Workplace violence has emerged as a top concern for employers. Employees too are becoming increasingly concerned about the potential for some type of violence in the workplace where they spend at least one-third of their adult lives. Workplace violence can often include the use of weapons such as guns, knives, and/or explosives. However, other types of workplace violence exist including verbal threats, pushing, and/or 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: (1) the number of these signs that occur, (2) the frequency that these behaviors occur and (3) the intensity by which these signs are demonstrated. The following is a list of early warning signs:
• Employee bringing weapons (concealed or openly) to the workplace.
• Intimidation of other employees (verbal or physical).
• Employees who exhibit extremely suspicious and paranoid behaviors.
• Employees having a history of unstable or violent behavior.
• Employees who have difficulty accepting suggested modifications of their work or a critique of their job performance.
• Employees who exhibit outbursts of rage.
• Employees who are preoccupied with weapons of mass destruction including semi-automatic and automatic firearms.
• The employee, who is chronically “on edge,” suffers from frequent mood swings and exhibits frequent problems in impulse control.
• Employees who may have suffered from a traumatic situation such as financial or personal loss, and perceive themselves as being desperate or trapped.
• Employees who have problems with alcohol or other drugs, especially those who tend to become violent when under the influence of these substances.
• Employees who feel that the organization they work for has a moral obligation to retain them as employees no matter what.
Employers can develop prevention plans which include the utilization of a crisis management team consisting of personnel from security, human resources, legal counsel and specialists in assessing 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 other employees.
Other protective measures include security systems to control building access, referral of the potentially violent employee to an employee assistance program for 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.
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