Workplace Violence

Workplace Violence

Outline • Knowledge Test • Definitions and 4 Categories • Primary Goals of WPV Training • Top Ten Supervisor Pitfalls • Warning Signs

Second Chances is a private, non-profit residential rehabilitation facility for teenagers who have been released from juvenile detention. Many of the teens have been severe psychological and substance abuse problems. Counselors meet with teenagers in private and group sessions. During these sessions, the counselor is the only adult in the room. Usually, another employee waits outside the treatment room.

Based only on the description provided, which risk factors of WPV apply to the counselors? • Guarding valuable property or possessions. • Working alone or in small numbers • Exchange of Money • Working with unstable or volatile persons.

Warning signs always precede an act of WPV. • True • False

Discrimination and sexual harassment are issues that have nothing to do with WPV. • True • False

Intimidation and harassment are not WPV. • True • False

People who commit workplace violence may be driven to do so because of personal problems at home. • True • False

WPV is any physical assault, threatening behavior, or verbal abuse occurring in the work setting Two WPV Definitions

WPV is now recognized as a specific category of violent crime that calls for distinct responses from employees, law enforcement, and the community. Two WPV Definitions

4 Categories of WPV • Type 1 – Violent acts by criminals who have no other connection with the workplace, but enter to commit robbery or another crime. • Type 2 – Violence directed at employees by customers, clients, patients, students, inmates, or any other for whom an organization provides services

Con’t • Type 3 – Violence against co-worker, supervisor, or managers by a present or former employee. • Type 4 – Violence committed in the workplace by someone who doesn’t work there, but has a personal relationship with an employee.

Primary Goals of WPV Training • To increase sensitivity and awareness of the potential for violence in the workplace/School environment. • To enable us to recognize the early warning signs of a potentially violent person and/or situation.

Con’t • To provide some key elements to aid supervisors and others in dealing with situations involving the potential of violence. • To provide information to encourage the reporting of suspicious incidents through the right channels.

Discounting or ignoring threats Failing to have security personnel nearby when threat of violence appears to be genuine Allowing the supervisor who is a possible victim to conduct the interview with the alleged perpetrator. Avoiding suspension of an individual pending the investigation, because you are afraid of the consequences. Use of confrontational behavior. Neglecting communication with employees who need to know of possible threats or pending danger, after the threat has been determined to be real. Top Ten Supervision Pitfalls to Avoid

Disregarding crisis outline procedure. Acting on impulse and terminating employee on the spot, without conducting an investigation or following the key steps of disciplinary action. Being manipulated by the perpetrator or employee into allowing extra latitude, permitting lower standards or accepting inappropriate behavior. When seeking a restraining order, failing to warn potential victim of possible violence, so they can take extra precautions. Top Ten Supervision Pitfalls to Avoid

Intimidating, belligerent, harassing, bullying, or other inappropriate and aggressive behavior Warning Signs

Dramatic behavior or personality change. Sudden hostility Direct or veiled threats of harm Warning Signs

Bringing weapon to the workplace or inappropriate references to guns Warning Signs

Numerous conflicts with supervisors and other employees Warning Signs

Approval of use of violence to resolve a problem Warning Signs

Statements of fascination with workplace violence incidents Warning Signs

Drug / alcohol abuse Warning Signs

Statements indicating desperation Family, financial or personal problems To the point of contemplating suicide Warning Signs

Questions

Workplace Violence