July 18, 2007
These NewsBriefs are produced and delivered weekly by
Attainium to keep our friends and clients
current on topics relating to Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery and Crisis Management.
Five percent of all of the country's work establishments, including state and local government, had an incidence
of workplace violence in the previous year, according to a survey of workplace violence prevention by the Bureau
of Labor Statistics. The same survey also showed, however, that workplace homicides have dropped nearly in half
from 1992 to 2005. The Bureau defines a violent act at work as a physical assault, threat of assault, harassment,
intimidation or bullying. Eighty-two percent of large employers have a written workplace violence prevention program,
but all companies - no matter how small - need to have a policy or program in place.
Preventing on-the-job violence is difficult because it often involves changing the very culture of workplaces.
(Item #1)
An employer has an obligation to provide a safe work environment. What can be done to decrease the likelihood
and occurrence of workplace violence? (Item #2)
A workplace killer is likely to be a 37-year-old single man who has been with a company at least four years
(about 3% of attackers are women). (Item #3)
Workplace killings typically take just minutes, but workers and their companies often are left profoundly
traumatized. (Item #4)
The Rutgers web site has some good information and insights into workplace violence. (Item #5)
This ASIS guideline on workplace violence is thorough and helpful. (Item #6)
As always, we look forward to hearing about your concerns
with regards to business continuity. If you have a topic
you'd like to see covered, please email me at
[email protected]
Best Regards,
Bob Mellinger
President
Attainium Corp
Quote of the Week
"The fact that such a large percentage of the American population
has experienced workplace aggression demonstrates the need to address it."
- Aaron Schat -
Articles
1. Bullying in the workplace is a violence warning sign
Stories about horrific workplace murders and assaults have become common in the media. But far less frequently
reported are the day-to-day bullying and intimidation many employees experience from bosses as well as co-workers-experiences
that can not only undermine morale and productivity, but, psychologists say, also lead to the worst kind of workplace violence.
http://www.apa.org/monitor/jul98/bully.html
2. Pay attention to anger on job
Workplace violence costs employers billions of dollars in lost work time and wages, reduced productivity,
medical costs, workers' compensation payments and legal and security expenses. Providing training to recognize
and address workplace violence should be a regular part of an employer's annual training regimen.
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/0624biz-mackay0624.html
3. Inside the minds of workplace killers
A choking haze filled the hallways, spreading like an impenetrable fog. Larry Hansel, a technician who'd been laid off from Elgar,
a San Diego-based electronics company, shot out the company switchboard and set off homemade bombs. They were diversionary tactics.
As fire scorched the walls and employees scrambled for cover, Hansel wielded a 12-gauge shotgun and searched the second-floor
corridors for executives on his hit list.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/workplace/2004-07-14-workplace-killings_x.htm
4. Life after workplace violence
When Wendy's assistant manager Audra Blue heard popping sounds, she assumed the Frosty machine at the Greensboro, N.C.,
store was acting up again. Then she saw an employee holding a gun. Puzzled, Blue thought maybe he was defending the store
from a robber. She pushed the gun away, but he held it back to her face.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/workplace/2004-07-14-after-violence_x.htm
5. Workplace Violence
This section of the Rutgers web site presents general facts about workplace violence, such as which
occupations are the most dangerous and why, the types of workplace violence, and give suggestions for prevention.
Also included are details on what employees and management can do. Click on the links on the side for more information.
http://crimeprevention.rutgers.edu/crime/violence/workplace/intro.htm
6. Workplace Violence Prevention and Response Guideline
From ASIS International, this guideline provides an overview of general policies, structures, and practices
that organizations can adopt to: (i) help prevent threatening misconduct and violence affecting the workplace;
and (ii) better respond to and resolve incidents of threats and violence that occur.
http://www.asisonline.org/guidelines/guidelineswpvfinal.pdf
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