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Warning Signs of Workplace Violence
Workplace violence is most likely to occur in workplaces that:
+ Don't have company policies or do have managers that ignore threats;
+ Fail to properly screen new employees;
+ Don't provide proper training and coaching for employees;
+ Create a high-stress workplace;
+ Terminate employees without due process;
+ Fail to enforce sexual harassment policies or disciplinary procedures;
+ Ignore employees' complaints about another employee's behavior;
+ Subject employees to frequent change and uncertainty as to the future;
+ Or have inadequate security measure and procedures in place.
Often a potentially violent employee begins with threats.
The correct response is for the threatened employee to bring this to the manager or supervisor's attention. The manager should then speak directly to the threatening employee and ask them what they are planning to do and why they are angry. This gives the employee a chance to realize the seriousness of his remarks and also send the message that management will deal with the situation.
Educate and train your employees about violence in the workplace.
Your employees depend on you for guidance on how to prevent and respond to violence in the workplace. It's imperative that your employees be given the information and be taught the skills that can be used to protect them and your organization from violence.
The agency should provide additional training for management staff. Contact your security department to schedule all staff for workplace violence prevention training.
How will you handle a violent employee?
This is tricky. Your response could save lives. Experience has shown that in a violent confrontation the best approach is to be as low-key and non-confrontational as you can.
Defuse the situation with calmness. Speak to the person in a level tone of voice and be sure to make eye contact.
Listen without judging and show empathy, whether or not you feel the person deserves it. Your sympathetic listening could avert a violent outburst.
Don't try to be a hero!
If the person has a weapon, get behind a desk or leave the area and call 911 as soon as possible. Warn others to get away. Let law enforcement handle it.
When immediate violence is no longer a threat, take action according to agency policy. Do not feel that by empathizing you have bargained away your right to take disciplinary action.
How do you identify a troubled employee?
Back to Health and Safety
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