If a departure is hostile and keys were not returned, treat every lock that person could open as compromised until you change access. For calmer exits, use the risk table below. A returned key is one control signal. It does not prove that no copy exists. Standard residential-style keys can be copied at many retail cutters. Restricted keyways limit who can order copies; they still do not turn a returned key into proof that zero copies were ever made.
Swift Key San Diego is a referral service. Independent licensed locksmiths inspect the hardware, confirm they can work within your master-key system, and set price and schedule.
The departure decision framework
| Departure type | Keys returned? | Risk level | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Termination, hostile or contentious | No | Critical | Rekey affected openings as soon as you have authority |
| Termination, hostile or contentious | Yes | High | Rekey affected openings; a returned key is not proof of no copies |
| Resignation, acrimonious split | No | High | Rekey affected openings |
| Resignation, acrimonious split | Yes | High | Rekey affected openings |
| Amicable exit, keys returned | Yes | Moderate | Rekey before you issue keys to the next hire, or sooner if the role was sensitive |
| Amicable exit, short tenure, low access | Yes | Lower | Judgment call based on what they could open |
| Layoff, keys returned, no grievance | Yes | Moderate | Rekey before you change staffing in that space |
Do not treat the last column as a legal deadline. It is a planning aid. Your lease, landlord, and any alarm or insurance contracts may add their own rules.
What a commercial rekey involves
A locksmith re-pins each cylinder so old keys stop working. Doors and frames stay if the hardware is sound. Master-key and mortise work is more specialized than a single storefront deadbolt.
Ask for an itemized quote that lists:
- Each opening and cylinder
- Whether the lock sits in a master-key hierarchy
- Extra keys and which tier they belong to
- Any cylinder that must be replaced
- After-hours terms only if you requested them
Swift Key does not set commercial rekey fees. Call for a referral, then get the total from the locksmith before work begins.
Master key systems change the scope
If the building uses a master key system, identify the highest key the person held or might have copied.
- A change key affects one lock or a small set.
- A sub-master can affect every lock in that group.
- A grand master can affect the whole system.
Rekeying the wrong tier leaves other doors on the old bitting. A locksmith who understands the chart should audit which cylinders must change.
Restricted keyways make unauthorized retail copies harder because blanks are controlled. That is a control improvement, not a certificate that no copy exists.
Beyond the front door: the full checklist
Alarm codes. Delete or change that person’s code. If the panel only has a shared code, change it.
Gate remotes and fobs. Revoke credentials in the access-control software when you have it. Unmanaged remotes may need a system reprogram.
Server rooms and IT. Physical locks plus VPN, admin passwords, and shared logins.
Safes and cash drawers. Change combinations they knew. Electronic safes may allow an owner reset. Mechanical combinations may need a locksmith.
Vehicle keys. Account for fleet keys and document missing ones.
Key issuance log. If you do not have one, start it: who received which key, what it opens, date, and return.
Structural upgrades (optional)
Access control. Electronic credentials can be revoked in software. Upfront cost and wiring vary. See access control systems.
Restricted keyways. Copies typically go through the dealer of record with written authorization. Useful for sensitive rooms. Not required for every small office.
These upgrades do not remove the need to handle the current departure.
Records
Some industries keep access-change records because of contracts or internal policy. That is not a claim that every San Diego business has the same HIPAA or insurance duty. If your counsel or insurer requires a work order, ask the locksmith for a dated invoice listing openings rekeyed and keys issued. Keep it with the departure file.
Frequently asked questions
Should I rekey after firing an employee?
In almost every case where they had a working key, yes, especially after a hostile exit or a missing key. A returned standard key still leaves the copy question open.
How fast can a business be rekeyed in San Diego?
The independent locksmith sets timing after counting openings and checking the master-key chart. Swift Key does not book an appointment clock.
How much does it cost to rekey a small business in San Diego?
Ask for an itemized cylinder list and a written total. Hardware grade and master-key work change the job. Swift Key does not publish a business rekey fee.
Does it matter if the employee returned their keys?
Yes for your log. No as proof that no duplicate exists.
What if the employee had a master key?
Scope follows the tier: one lock, a group, or the building. Have the system audited before pinning.
What else should I change besides the locks?
Alarm codes, fobs, electronic credentials, safe combinations they knew, and digital access tied to the same role.
Ready to rekey?
If an employee has left and you control those doors, a commercial rekey is the usual hardware response. For a broader assessment, see commercial locksmith.
Call (858) 400-4082 for a referral. The matched locksmith confirms authorization, feasibility, and price.