicated by almost anyone, so a returned key does not guarantee there are no other copies out there. For any departure where security matters, you need to invalidate the old keys, not just collect the visible ones. This is a core reason businesses turn to commercial locksmith services in Calgary at turnover.
Rekey After Sensitive Departures
The reliable way to invalidate old keys is rekeying. Rekeying changes the internal pins of the affected locks so that all previous keys stop working, and new keys are issued.
| Situation | Recommended step |
|---|---|
| Routine departure, keys returned | Consider rekeying sensitive areas |
| Departure on bad terms | Rekey affected locks promptly |
| Key not returned | Rekey without delay |
| Master key held by the employee | Rekey the system as needed |
You do not necessarily have to rekey after every single departure, but for sensitive roles, departures on poor terms, or any case where a key was not returned, rekeying promptly closes the gap. It is far less disruptive than the alternative of discovering that a former employee still has working access.
The Case for Access Control
This is exactly where electronic access control shines, and why many businesses move to it. With a keypad or fob-based system, an employee’s access is a credential you can deactivate instantly when they leave, no rekeying, no collecting and reissuing keys to everyone else. You simply remove their code or fob, and their access is gone. For businesses with regular turnover, keypad and access control turns a disruptive rekey into a two-minute administrative task. It also gives you a record of who came and went, which keys never provide.
Don’t Forget the Details
A thorough turnover checklist goes beyond the main door. Consider all the access the person had: exterior doors, interior and storage areas, alarm codes, and any keys to cabinets, safes, or equipment. Alarm and safe codes should be changed, not just building keys. Thinking through every point of access the departing employee held ensures nothing is missed. It is the overlooked back door or storage room key that becomes a problem later.
Make It a Standard Process
The best approach is to make secure offboarding a standard, routine part of how your business handles departures, rather than something you scramble to figure out each time. Having a clear process, collect keys, rekey or deactivate access, change relevant codes, and check every point of access, means turnover is handled cleanly every time. A relationship with a commercial locksmith makes the rekeying side quick and reliable whenever you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Isn’t collecting the employee’s keys enough?
No. A standard key can be copied by almost anyone, so a returned key does not guarantee there are no other copies. For any security-sensitive departure, you need to invalidate the old keys by rekeying, not just collect the visible ones.
Do I have to rekey after every employee leaves?
Not necessarily, but you should rekey promptly for sensitive roles, departures on bad terms, or any case where a key was not returned. Rekeying changes the pins so all old keys stop working, closing the gap.
How does access control help with turnover?
With a keypad or fob system, you deactivate a departing employee’s credential instantly, no rekeying or reissuing keys to everyone else. It also records who entered and when, which keys cannot do, making turnover a quick administrative task.
What besides door keys should I address?
Everything the employee could access: interior and storage areas, alarm codes, and keys to cabinets, safes, or equipment. Change alarm and safe codes too, not just building keys, so no point of access is missed.
Handle Turnover Securely
Clean offboarding protects your business from loose ends. Super G&R Locksmith helps Calgary businesses rekey and manage access at turnover.
Call Super G&R Locksmith at (403) 461-7473, or visit #101 2750 3 Ave NE, Calgary, AB. We are available 24/7.
