Thomas McGee, L.C.920 Main Street, Suite 1700Kansas City, MO 64105

(816) 842-4800 * Toll Free (800) 423-9044www.thomasmcgee.com

PREVENTING VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE

Workplace Violence

2 million workers are victims each year Homicide – 4th leading cause of occupational

fatalities in U.S. Homicide – leading cause of death for women in

the workplace• Total declined by 7% in 2010• Those involving women increased by 13% in 2010• 17% of their alleged attackers were current or former

husbands or boyfriends

Agenda

What definitions are associated with workplace violence prevention?

What are the four categories of workplace violence? What are the general risk factors and common

prevention actions? What are the components of an effective prevention

program? What do you do after an incident of violence? What are some resources available for this topic?

Definition of a Workplace

Building or work area, including offices, reception areas, hallways

A remote site when workers are engaged in business

A vehicle, private or employer owned, when used for business purposes

Workplace Violence Definition

Three main types of violence: Verbal Abuse / Threats Threatening Behavior Physical Assault

Any of these behaviors alone or together constitute an incident

Verbal Abuse vs. Threats

Are abuse and threats different? Abuse may be intended to hurt

feelings or humiliate someone• May include profanity• Obscene phone calls

Threats create fear and cause concern for safety

Four Categories of Violence

Violence by Strangers Violence by Customers or Clients Violence by Co-Workers Violence by Personal Relations

Violence By Strangers

Usually involves criminal intent Someone enters workplace to commit a robbery

or crime

Risk Factors – Violence By Strangers

Face-to-face contact with public Exchange money with public Guard valuable property Work late night/early morning Work alone or in small numbers High crime area or community settings Working with unstable or volatile persons (social

service and criminal justice settings) Mobile workplaces

Prevention – Violence By Strangers

Drop safe or limited access safe Silent alarms Adequate lighting Control access to worksite Install security cameras Provide security personnel Address employee isolation factors Train workers in prevention

Violence By Customers or Clients

Assailant receives services from or is under custodial supervision of workplace or victim

This type of violence accounts for most non-fatal injuries

Assailants can be current or former customers or clients

High risk occupations:• Bus drivers, social service providers, health care

workers, teachers, law enforcement employees

Risk Factors – Violence By Customers and Clients

Work in isolation Work after regular hours Site has uncontrolled access Clients with past violent behavior Potential weapons visible and accessible,

including desk supplies and heavy objects Lack of quick communication capability to

security Lack of escape route

Prevention – Violence By Customers and Clients

Provide a quick method to alert security – panic buttons, personal alarms

Limit employee isolation with customers or clients

Implement client referral and/or assistance programs

Set up worksite so employees have easy exit – escape route

Eliminate access to any weapons

Violence By Co-Workers

Assailant has employment related involvement – usually a current or former employee or manager

Often seeking revenge when feel they are a victim of unfair treatment

Staff cuts Excessive overtime Stressful work environment Stress outside of workplace Grievances Personality differences Substance abuse Lack of protocols for discipline History of violent behavior Lack of training

Risk Factors – Violence By Co-Workers

Prevention – Violence By Co-Workers

Develop management policies for disciplinary actions, lay-off’s, terminations, etc.

Prohibit weapons at work Enforce a no tolerance policy for workplace

violence Encourage employee assistance and counseling

Violence By Personal Relations

Assailant confronts an employee at the worksite with whom they have a personal relationship outside of work• Current or Former Spouse• Lover• Friend• Relative • Acquaintance

Risk Factors – Violence By Personal Relations

Individual with history of violent or threatening behavior

Domestic violence offender Lack of providing controlled

access to worksite No policy regarding restraining

orders or protection of employees dealing with potentially threatening domestic issues

Prevention – Violence By Personal Relations

Control worksite access Encourage employees to report

harassment, stalking, domestic violence, restraining orders

Enforce policies on prevention and how to handle violent confrontations

Relocate employee to safe worksite Notify other staff as needed Prohibit weapons

Components of Effective Workplace Violence Prevention Program

Planning Policies

Training Physical Security

Planning

Establish and implement policies

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Develop training program Review program regularly

Planning

Policies

Should clearly indicate zero-tolerance of violence at work

Review by legal counsel Update periodically as

necessary Train on policies

• New• Amended• Existing

Policies

Training

Review policies Implement and/or discuss EAP Practice effective pre-

employment screening methods Train management and

employees Effective termination and layoff

practices Recognize and report potential

workplace violence problems Review crisis response plan

Training

Physical Security

Conduct threat assessment Exterior access control

• Gates, fencing, alarm system, cameras

Interior access control• Locked doors, enclosed

counters, cameras, door access cards/codes

Emergency plans

Physical Security

How Employers Can Protect Employees

Provide safety education for employees• What conduct is not acceptable• What to do if they witness or are subjected to

workplace violence• How to protect themselves

Secure the workplace• Install video surveillance where appropriate• Extra lighting• Alarm systems• Minimize access by outsiders

How Employers Can Protect Employees (cont.)

Equip field staff with cell phones Require field staff to prepare daily work plan and

keep a contact person informed of their location throughout the day

Keep employer-provided vehicles properly maintained

Instruct employees not to enter any location where they feel unsafe

Have a “buddy system”, escort or police assistance in potentially dangerous situations

How Employees Can Protect Themselves

Learn how to recognize, avoid or diffuse potentially violent situations

Alert supervisors to any safety or security concerns

Report all incidents immediately in writing Avoid traveling alone into unfamiliar locations or

situations when possible Carry only minimal money and required

information into community settings

Handling Violent Situations

Familiarize yourself with company policies and emergency procedures

Report any physical or verbal threats Never touch a violent person Use a calm, non-confrontational approach Take all threats seriously Familiarize yourself with resources available Seek immediate assistance if situation escalates

In Emergency Situation

Call 911 and security personnel if you have them Make sure to call using a phone out of sight and

hearing of violent person If you can, stay on the line until police arrive Do not intervene physically Get yourself and others to a safe place as soon as

possible

Following an Incident of Violence

Provide for immediate medical and psychological needs Notify police and support them in their investigation Account for all workers and assure continued safety of

those remaining in the area Provide accurate communication to agencies, media and

law enforcement Provide EAP or other counseling services for employees

if needed Assure confidentiality and protection from discrimination

to prevent victims suffering further loss

Following an Incident of Violence (cont.)

Assure a detailed investigation is performed

Include all incidents and near misses

Do not delay, important evidence can be destroyed

Focus on fact finding Keep detailed records

Following an Incident of Violence (cont.)

Collect facts on who, what, when, where and how incident occurred

Get witness statements Photograph damage/injuries Identify contributing causes Recommend corrective action Consider changes in controls, procedures, or

policies

Top 10 Ways To Prevent Violence In The Workplace

1. Foster a supportive, harmonious work environment

2. Train supervisors and employees how to resolve conflicts

Negotiating skills Effective communication Team building Resolving disputes

3. Develop effective policies to protect employees from harassment – defines harassment, specifies how to report it, explains how complaints will be investigated, presents consequences

Top 10 Ways To Prevent Violence In The Workplace (cont.)

4. Establish procedures for handling grievances

5. Provide personal counseling through an EAP Train supervisors how to refer employees for help

6. Implement security programs that protect employees

7. Provide employee safety education programs

8. Provide job counseling for employees who have been laid off or fired

9. Train supervisors how to recognize signs of a troubled employee

10. Set up a crisis plan

Resources

Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) -www.osha.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) - www.cdc.gov

National Crime Prevention Council - www.ncpc.org National Center for Victims of Crime - www.ncvc.org Employee Assistance Program Provider