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Identifying and Dealing with Violence In The Workplace

Identifying and Dealing with Violence In The Workplace. “The best protection is knowledge and awareness.” Brought to you by : The Housing Security Crime Prevention Team. What is Workplace Violence?. Violence is not just a physical assault. Includes any act in which a person is: Abused

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Identifying and Dealing with Violence In The Workplace

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  1. Identifying and Dealing with Violence In The Workplace “The best protection is knowledge and awareness.” Brought to you by : The Housing Security Crime Prevention Team

  2. What is Workplace Violence? • Violence is not just a physical assault. • Includes any act in which a person is: • Abused • Threatened • Intimidated • Assaulted (Verbally or physically)

  3. What Can Trigger Workplace Violence? • Robbery/Theft • Employer/Employee Disputes • Revenge • Domestic Disputes

  4. Common Types of Violence • Disruptive or disorderly behaviors • Verbal abuse • Threats • Physical violence • Sexual Harassment

  5. Warning Signs of a Potentially Violent Person • Does not react well to criticism • Expresses feelings of others “out to get them” • Does not accept responsibility for own mistakes • Has had recent encounters with law enforcement/police personnel • Praises or identifies with workplace violence • Purposely intimidates, threatens, or manipulates others

  6. Warning Signs of a Potentially Violent Person (continued)… • Frequently angry or depressed • Other persons are afraid or apprehensive about this person • Resistant to change • Has a history of assaultive behavior • Has recently spoken of or acquired a weapon

  7. Varying Degrees of Aggression • Edgy, aggressive, short tempered (Mild Aggression) • Uncooperative, negative attitude and/or behavior (Advanced Aggression) • Verbal or physical release (Demonstrated Aggression) • De-escalation (calming)

  8. Recommended Reaction to Stages of Aggression • Be supportive, show empathy • Be firm, make your limits and boundaries known • Remove yourself from the situation, call for assistance • If any re-contact is anticipated, have a game plan in place [such as notifying your staff/co-workers to contact DPS if the person is seen in the area]

  9. Non-verbal Indicators of Aggression or Escalation of Violent Behaviors • Tone of voice (escalation in volume, negative tone) • Facial expressions • Body language (clenching/unclenching fists, pounding on a surface) • Invasion of personal space

  10. What are Threats? • Veiled threats (Better watch your back. I know where you work…) • Conditional threats (If you do not do this, you will seriously regret it) • Direct threats (I’m going to kill you)

  11. Dealing with Threats • Stay calm • Assess the situation, trust your instincts • Do not argue with the person • Call for help • Do not panic • Do not beg or plead with the person • Do not escalate the situation • Do not minimize the threat

  12. Basic Safety Tips • Never disclose personal information about yourself or others. It may be in your benefit to remove your home address and phone number from the University directory • Do not disclose when someone is on vacation or traveling • Never leave valuables out and unattended • Do not leave wallets, etc. in coat pockets (jackets hanging on chairs, etc.) • If you are leaving a purse, wallet, etc. in a desk drawer, LOCK IT

  13. Basic Safety Tips (continued…) • Always keep money in a secured location (not in an envelope in an unlocked desk, not in a random drawer) • TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS- if something does not seem right to you, it probably is not; get yourself out of that situation • If a co-worker or other person makes you feel uncomfortable, talk to a supervisor or someone you trust

  14. Basic Safety Tips (continued…) • If you notice a potential problem, report it- do not let it escalate • Avoid confrontations with co-workers • Be aware of the emotional climate at work

  15. What is Suspicious? • Trust your instincts- suspicious is sometimes a “gray area” • People lingering in areas for extended periods of time • Someone who seems to be watching for people watching them • Someone dressed to specifically conceal their features, and not dressed weather-appropriate

  16. What is Suspicious? (continued…) • Someone asking too many questions about something irrelevant (possibly creating a diversion) • Someone acting irate or belligerent for seemingly no reason

  17. Options for Dealing With Violence in the Workplace • If you have concerns about violence in the workplace, contact your direct supervisor. If your concerns are not addressed or that person is not the appropriate contact person for you, contact your area Human Resources representative. • If you are the victim of violence in the workplace or have an imminent concern for your safety, you should contact the Department of Public Safety immediately, by calling 911.

  18. Campus Resources: • Department of Public Safety/Housing Security: Non-emergency (734) 763-1131 Emergency- 911 • FASAP: (734) 936-8660 • Staff Human Resources: (734) 763-2387

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