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Violence in the Workplace Refuse to be a VICTIM

What Is Workplace Violence? Any physical assault, threatening behavior, or verbal abuse occurring in the workplace. The workplace may be any location either permanent or temporary where an employee partner performs any work-related duty.

Violence--- A killer lurks • Third leading killer of civilians after motor vehicle crashes and machine injuries • Most likely to be a victim at work • Cops • Healthcare • Retail • People working alone at night Denver post/ Healthcare safety bullintin

Is workplace violence really a problem? • Workplace can be deadly • WASHINGTON (AP)--Every time a gunman bursts into a workplace and opens fire, the nation is shocked at the transformation of a place of apparent civility and safety into a killing field. But a Justice Department report released Sunday says one-sixth of all violent crimes in America occur in the workplace. • --Rapid City Journal, Monday, July 24, 1994

Headlines; Colorado • Fired employee held in shooting of co-worker • An hour after he was dismissed, man returned to warehouse and opened fire, Denver police say. • --Rocky Mountain News, Thursday, August 31, 1995

What would you do differently tomorrow if you have an adverse incident occur today? Definitions of Violence July 1, 1992, case study A hospital murder Young man murdered two elderly female patients Perpetrator was a friend and neighbor of both What happened? What would you do different?

Victim one stabbed eight times Victim two witnessed the act and was stabbed 15 times Weapon was a pocket knife What were the signs? Could this have been prevented? Clues to the behavior? Perp acting strange? Was there a argument? Did the perp carry a different “attitude” What were the signs????? Case study

Hospital’s defense ? • Did not know, nor could have known the perp would commit the acts • Perp was a routine visitor to the victims • REASONABLE security had been provided based on information on hand at the time • No history of violence in the hospital

And More • Fired worker takes hostages • --Rocky Mountain News, Wed., March 15, 1995 • Bombings have increased 52.5 %

Is there crime in Grand Junction?

Hospital Security provided by • Security Professionals: • Largest & oldest of the security companies in Western Colorado • Provides security officer, Vip protection,alarm response with a central dispatch • Security for Walker Field, City of Grand Junction events as well as State Services Bldg.

Ron Smith- Owner • Retired GJPD • Mesa College, Brigham Young and University of Colorado • FBI Command School of Criminology • Numerous criminal justice schools and seminar's

Violence in the Workplace • Security is issue driven • Why ? • Timeliness

Violence this !

Who is a victim !! According to Northwestern National Life Insurance Company, 2,500 workers per 100,000 have been physically attacked on the job.44% of workplace attackswere committed by customers or clients

Who is a victim ?? • 24% by strangers20% by co-workers7% by bosses3% by former employees

Security Professionals brief • Local incidents • Hospital incidents • How to get help • How to report

Local Retailer; domestic violence. Background; who-what-where What was known? How could it have been prevented? Has the potential existed here? In-house domestic Violence Non-employee looking for employee partner Patients Local Incidents !

More in- house incidents • A patient in the unit hit his wife • Security called, working with wife • When police arrived, woman ran off • What could have happened? • What would you have done? • What if she had been armed?

Workplace Violence Prevention Program Community Hospital policy- Zero tolerance for Work Place Violence

Written Program (Continued)Security Policy • The workplace violence prevention program should do the following: • Create and disseminate a clear policy of zero-tolerance for workplace violence, verbal and nonverbal threats and related actions; • Ensure that no reprisals are taken against an employee partner who reports or experiences workplace violence;

Written Program (Continued) • Encourage employee partners to promptly report incidents and to suggest ways to reduce or eliminate risks: • Outline a comprehensive plan for maintaining security in the workplace; • Assign responsibilities and authority for the program to individuals or teams with appropriate training and skills;

Types of Serious Injuries and Deaths From Workplace Violence • Physical assaults • Beatings/stabbings • Shootings • Rapes • Attempting to cause physical harm, i.e.., striking, pushing, or other aggressive acts against another person

Acts of Aggression Which May Indicate Risk • Disorderly conduct, such as shouting, pushing or throwing objects, punching walls, or slamming doors; • Verbal threats to inflict bodily harm including vague or overt threats; • Fascination with guns or other weapons, demonstrated by discussions or bringing weapons to workplace;

Acts of Aggression Which May Indicate Risks (Continued) • Obscene phone calls; • Intimidating presence; and • Harassment of any nature.

Types of Workplace Violence Incidents • Based upon the relationship between the assailant/worker/workplace, violent incidents can be divided into categories: • Violence by strangers • Violence by customers/clients/patients • Violence by co-workers • Violence by personal relationship

Types of Workplace Violence Incidence (Continued) Homicides Leading cause of job-related deaths for women, second leading cause for men. Claimed the lives of 1,071 workers in 1994; approximately 3 workers died each day under violent circumstances. Nonfatal Assaults Between 1987-1992, one million persons were annually assaulted at work.

Most likely to be a victim !!!Where do you fit !!! • Exchange of money with the public • Working alone or in small numbers • Working late night or early morning hours • Working in high-crime areas • Guarding valuable property or possessions • Working in community settings (e.g., taxicab drivers and police) • Preventive Measures

Economic Impact ofWorkplace Violence- Success pay ? • According to the Department of Justice, assaults at work cost 500,000 employees 1,175,100 lost work days each year. • Annual cost of lost wages totals more than $55 million. • When the cost of productivity, legal expenses, property damage, diminished public image, increased security and other factors are included, the cost is measured in billions of dollars.

What can we do to fight back !! • Make high-risk areas visible to more people. • Install good external lighting. • Install silent alarms.

What can you Do ! • SCENARIO: you have been informed that one of your partners is "on the edge" and there is a definite potential for violence. • The employee is "in between"…past the PREVENTION stage, but has not YET committed violence. • Even if law enforcement has been called, the person is in your close proximity and may need to be defused right now.

NowWhat?? • The ball is in YOUR court. Do you have the skills to communicate in a crisis? • You need to ask yourself, "Is this a situation I can diffuse?" Whether yes or no proceed but initiate emergency codes.

Do What ? • Understand the mindset of the potentially violent person. • Take the moral "high road" • LISTEN to the aggrieved party and allow a total "airing" of the grievance without comment or judgment

Do what ? • Allow the aggrieved party to suggest a solution. • Move toward a win-win resolution

What we do !! • Avoid resistance during a robbery. • Have security check on workers routinely. • Restrict access during during high-risk hours (late at night and early in the morning). The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH-1998

Management Commitment and Employee Involvement • Management commitment and employee partner involvement are complementary elements of an effective safety and health program. • Employee partner involvement and feedback enable workers to develop and express their commitment to safety and health.

Employee Involvementis CRITICAL Should include the following: • Understanding and complying with the workplace violence program and other safety and security measures; • Participating in an employee feedback procedure covering safety and security concerns; i.e.: Phone, unusual occurrence reports, emails, and • Prompt and accurate reporting of violent incidents.

Summary Violence prevention programs and procedures are an essential component to workplace safety and health programs. Performance-oriented approach of the guidelines provide employers with flexibility in their efforts to maintain safe and healthy working conditions.

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