Workplace Violence

According to OSHA, murders in the workplace are the leading killer of female employees and the second-leading killer of males. But workplace violence isn't limited to murders. Our articles this week discuss the many faces of workplace violence and what steps you can take to prevent violence and how to recognize the potential for such violence. Is your team working on a workplace violence plan? This should be part of your business continuity efforts.

So many of us believe that we're immune to workplace violence, but this is primarily due to the fact that we just don't understand what workplace violence really is. (Item #1) Workplace violence does not have to be horrific or "violent" but it can result in non-fatal acts of violence which are of an everyday workplace concern. (Item #2) U.S. employers are obliged under the Occupational Safety and Health Act as well as its common-law duty to act reasonably in eliminating or reducing risk of injury to workers or patrons. (Item #3)

On top of the devastating physical and emotional costs, domestic violence affects the workplace in several other ways. (Item #4) Here's what to do before, during and after an incident of workplace violence. (Item #5) One critical strategy for preventing workplace violence is to review what is at the center of every workplace violence situation: employees. (Item #6)

As always, I look forward to hearing about your concerns with regard to business continuity. If there are any topics that you'd like to see covered, email me at [email protected].

Bob Mellinger, President
Attainium Corp

1. Think You're Safe from Workplace Violence? Think Again

Workplace violence is a very hot topic right now. Whether you're thinking of the recent shootings at the Charlie Hebdo office in Paris, France, the shootings of two Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers in Edmonton, Alberta, the attacks against nurses and other healthcare workers that are making the news in Canada and the United States, or the poor treatment of workers in many factories and other work environments through-out the world - workplace violence most definitely deserves your attention.
http://www.drj.com/articles/online-exclusive/think-you-re-safe-from-workplace-violence-think-again.html

2. The Comprehensive Workplace Violence Prevention Strategy and the Non-Violent Threat

Workplace Violence Prevention sends chills down the spines of most people who either are not familiar with the definition of workplace violence or who dread the thought of such a horrific event befalling their place of work or if caught in a public place. But the truth of the matter is that workplace violence prevention is not only about the horrific outcome of a disgruntled person, intimate relationship gone bad or public shooting spree. Workplace Violence in fact consists of low-level behavior and conduct that people resort to on their way towards exacting their vengeance.
http://www.naterassociates.com/comprehensive-workplace-violence-prevention-strategy-non-violent-threat-2/

3. Subduing Violence at Work: Setting Policies to Help Safeguard the Workplace

Employers have a duty to provide a safe workplace. While the concerns are not new, they appear to be on the rise. Within the past year, shootings at three different hospitals and an accidental shooting resulting in the death of a Wal-Mart shopper highlight the heightened visibility. Domestic violence and racial or religious tensions have spilled over into the workplace, which arguably increase an employer's duty to foresee these concerns and be prepared. Note the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's recent guidance on domestic violence.
http://www.workforce.com/articles/21201-subduing-violence-at-work-setting-policies-to-help-safeguard-the-workplace

4. Domestic Violence and the Workplace: Mitigating the Risks

When an abuser tracks down his or her victim at work, everyone is at risk. Victims, families of victims, and coworkers face the threat of physical, emotional, and financial harm, while employers also face the risk of having to bear the cost of civil liability. To protect employees who are victims of domestic violence, coworkers of victims, and also themselves, employers should take steps to mitigate the threats of all violence in the workplace and must be prepared to respond quickly and appropriately if violence strikes.
http://www.nexsenpruet.com/insights/employment-law-update-domestic-violence-and-the-workplace-mitigating-the-risks

5. Basic recommendations for preventing violence in the workplace

This article covers: risk factors of workplace violence, seven prevention measures to take before workplace violence happens, 11 recommendations for victims during an incident of workplace violence, and 10 measures to take after an incident of workplace violence.
http://www.prevention-violence.com/en/int-210.asp

6. Screening Employees to Avoid Workplace Violence

While maintaining a safe workplace is the primary goal of any workplace safety program, many companies - both small and large - fail to engage in a comprehensive background-screening program for employees and contractors. Why is background screening so important in screening out potential work-related violence? And why should current employees and contractors be screened annually?
http://ehstoday.com/safety/management/screening-employees-avoid-workplace-violence-3634