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Preventing Workplace Violence. Welcome. This training course was developed by WeComply , a leading provider of ethics and compliance training since 1999. The course is also available online from any Internet-connected computer.
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Welcome • This training course was developed by WeComply, a leading provider of ethics and compliance training since 1999. The course is also available online from any Internet-connected computer. • WeComply offers 60+ courses on a wide range of business ethics and compliance topics. Each course helps employees spot key compliance issues and respond appropriately. • This course is designed and licensed for classroom use in parallel with WeComply's online course on the same topic. This course may not be hosted on a learning management system or distributed to employees individually by electronic or other means without WeComply's prior authorization. • For more information about this course or others, whether for classroom use or online access, please e-mail info@wecomply.com or call 1-866-WeComply.
Introduction • Thank you for participating in our Preventing Workplace Violence training course. This course includes information about (1) workplace-violence prevention, (2) risk factors, (3) how to identify a threatening situation, and (4) what to do if you're in or near one. • Keep in mind that this material is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. If you have any questions about how this material applies to your job responsibilities, please contact your supervisor. 1 of 19
Workplace Violence Huge Drain • The U.S. Department of Justice found that workplace violence typically causes lost days of work. The National Safe Workplace Institute estimates that costs of those missed days, along with legal costs associated with the violence, exceed $4 billion a year. Research also shows that those who witness violence in the workplace report increased stress and depleted morale, which could lead to lower productivity and more absenteeism and turnover. • Incidents Have Both Financial and Emotional Costs 2 of 19
What Is Workplace Violence? • Workplace violence includes — • Verbal abuse • Physical abuse • Threats of abuse • Harassment • Intimidation • Other disruptive behavior • Behavior may consist of verbal or written statements, gestures or other means of communicating threat of harm 3 of 19
Pop Quiz! • Brittany and Jorge have been having a heated discussion about their work. At the end of the day, Brittany fires off an e-mail message that ends, "Don't sleep too soundly tonight. I know where you live. ;)" The ;) is intended to show that she is winking. Could this be considered workplace violence? • Yes, because it's a threat. • No, because she's obviously joking. • No, not if she intended it to be a joke. • Yes, but only if Jorge takes it seriously. 4 of 19
Types of Violence • Types of workplace violence: • Criminal intent: Intruder commits violent act while committing crime • Customer/client: Someone with legitimate relationship to organization becomes violent while being served by organization • Worker on worker: Employee or former employee attacks or threatens another employee in workplace • Personal relationship: Someone with personal relationship attacks/threatens someone in workplace • Criminal-intent violence accounts for 85% of workplace homicides 5 of 19
Risk Factors • Risk of workplace violence is higher where the work involves — • Interaction with the public • Working alone or in small numbers • Doing deliveries or guarding valuables • Working with unstable populations • Working late at night, early in the morning or in high-crime locations • Other areas noted in risk evaluation • Employees working under these conditions should be aware of risks • Supervisors should provide extra prevention measures if needed 6 of 19
Work Stress, Violence Linked • One of every ten U.S. workers claims to work in an office where stress has led to physical violence, according to a recent survey. Four out of ten report yelling or other verbal abuse in their workplace. Higher stress levels are blamed on longer work hours, more pressure from bosses, rude clients and co-workers, and — last but not least — excess caffeine. • One in Three Workers Has Yelled at a Co-Worker Due to Stress 7 of 19
Prevention Methods • Methods to help prevent workplace violence: • Providing increased visibility in high-risk areas • Installing adequate external lighting • Minimizing available cash • Posting signs stating that there is limited cash on hand • Providing training in conflict resolution and non-violent self-defense • Establishing reporting systems for incidents of aggressive behavior • Supervisors should ensure that these methods are carried through • Employees should report non-compliance to supervisor or HR 8 of 19
Security Measures • Department heads/supervisors are responsible for putting security measures in place, which may include — • Security alarms — some employees may need special systems to enable them to summon help quickly • Security guards/monitoring — full-time/after-hours guards or monitoring systems may be needed • Limited-access key cards • Visitor sign-in policies — visitors should log time, location and purpose of all visits • Safety training 9 of 19
Pop Quiz! • When you sense a potentially violent situation, you should contact security or the police as quickly as possible. • True. • False. 10 of 19
Zero Tolerance • We are committed to zero tolerance of workplace violence, including — • Hitting or shoving • Threatening to do harm to people or property • Using obscene language or exhibiting obscene behavior • Acting in an intimidating or abusive manner • Shouting or speaking in raised voice unnecessarily • Possessing or inappropriately using firearms or other dangerous devices on our property 11 of 19
Red Flags • Some behaviors present red flags of a potentially violent incident: • History of emotional or mental disturbance, or threatening/violent behavior • Alienation from other employees • Disdain for authority or sympathy for perpetrator in accounts of violence • Sudden decrease in productivity or decline in personal hygiene • Extreme stress from a life crisis • Obsession with weapons • If co-worker presents red flags, report it to your supervisor or HR 12 of 19
Violence Runs Gamut • The Bureau of Justice Statistics found that the occupations with the highest workplace violence are police officers, corrections officers, taxi drivers, bartenders, mental-health custodians, special-education teachers, gas-station attendants, mental-health professionals, junior high school teachers, convenience-store workers, bus drivers, high school teachers, nurses and physicians, which had more incidents of violence than all other occupations combined. The number of employees killed in proportion to the number in the field determined the risk. The perpetrator in about 11% of the homicides was a co-worker, former co-worker or a customer. A firearm was the weapon of choice in more than 80% of the workplace homicides. • Risk Exists Across a Variety of Professions 13 of 19
Dealing with a Volatile Situation • Be prepared to respond appropriately • Guidelines for interacting with potentially aggressive/violent person: • Situate yourself near a door or exit space • Stay calm, speak in low voice, don't argue • Treat the other person with respect • Listen with empathy without being judgmental/defensive • Monitor non-verbal clues • Avoid invasion of another's personal space • If person is out of control, call 911 14 of 19
Weapons • Employees may not wear, transport, store or display firearms or other dangerous weapons on work premises • Employees who violate rules face disciplinary action, including termination • Dangerous weapons include — • Firearms — loaded/unloaded, assembled/disassembled • Knives, switchblades, brass knuckles • Bows, cross-bows, arrows • Fireworks • These rules do not apply to on-duty law-enforcement personnel, on-duty security personnel, or persons engaged in military activity 15 of 19
Reporting Procedures • If violent situation is imminent, contact your supervisor immediately • If supervisor is unavailable, contact anothersupervisor or HR • If you suspect a violation, report it in writing unlessthere is an immediate threat or danger • You will not be retaliated against for reporting a violationin good faith 16 of 19
Response Plan • Violence or threat of violence is against our policy and may be against the law • We will take action against acts or threats of violence by employees or others • We will investigate all complaints thoroughly • We will preserve confidentiality to extent possible • Immediate threats • All legal, human-resource, employee-assistance, community-mental-health, and law-enforcement resources may be used in response • Risk of injury to all workers must be minimized 17 of 19
Other Elements • Department heads/supervisors are responsible for maintaining other elements of program: • Maintaining a respectful working environment • Responding to grievances • Employee Assistance Program • Conflict resolution • Job counseling for terminated employees • Recordkeeping 18 of 19
Final Quiz 19 of 19
About WeComply • WeComply is a leading provider of customized ethics and compliance training solutions. We are committed to providing the best-of-breed training content, technology and customer service. • Specializing in ethics and compliance training since 1999 • 60+ ethics and compliance training courses in 42 languages • Content partners include the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), Proskauer Rose and White & Case • 500+ clients of all sizes and in all industries 1-866-WeComply
Course-Delivery Options • WeComply offers training courses in multiple delivery formats to reach all employees -- not just those with computers: 1-866-WeComply • Online – available 24/7 from any computer • Mobile – tablets and smartphones • Offline optionswhen Internet access is unavailable: • PowerPointwith presenter notes for classroom training • PDF booklets with tear-off certifications • CD-ROM/intranetwith tracking via e-mail • Phone-based training and certification
Online Training Benefits • While classroom training has certain advantages, it can be challenging to implement in large and/or geographically dispersed companies. Consider these advantages of online training: • Better Attendance • Higher Completion Rates • Less Impact on Productivity • Perfect for New Hires • Convenient for Remote Locations • Available in 42 Foreign Languages • Easy Access to Courses • Periodic Refreshers Blended Benefits Get the best of both worlds by providing classroom training where feasible and online training elsewhere – all centrally tracked and organized for easy monitoring and reporting.