3. PREVENTING VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE
Thomas McGee, L.C.
920 Main Street, Suite 1700
Kansas City, MO 64105
(816) * Toll Free (800)
PREVENTING VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE

4. 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 2010
17% of their alleged attackers were current or former husbands or boyfriends

5. 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?

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

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

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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. Risk Factors – Violence By Co-Workers
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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. Components of Effective Workplace Violence Prevention Program
Planning
Policies
Training
Physical Security

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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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

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

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

37. 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