Workplace Violence

1. Workplace Violence Charles L. Feer, JD, MPA

2. Workplace Violence • Any act of physical violence, harassment, intimidation or other threatening behavior that takes place in the workplace.

3. Going “Postal”Mass murder in the workplace by an unstable employee.

4. Some Statistics: • 564 people are murdered at work each year. Second leading cause of occupational death. (2010) • 30 multiple-fatality workplace homicides in 2008, resulting in 67 homicides and 7 suicides. • Shootings account for 80% of all homicides in the workplace. • Robbers were the assailants in 40% of the cases.

5. More Statistics • 12% of workplace shootings were committed by coworkers / former coworkers. • Women were most often the victims. • Why women?

6. Victim Profiling • If there is an attack at a place of business, it will begin with the “front person” Receptionist. • Personnel / Human Resources: • Poor Review, Reprimanded, • Being Terminated, Laid Off. • Domestic Violence spilling over to the workplace.

7. Victim Profiling • Robberies and related crimes: • Convenience Store Clerks • Fast-Food Restaurant Workers • Work at night. • Work alone.

8. Categories of Workplace Violence • Type I – No legitimate relationship with targeted workplace. • Robber • Type II – Recipient of some service provided by the targeted workplace. • Health care, social services, counseling, education. • Victims will be nurses, social workers, teachers, therapists.

9. Categories of Workplace Violence • Type III – Offender is an Employee or Former Employee. • Disgruntled: • Fired, Laid-Off, demoted, embarrassed, lost benefits.

10. Categories of Workplace Violence • Type IV – Offender has personal or intimate relationships with an employee. • Domestic Violence spilling over to the workplace.

11. Type III Workplace Violence can be predicted. • Threats to kill or do harm to oneself or others. • Pattern of escalating threats. • Builds over time. • Warning Signs: • See Handout Many Threats turn out to be harmless. Error on the side of caution!

12. Type III Workplace Violence Characteristics • Alcohol Use • Past history of aggression in the workplace. • Lack of self-esteem. • Perception of Interpersonal justice. • Lack of respect, courtesy, dignity. • Use of psychological aggression in the workplace. (“Bullying”) • Hostile Teasing, Harassment, Humiliation.

13. Note Warning • When a person experiences or perceives something that generates anger, that person may take it out on others, at work or at home.

14. Threat Assessments in the Workplace • Nature and context of the threat. • Identified Target? • Apparent motivation of the person who makes the threat? • Ability of the person to carry out the threat? • Person’s background – past violent behavior?

15. Violence Risk Assessments • Profiling is prediction. • Statistical Probability • Can never be certain. THE BEST PREDICTOR OF FUTURE BEHAVIOR IS PAST BEHAVIOR IN SIMILAR SITUATIONS.

16. Quiz • 1) Workplace violence is most likely to occur in jobs that involve contact with criminals, or cash or working alone at night. True False

17. Quiz, • 2) Being laid off or fired, or fearing that outcome, may push an unstable person to violence. • True • False (continued)

18. Quiz, • 3) You might be alert for workplace violence from an employee who: • a) Is loud and talkative • b) Complains often about unfair or disrespectful treatment. • c) Is dating a co-worker. (continued)

19. Quiz, • 4) An employee who threatens violence can be safely ignored, since s/he is unlikely to follow through. • True • False (continued)

20. Quiz, • 5) The combination of personal and work problems can push an emotionally fragile person over the edge, sometimes with violent results. • True • False (continued)

21. End