Reducing The Risk Of Violence In The Workplace
Dear Dr. LeCrone:
As a human resource director I found your article on substance abuse in the workplace very helpful. I made copies of this article available to our supervisors.
Additionally, if possible, I would like for you to give me some information about violence in the workplace.
Our safety committee is updating our policies to help reduce the risk of violence in our company.
Dear Reader:
Workplace violence can often include the use of weapons such as guns, knives, and/or explosives. But, other types of workplace violence exist including verbal threats, pushing and throwing objects.
Recognizing early warning signs can be helpful in avoiding a workplace disaster.
Professionals often suggest assessing the potential for violence in an employee exhibiting these warning signs by examining the number of these signs that occur, the frequency that these behaviors occur and the intensity by which these signs are demonstrated.
The following is a list of early warning signs:
• Bringing weapons (concealed or openly) to the workplace.
• Intimidation of other employees (verbal or physical).
• Exhibiting extremely suspicious and paranoid behaviors.
• Having a history of unstable or violent behavior.
• Having difficulty accepting suggested modifications in work or a critique on performance.
• Exhibiting outbursts of rage.
• Preoccupation with weapons, including semi-automatic and automatic firearms.
• Being “on edge,” suffering from frequent mood swings and exhibiting frequent problems in impulse control.
• Suffering from traumatic situations such as financial or personal loss.
• Problems with alcohol or other drugs, especially those who tend to become violent when under the influence of these substances.
• Feeling that the organization has a moral obligation to retain an employee no matter what.
Employers can develop prevention plans which include the utilization of a crisis management team that consists of personnel from security, human resources, legal counsel and specialists who access potentially violent employees.
These plans include a series of steps designed to reduce the risk that a potentially violent employee can do to damage the workplace or harm others.
Other protective measures include security systems to control building access, referral of the potentially violent employee to a mental health professional for assessment and possible counseling and training supervisors to recognize signs of the potentially violent employee.
Education, awareness, planning, and teamwork can help organizations reduce the risk of workplace violence.
