Violence Prevention at Work: More Important Than Ever
Violence at work is on the rise in the U.S., according to experts, with tens of thousands of assault cases occurring on the job annually. While the prevalence of workplace violence varies by industry, with health care workers at highest risk, most employees have at least witnessed—if not been the target of—some form of abuse at work. Workplace violence varies by severity and type as well as industry; it may be emotional, verbal, or physical. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) includes harassment, intimidation, and disruptive behavior in its definition of workplace violence.
Organizations have come to recognize their responsibility to ensure employee safety, both psychological and physical, through various means, from the promotion of civility and a respectful environment to highly specific violence-prevention training to respond to active-shooter scenarios. The FBI and Department of Homeland Security advise having a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP) in place just in case the worst occurs. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) found that organizations with violence-prevention programs reduced violent incidents in their organizations by almost 80 percent.
It’s natural to think “It can’t happen here,” but keep in mind that most active shootings in the United States have occurred at workplaces. And correctly predicting who will become an active shooter is harder than it looks. While some active shooters present as vocal, hostile, and aggressive in their interactions with others, some are quiet, withdrawn, or disconnected, and others are unremarkable in their demeanor. There have been active shootings perpetrated by people of different ages, ethnicities, religions, genders, and political persuasions.
It’s therefore important for all employees to report suspicious activity, threats of violence, or acts of violence, and to know that they’re protected by law from retaliation for doing so.
Let employees know that violence or threats of violence in all forms is unacceptable workplace behavior that will not be tolerated. When organization policy explicitly prohibits not only unauthorized weapons and hazardous materials but also disrespectful behavior at work, everyone is safer. Help employees be prepared in case of a violent event by providing appropriate safety training and policies sooner rather than later.
The best way to prevent workplace violence is to create and maintain an environment that minimizes negative feelings such as isolation and resentment, and promotes open communication, job satisfaction, equitable opportunity and treatment, civility, and respect, alongside a proven anti-violence training program.
For a comprehensive interactive course that provides guidelines for Threat Assessment and red flags for violent-behavior; lays out the FBI-recommended Active-Shooting Response Plan; and discusses how to maintain an emotionally intelligent, psychologically safe workplace see Workplace Violence: From Threats to Active Shootings A Culture of Safety.