Workplace environment preventing_violence_in_the_workplace_(presentation_style)

Preventing Violence in the Workplace

Workplace Violence

Violence is the second leading cause of death in the workplace.

Workplace Violence

• 1980s – 760 murders

Workplace Violence

• 1980s – 760 murders

• 1990s – 1000 to 1600 murders

Statistics

An estimated two million workers are physically attacked each year.

Types of Workplace Violence

Outsiders

The perpetrator has no legitimate business relationship to the workplace and enters the workplace to commit a robbery or other criminal act.

Insiders

The perpetrator is either the recipient or the object of a service provided by the affected workplace or victim.

Employee Connection

The perpetrator has some employment-related involvement with the affected workplace.

Ingredients for Workplace Violence

Mental Illness

Mental illness is a core factor for those who commit workplace homicides.

Clinical Depression

Clinical depression is the most common problem seen by therapists, counselors and psychologists.

Personality Disorder

Personality has a tremendous impact on how we function in relationships, in the world and at work.

Personality Disorder

When the pattern of thinking and relating deviates from the norm, these traits can become personality disorders.

PTSD

Individuals who experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) have been exposed to a traumatic event.

Substance Abuse

Substance abuse and chemical dependency can lead a person to a violent action and increase paranoia and aggression.

Psychosis

A person who is psychotic has lost contact with reality and the ability to deal with normal, daily stress.

Limited Coping Skills

Limited or nonexistent coping skills lead to the inability to deal with normal, daily stress.

Limited Coping Skills

Individuals will often overreact to negative events.

Limited Support Systems

Inaccessibility to adequate social support systems places individuals at further risk for perpetrating an act of workplace violence.

Mental Illness

Workplace violence isn’t a reflection on society, organizations or managers but the employee’s inability to deal rationally and nonviolently with his or her problem.

Workplace Violence Perpetrators

Profile of a Typical Perpetrator

• Male


• Male

• History of violence


• Male


• Loner


• Male


• Loner

• Owns several weapons


• Requested assistance



• Angry person



• Angry person

• History of interpersonal conflict


• Socially withdrawn



• Introverted



• Introverted

• Paranoid



• Introverted

• Paranoid

• Engages in self-destructive actions

Disgruntled Complainer

Most cases, called “revenge attacks,” involve chronically disgruntled complainers.

Disgruntled Complainer

These perpetrators have chronic disciplinary histories, poor interpersonal relationships and a history of impulsive behavior.

Loner

The loner may work at an organization for years without anybody really knowing him or her.

Loner

Loners are most likely to plot and plan an act of violence.

Domestic Abuser

Domestic abusers include a current or former husband, lover, partner or boyfriend who come into the workplace to kill or injure their partners.

Domestic Abuser

When women are at work, their partners know where to find them, and this places not only the victim but the whole workplace at risk.

Romantic Obsessor

Romantic obsessors believe that the object of their attraction is in love with them.

Romantic Obsessor

The behavior generally escalates and may start with letters and intensify to harassing phone calls, attempted personal contact, threats and even assault.

Warning Signs

Warning Signs

• Attendance problems

Warning Signs


• Impact on manager’s time

Warning Signs



• Decreased productivity

Warning Signs



• Decreased productivity

• Inconsistent work patterns

Warning Signs

• Poor on-the-job relationships

Warning Signs


• Concentration problems

Warning Signs



• Safety issues

Warning Signs



• Safety issues

• Poor health and hygiene

Warning Signs

• Unusual or changed behavior

Warning Signs


• Fascination with guns or other weapons

Warning Signs


• Fascination with guns or other weapons

• Evidence of possible drug use or

alcohol abuse

Warning Signs

• Evidence of serious stress in personal life

Warning Signs


• Continual excuses or blame

Warning Signs


• Continual excuses or blame

• Unshakable depression

Dealing with a Potentially Violent Situation


1. Report any concerns or inappropriate behavior.


2. Pay attention to your “gut feelings.” Don’t panic – stay calm.



2. Pay attention to your “gut feelings.” Don’t panic – stay calm.

3. Speak in a normal voice.


4. Don’t argue.


4. Don’t argue.

5. Acknowledge the emotion of the situation.


4. Don’t argue.

5. Acknowledge the emotion of the situation.

6. Establish boundaries.


7. Ask questions.


7. Ask questions.

8. Know your reporting procedures.


7. Ask questions.

8. Know your reporting procedures.

9. State consequences.


Emergency Responses

Emergency Responses

• Protect yourself

Emergency Responses


• Call for help

Emergency Responses


• Call for help

• Evacuate the building

Preventing Violence in the Workplace

Documents

Workplace environment preventing_violence_in_the_workplace_(presentation_style)