03/ 28/ 2002
"It couldn't happen in this company," is a naive statement when the topic is workplace violence. Newspaper headlines have reported workplace violence in businesses ranging from brokerages to fast food restaurants. The size of businesses range from a handful of employees to major companies with offices on several floors. In today's Workshop, contributor Edith Helmich discusses measures to help prevent violence from occurring in the workplace.
Headlines focus on workplace homicide, leaving a staggering number of less violent incidents that are not brought to the public's attention. The most recent data from the Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics show that about 2,000,000 people were involved in some degree of actual or potential violent crime in the workplace during a four-year period.
Some of the common-sense prevention actions that owners of all companies should implement include the following:
- Pre-employment background checks that specifically address prior workplace episodes of violence,
- Zero tolerance of violence, including both physical actions and verbal threats,
- Proactive training programs for employees to prepare for possible threatening situations, and
- Written policies for discipline, agencies available for assistance referrals, and reporting procedures.
The human-resource professionals available in large companies are typically absent in smaller businesses. There are, however, other local resources available at no-cost or low-cost to assist in the development of policies and prevention strategies.
One of the most readily accessible resources is your local law enforcement agency. Workplace violence-prevention seminars and workshops are commonly offered, if requested. The presence of a police officer, who is speaking as an expert and who may be able to describe local episodes to highlight the information, captures the attention of the participants. Other possible sources of community assistance include local mental-health groups.
Professional groups, such as the Better Business Bureau, may be interested in presenting a program on the topic of preventing workplace violence. The advantage of such a program is that the group may bring in expert, professional speakers. The disadvantage is that the audience is often limited to business owners or members of the management team. Such limited participation is only useful for creating awareness and serving as the catalyst for a more comprehensive workshop.
All employees, including management, should be present at a training program involving violence prevention. Questions from different perspectives are helpful in creating an effective plan. In addition, it is important that everyone in the workplace be aware of individual responsibilities and the total plan.
If the work site is very small with a limited number of employees, it maybe more logical to contact other similar businesses and arrange a combined workshop. Training often occurs at a work site, making the information relevant and immediately enforceable.
Yes, your company -- any company -- COULD be the site for workplace violence. Planning and prevention tactics will reduce that risk considerably.
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