Thomas McGee, L.C. 920 Main Street, Suite 1700 Kansas City, MO (816) * Toll Free (800) PREVENTING VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE

Workplace Violence 2 million workers are victims each year Homicide – 4th leading cause of occupational fatalities in U.S. Homicide – leading cause of death for women in the workplace Total declined by 7% in 2010 Those involving women increased by 13% in % of their alleged attackers were current or former husbands or boyfriends

Agenda What definitions are associated with workplace violence prevention? What are the four categories of workplace violence? What are the general risk factors and common prevention actions? What are the components of an effective prevention program? What do you do after an incident of violence? What are some resources available for this topic?

Definition of a Workplace Building or work area, including offices, reception areas, hallways A remote site when workers are engaged in business A vehicle, private or employer owned, when used for business purposes

Workplace Violence Definition Three main types of violence:  Verbal Abuse / Threats  Threatening Behavior  Physical Assault Any of these behaviors alone or together constitute an incident

Verbal Abuse vs. Threats Are abuse and threats different? Abuse may be intended to hurt feelings or humiliate someone May include profanity Obscene phone calls Threats create fear and cause concern for safety

Four Categories of Violence Violence by Strangers Violence by Customers or Clients Violence by Co-Workers Violence by Personal Relations

Violence By Strangers Usually involves criminal intent Someone enters workplace to commit a robbery or crime

Risk Factors – Violence By Strangers Face-to-face contact with public Exchange money with public Guard valuable property Work late night/early morning Work alone or in small numbers High crime area or community settings Working with unstable or volatile persons (social service and criminal justice settings) Mobile workplaces

Prevention – Violence By Strangers Drop safe or limited access safe Silent alarms Adequate lighting Control access to worksite Install security cameras Provide security personnel Address employee isolation factors Train workers in prevention

Violence By Customers or Clients Assailant receives services from or is under custodial supervision of workplace or victim This type of violence accounts for most non-fatal injuries Assailants can be current or former customers or clients High risk occupations: Bus drivers, social service providers, health care workers, teachers, law enforcement employees

Risk Factors – Violence By Customers and Clients Work in isolation Work after regular hours Site has uncontrolled access Clients with past violent behavior Potential weapons visible and accessible, including desk supplies and heavy objects Lack of quick communication capability to security Lack of escape route

Prevention – Violence By Customers and Clients Provide a quick method to alert security – panic buttons, personal alarms Limit employee isolation with customers or clients Implement client referral and/or assistance programs Set up worksite so employees have easy exit – escape route Eliminate access to any weapons

Violence By Co-Workers Assailant has employment related involvement – usually a current or former employee or manager Often seeking revenge when feel they are a victim of unfair treatment

Staff cuts Excessive overtime Stressful work environment Stress outside of workplace Grievances Personality differences Substance abuse Lack of protocols for discipline History of violent behavior Lack of training Risk Factors – Violence By Co-Workers

Prevention – Violence By Co-Workers Develop management policies for disciplinary actions, lay-off’s, terminations, etc. Prohibit weapons at work Enforce a no tolerance policy for workplace violence Encourage employee assistance and counseling

Violence By Personal Relations Assailant confronts an employee at the worksite with whom they have a personal relationship outside of work Current or Former Spouse Lover Friend Relative Acquaintance

Risk Factors – Violence By Personal Relations Individual with history of violent or threatening behavior Domestic violence offender Lack of providing controlled access to worksite No policy regarding restraining orders or protection of employees dealing with potentially threatening domestic issues

Prevention – Violence By Personal Relations Control worksite access Encourage employees to report harassment, stalking, domestic violence, restraining orders Enforce policies on prevention and how to handle violent confrontations Relocate employee to safe worksite Notify other staff as needed Prohibit weapons

Components of Effective Workplace Violence Prevention Program PlanningPoliciesTraining Physical Security

Planning Establish and implement policies Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Develop training program Review program regularly Planning

Policies Should clearly indicate zero-tolerance of violence at work Review by legal counsel Update periodically as necessary Train on policies New Amended Existing Policies

Training Review policies Implement and/or discuss EAP Practice effective pre- employment screening methods Train management and employees Effective termination and layoff practices Recognize and report potential workplace violence problems Review crisis response plan Training

Physical Security Conduct threat assessment Exterior access control Gates, fencing, alarm system, cameras Interior access control Locked doors, enclosed counters, cameras, door access cards/codes Emergency plans Physical Security

How Employers Can Protect Employees Provide safety education for employees What conduct is not acceptable What to do if they witness or are subjected to workplace violence How to protect themselves Secure the workplace Install video surveillance where appropriate Extra lighting Alarm systems Minimize access by outsiders

How Employers Can Protect Employees (cont.) Equip field staff with cell phones Require field staff to prepare daily work plan and keep a contact person informed of their location throughout the day Keep employer-provided vehicles properly maintained Instruct employees not to enter any location where they feel unsafe Have a “buddy system”, escort or police assistance in potentially dangerous situations

How Employees Can Protect Themselves Learn how to recognize, avoid or diffuse potentially violent situations Alert supervisors to any safety or security concerns Report all incidents immediately in writing Avoid traveling alone into unfamiliar locations or situations when possible Carry only minimal money and required information into community settings

Handling Violent Situations Familiarize yourself with company policies and emergency procedures Report any physical or verbal threats Never touch a violent person Use a calm, non-confrontational approach Take all threats seriously Familiarize yourself with resources available Seek immediate assistance if situation escalates

In Emergency Situation Call 911 and security personnel if you have them Make sure to call using a phone out of sight and hearing of violent person If you can, stay on the line until police arrive Do not intervene physically Get yourself and others to a safe place as soon as possible

Following an Incident of Violence Provide for immediate medical and psychological needs Notify police and support them in their investigation Account for all workers and assure continued safety of those remaining in the area Provide accurate communication to agencies, media and law enforcement Provide EAP or other counseling services for employees if needed Assure confidentiality and protection from discrimination to prevent victims suffering further loss

Following an Incident of Violence (cont.) Assure a detailed investigation is performed Include all incidents and near misses Do not delay, important evidence can be destroyed Focus on fact finding Keep detailed records

Following an Incident of Violence (cont.) Collect facts on who, what, when, where and how incident occurred Get witness statements Photograph damage/injuries Identify contributing causes Recommend corrective action Consider changes in controls, procedures, or policies

Top 10 Ways To Prevent Violence In The Workplace 1. Foster a supportive, harmonious work environment 2. Train supervisors and employees how to resolve conflicts  Negotiating skills  Effective communication  Team building  Resolving disputes 3. Develop effective policies to protect employees from harassment – defines harassment, specifies how to report it, explains how complaints will be investigated, presents consequences

Top 10 Ways To Prevent Violence In The Workplace (cont.) 4. Establish procedures for handling grievances 5. Provide personal counseling through an EAP  Train supervisors how to refer employees for help 6. Implement security programs that protect employees 7. Provide employee safety education programs 8. Provide job counseling for employees who have been laid off or fired 9. Train supervisors how to recognize signs of a troubled employee 10. Set up a crisis plan

Resources Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) - National Crime Prevention Council - National Center for Victims of Crime - Employee Assistance Program Provider

OSHA RESOURCES Go to WWW. OSHA.GOV Search for “workplace violence” in the search box at the top right corner of the home page You will find a great number of useful resources including:

Workplace Violence Prevention Model Policy Sample Forms Threat and Assault Log Five Warning Signs of Escalating Behavior Sample Workplace Weapons Policy

Workplace Violence Prevention (cont) Includes: Risk Factors Prevention Programs Training Resources

Violence Prevention Brochure What is disruptive, threatening, or violent behavior? Preventive steps to maintain a safe workplace Dealing with performance problems or conflicts Indicators of problem behavior How to respond to threatening or violent behavior “In an emergency” Post incident response