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Wells Fargo Insurance Services Workplace Violence Prevention and Response Michelle Cross, ARM, CPE, CBCP Senior Vice President November 18, 2009
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Wells Fargo Insurance Services
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55 The Facts
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Wells Fargo Insurance Services What is Violence? Actions exerted for the purpose of violating, damaging or abusing Physical and non-physical
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Wells Fargo Insurance Services Just the threat of violence can render a company inoperative. There is no work without employees.
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Wells Fargo Insurance Services Nature of Violence Offensive language Obscene phone calls Harassment Threats Intimidation Assault Rape Shooting Stabbing Suicide
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Wells Fargo Insurance Services Magnitude In 2007: 16,840 violent incidents at work (causing lost time) In 2008: 794 homicides (16% occupational fatalities)
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Wells Fargo Insurance Services Study 2005 7,361,560 establishments reported violent incident in prior 11 months Criminal, Customer, Co-worker, Domestic Impacts Absenteeism Insurance claims Turnover Fear levels Morale
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Wells Fargo Insurance Services Accident Ratio Study Deaths Aggravated Assault - Robbery, Rape Simple Assault 1 420 1,480
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Wells Fargo Insurance Services Victim-Offender Relationships Employment relationship Personal relationships (real or perceived) Recipient of goods/services/care No relationship they just want what you have, or they want you to stop having it
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Wells Fargo Insurance Services Note: Detail may not add to totals because of rounding. *Fewer than 10 sample cases.” Victim Offender Relationships Intimate Other relative Acquaintance – Coworker Stranger
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Wells Fargo Insurance Services “Typical” Offender History of violent behaviors Little or no criminal record Fascination with weapons Unstable work history Alcohol / drug abuse Family / marital problems Poor relationships at work Loner – socially isolated Demonstrated emotional / mental instability Works in high pressure setting White male 30s and 40s
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Victim-Offender Relationship
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Wells Fargo Insurance Services Escalating Behaviors Warning Signs Inconsistent work patterns Attendance problems Behavior changes Stress in personal life Paranoia Blaming others Obsessive interest in coworker Predicting harm to others Intimidating/outlandish behavior Testing limits of acceptable behavior
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Wells Fargo Insurance Services Motivation for Violent Behavior at Work Criminal behavior Firing/layoff Prejudice Personal problems Romantic obsession Dissatisfaction with company Interpersonal conflict Anger about disciplinary action
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Wells Fargo Insurance Services Factors Increasing Risk of Violence Management’s failure to fulfill commitments Poor labor-management relations Inconsistent rules and discipline Ineffective grievance procedures Perception of employees as tools Unclear goals and expectations Poor relationships with co-workers and supervisor
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21 The Planning
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Wells Fargo Insurance Services Prevention Begins with Planning Create WPV policy statement Assess and control hazards Fair/Confidential HR Policies Proactively manage stress Report/investigate all incidents Train/educate staff Manage aggressive behavior
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Wells Fargo Insurance Services Should include: Policy Statement Zero tolerance for all forms of WPV No weapons Procedure for reporting and investigating Define consequences for WPV No reprisals for reporting violence Senior management endorsed and supported
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Wells Fargo Insurance Services Physical Security Lighting (inside and outside) Communications (phones, alarms, emergency phone numbers) Security personnel (trained professionals) Surveillance equipment Controlled access Limited access areas
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Wells Fargo Insurance Services Sample Rings of Protection (US Chemical Industry)
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Wells Fargo Insurance Services Fair & Confidential HR Policies Hiring process Background/reference checks Supervisor/manager training Discipline, termination techniques/policies Substance abuse policies Layoff/downsizing preplanning WPV incident handling Conflict resolution procedures
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Wells Fargo Insurance Services Managing Stress Proactively Planning for layoffs, downsizings, restructuring EAP available to all staff Integrity hotlines
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Wells Fargo Insurance Services Training People skills Conflict resolution Aggression management Performance reviews Disciplinary procedures Hiring/interview process Termination process
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Wells Fargo Insurance Services 29 The Response
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Wells Fargo Insurance Services Emergency Response Shelter in Place vs. Evacuation Track employees Evacuation outside building Sheltered / safe location Drills De-escalation
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Wells Fargo Insurance Services Community Based Relationships Establish relationships Police Emergency responders Fire Department Coordinate response
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Crisis Communications First Priority is Emergency Communications Protect Employees Methods Alarms / Signals Differ by event Automated messages
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Wells Fargo Insurance Services Crisis Communications TRAINED Spokesperson Timely communications Media Families Customers Regulatory Agencies Scripts Rehearse
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Business Continuity Plan Violence is a crisis event Make sure BCP addresses human-centric events Disruptions to operations Employee Concerns Possible Crime Scene Unable to access job site
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Wells Fargo Insurance Services Summary People tend to view WPV incidents as instantaneous occurrences, however, there are typically many opportunities to interrupt the progression leading to the incident. WPV is a risk that can usually be controlled IF management is willing to invest the time, effort & resources necessary to do so. When WPV occurs, activate crisis plans immediately
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Wells Fargo Insurance Services 38 Thank you! Michelle Cross 617-204-2529 michelle_cross@wellsfargois.com © 2009 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. For public use.
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