CJ II / Warm up – Define Workplace Violence

Objectives 1. Raise awareness 2. List prevention strategies 3. Analyze legal issues 4. Identify documentation requirements 5. Design response plans 6. Convert your new expertise into action

What is Workplace Violence (WPV)? Workplace violence is any physical assault, threatening behavior, or verbal abuse occurring in the work setting.

What is Workplace Violence (WPV)? According to the FBI, “WPV includes: Homicide, physical assault, domestic violence, stalking, threats, harassment, bullying, emotional abuse, intimidation, and other forms of conduct that create anxiety, fear, and a climate of distrust in the workplace.”

What is Workplace Violence Cont’d A workplace may be any location either permanent or temporary where an employee performs any work-related duty. This includes, but is not limited to, the buildings and the surrounding perimeters, including the parking lots, field locations, clients’ homes and traveling to and from work assignments.

(4) Types of WPV, and Preventive Strategies for each…  Type I: –Violent acts by criminals who have no connection with the workplace, but enter to commit robbery or another crime  Victims: –Taxi drivers, gas station clerks, night retail clerks, second/third-shift workers  Preventive Strategies: –Emphasis on physical security measures, special employer policies, and employee training (Physical Security Assessment, cameras, panic alarms, hold-up procedures)

Types of WPV and Preventive Strategies  Type II: –Violence directed at employees by customers, clients, patients, students, inmates, or any other for whom an organization provides services  Victims: –Healthcare occupations, police officers, security officers, customer/client service personnel  Preventive Strategies: –Policy, procedures, awareness training

Types of WPV and Preventive Strategies  Type III: –Violence against coworkers, supervisors, or managers by a present or former employee  Victims: –Any employee  Preventive Strategies: –Policy, procedures, training, assessment, observable behaviors

Types of WPV and Preventive Strategies  Type IV: –Violence committed in the workplace by someone who does not work there, but has a personal relationship with an employee an abusive spouse or domestic partner  Victims: –Any employee  Preventive Strategies: –Policy, procedures, training, security department awareness

Potential Results of WPV  Workplace violence damages… trust community sense of security  Every worker has a right to feel safe and secure while on the job

Continuum of Workplace Violence Verbal abuse Threats Assaults Homicide

Statistics  Approximately 2 million people in the United States are victims of workplace violence each year  The Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists homicide as the second leading cause of death within the workplace  Workplace violence costs U.S. businesses about $55 billion annually

Local Statistics The Washington region has seen several workplace homicides in recent months, at sites that range from a Department of Public Works garbage facility to an upscale yoga store. Such workplace killings are on the rise on the area, even as cases have dropped nationwide.

Legal Duties and Obligations General Duty clause, Workers’ Comp and Civil Rights laws require: 1.Workplaces free from recognized hazards 2.Employers responsible for job related injuries 3.Protection from harassment, threats, and violence

Legal Duties and Obligations If an employer takes no action to avert preventable violence, the victim may sue the employer under such claims as negligence.

Legal Duties and Obligations But if an employer takes action to avert preventable violence, the accused may sue the employer for such claims as discrimination, invasion of privacy, false imprisonment, wrongful discharge, defamation.

Legal Duties and Obligations Weigh the risks

Practical Advice for Employers  Adopt a WPV policy and prevention program  Communicate WPV policy to all employees - Provide regular training to all employees  Support victims of WPV and domestic violence – Don’t punish them  Adopt and practice fair and consistent disciplinary procedures for violators

Hiring Practices for the Employer  Pre-employment screening  Review histories of drug or alcohol abuse  Past work conflicts  Criminal convictions  The Interview: –Defensive hostile attitude? –Frequent job changes? –Blames others for problems?

WPV Prevention Program  Written policies address no threats, violence, harassment, drug and alcohol use, weapons  Physical Security Survey  Identify outside sources  Training  Crisis response measures  Consistent enforcement of behavioral standards  Documentation procedures

The WPV Plan  Personalize for your corporate needs  Proactive and preventive – not reactive  Accepts the workplace culture and climate  Does not tolerate bullying, intimidation, lack of trust  Prevents high levels of stress, frustration, and anger  Prevents poor communication  Based on team approach for response  Communicated by managers  Is accepted and enforced TOP DOWN/BOTTOM UP  Is Practiced

Employee Training  Policy and procedure awareness - Medical care, counseling, workers’ comp, legal assistance, and EAP  Risk factors and warning signs  Prevention and defusing techniques  Cultural diversity  Action and assistance plans  Personal protection (buddy system, night escort)  Reporting and record keeping

Risk Factors and Early Warning Signs  Moral righteousness (“I’ve been wronged”)  Can’t (or won’t) take criticism; does nothing wrong  Homicidal or suicidal comments or threats  Holds a grudge, especially against management  Expresses desperation over work or family  Has history of violent behavior (on or off job)  Fascinated with incidents of workplace violence  Intimidating and/or harassing behavior

More Risk Factors and Early Warning Signs  Threats of harm (direct or veiled)  Carrying and/or flashing weapons  Paranoia (“they’re out to get me”)  Drug or alcohol use on the job  Experiencing legal problems  Ignores co-worker safety  Outbursts of anger

Examples of WPV  Verbal threats to inflict bodily harm; including vague or covert threats  Attempting to cause physical harm; striking, pushing and other aggressive physical acts against another person

Examples of WPV  Making false, malicious or unfounded statements against coworkers, supervisors, or subordinates…  Inappropriate remarks, such as making delusional statements  Fascination with guns or other weapons, bringing weapons into the workplace

Examples of WPV  Verbal harassment; abusive or offensive language, gestures or other discourteous conduct towards supervisors, fellow employees, or the public  Disorderly conduct, such as shouting, throwing or pushing objects, punching walls, and slamming doors

Let’s Revisit our Objectives 1. Raised awareness 2. Listed prevention strategies 3. Analyzed legal issues 4. Identified documentation requirements 5. Designed response plans

Questions? THE END!

WPV Prevention Program Activity List five ways to help prevent WPV:

The WPV Plan… Small group classroom activity: Create a WPV plan poster. Use your previous list to help develop the poster… Poster must consist of detailed info pertaining to WPV. Use your imagination for design…

Classroom Activity/Research: Research any Workplace Violence case on the student computers: 1. Record your findings of the case and explain the incident in detail. (minimum 100 words) 2. List end result and your opinion of the case. (minimum 50 words) List the title of the case and research website.

Local WPV Trends… The Washington region has seen several workplace homicides in recent months, at sites that range from a Department of Public Works garbage facility to an upscale yoga store. Such workplace killings are on the rise in the area even as cases have dropped nationwide.