VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE

1. VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE Presented by FARA on the behalf of The Office of Risk Management

2. PRE-TEST • 1. Select from below which are types of violence: • Physical • Verbal • Psychological • All of the above • None of the above • 2. What are reportable incidents? • Only serious ones • Any acts or threats • Only those by non-supervisors

3. PRE-TEST • 3. To help prevent acts of violence, it is a good idea to always be • aware of your surroundings. (True or False) • Employee ______________ in an agency’s Violence in the • Workplace Program is imperative.

4. STATISTICS “According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, in 1994, the rate of violent victimization in the workplace of government employees (99.2 per 1,000) was over five times greater than the rate for employees in the private-sector (18.5 per 1,000). From 1994 to 2011, the annual average rate of workplace violence against government employees was at least twice that for private-sector employees. The study period ended in 2011 with the rate of workplace violence for government employees (18.0 per 1,000) lower than its levels of the mid 1990s but was over three times greater than the rate for private-sector employees (5.2 per 1,000)”.

5. DEFINITIONS • Violence: • Any verbal, physical, or psychological threat or assault on an individual that has the intention or results in physical and/or psychological damage

6. DEFINITIONS CONT’D • Workplace: • Any location where the employee is, due to job requirements

7. BACKGROUND INFORMATION • Types of violence • Physical • Verbal • Psychological

8. BACKGROUND INFORMATION CONT’D • Types of threats • Veiled • Conditional • Direct

9. BACKGROUND INFORMATION CONT’D • Reportable act • Any violence, threat or other aggressive behavior

10. By students or clients By relatives SOURCES • By strangers or vendors • By co-workers

11. EFFECTS • Physical injuries • Psychological/emotional damage • Interruption in business

12. ADDITIONAL EFFECTS • Increased costs • (E.G., increase in security) • Damaged public image

13. RISK FACTORS • Isolated work areas • (E.G., remote locations: on campus or in a building) • High-risk environments • (E.G., campus or a building)

14. RISK FACTORS cont’d • Solo work • (E.G., night class instruction or working late hrs.) • No means of communication

15. RISK FACTORS cont’d • Financial responsibilities • (E.G., making deposits) • Nature of service or responsibility • (E.G., student’s Grades • Unrestricted movement in the workplace

16. RISK FACTORS cont’d • Low staffing during peak times • Lack of employee training • Lack of program implementation

17. SAFETY TIPS • DO: • Be aware of your surroundings • Know where your exits are • Implement a “buddy system” • Leave with keys in hand • Consider workplace layouts

18. What’s wrong with this picture?

19. SAFETY TIPS • DO: • Secure your workplace daily • Move your vehicle if working late • Escort all visitors/vendors in the workplace

20. SAFETY TIPS • DO: • Maintain the ability to communicate • Report all incidents • Inform management of restraining orders • Train all employees

21. Early Warning Signs

22. PERSONALITY TRAITS • Low self-esteem • Low productivity • Low impulse control • Lacks empathy • Social withdrawal

23. PERSONALITY TRAITS CONT’D • Feelings of rejection • Resists change • Feelings of being picked on • Easily frustrated • Challenges authority

24. WHAT TO LOOK FOR... • Obsessive behavior • Increased absenteeism • Chemical dependency • Verbal threats or threatening actions • History of discipline problems

25. WHAT ELSE TO LOOK FOR... • Depression & isolation • Defensiveness • Emotional outbursts • Interests in weapons • Self-destructive behavior • Affiliation with gangs

26. Conflict Resolution

27. THINGS TO REMEMBER • 1.Do NOT get physical • 2.Do NOT over-react • 3.Do NOT take the challenge • 4.Be a good listener • 5.Know what is reallybeing said

28. MORE THINGSTO REMEMBER • 6.Give them space • 7.Watch what you say non-verbally • 8.Reference self-interest • 9.Speak of consequences NOT threats

29. State Government Intervention

30. STRATEGY • Form an assessment team • Secure a copy of your agency’s Violence in the Workplace Program • Provide training for all employees

31. STRATEGY cont’d • Conduct an assessment • Take corrective action • Monitor & evaluate

32. REMEMBER...

33. You Play a Role!!! • Recognize warning signs • Stay in control • Collectinformation • Report all incidents • Train all employees

34. POST TEST QUESTIONS • Name personality traits to look for as early warning signs of possible violent behavior. 2. The workplace is any location the employee is located due to requirements for his/her job assignment. (True or False)

35. POST TEST QUESTIONS • Veiled, conditional and direct are the three types of _____________. • List some effects of threats of violence in the workplace. 5. You are at more at risk when workplace security procedures are bi-passed? (True or False)

36. POST TEST QUESTIONS • Select sources of violence in the workplace: • Strangers • Co-workers • Clients/students • Personal Relations • All of the above • None of the above

37. POST TEST QUESTIONS • ___________ all incidents is the key to prevention of violence in the workplace. • Lack of program implementation and employee training can increase the possibility of violence in the workplace. (True or False)

38. This concludes the presentation on workplace violence. If you have questions regarding this safety topic, please contact your agency’s floor warden or the safety coordinator. THANK YOU