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Workplace violence CAN happen in your organization. According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the workplace is the most dangerous place to be in America. Workplace violence is so pervasive that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have classified it as a national epidemic. According to the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), there were 564 workplace homicides in 2005, and homicide is the leading cause of death for women at work and the second leading cause of fatal occupational injury for men. Read the articles below to learn more about workplace violence and how to recognize it and prepare to deal with it.

Anyone can become a victim of workplace violence. (Item #1) Computerworld presents guidelines for recognizing and preparing to deal with workplace violence. (Item #2) Putting the right team in place is the right step to developing a successful workplace violence protection program. (Item #3)

Handling problems in the workplace is management's responsibility, but HR is increasingly bearing much of the burden. (Item #4) Do you know what impact violence can have on your workplace? (Item #5) You may need separate insurance coverage to protect you against the aftermath of workplace violence. (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

"Executives must be burying their heads in the sand
if they fail to see the potential for violence in their organizations."

- Workplace Violence Headquarters (http://www.workplace-violence-hq.com/) -

Articles

1. Violence Can Happen Here
A very real, clear and present danger lurks just beyond the consciousness of people who work together eight to ten hours a day, five to seven days a week. It is the potential for violence to occur in your workplace.
http://humanresources.about.com/od/healthsafetyandwellness/a/workviolence.htm

2. Nine steps to preparing for workplace violence
Workplace violence is awful, and to deal with that awfulness, we tend to describe it as a random act by an unstable person. Yet, that's not true, according to Chris McGoey, an expert and consultant on workplace violence who has investigated many of the worst cases in recent history. "In virtually every case there were signs beforehand which were ignored."
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9016199&pageNumber=1

3. What's Growing in the Corporate Culture?
Management's perception of the workplace can be far from reality even in the best of organizations. Most experts on occupational violence agree that the success of a workplace violence prevention program depends to a large extent on the executive committee set up to establish and oversee the program. The primary function of this committee is to formulate policies and implement and administer the workplace violence program.
http://www.workviolence.com/articles/corporate_culture.htm

4. HR managers face legal aspects of workplace violence.
Because of media exposure, lawsuits, and the increasing incidence of workplace violence, what once seemed like a remote possibility has gained visibility as a significant legal issue as well as a safety problem. And HR managers increasingly are among those expected to address it.
http://www.allbusiness.com/human-resources/412125-1.html

5. Domestic Violence in the Workplace
Domestic violence can spill over into the workplace, compromising the safety of both victims and co-workers. Its impact on the workplace may include lost productivity, health care costs, absenteeism, and employee turnover.
http://www.opdv.state.ny.us/workplace/index.html

6. Workplace-violence insurance: Meeting an unfortunate need
Workplace shootings emphasize that every workplace could harbor an undetected threat who could cripple a business and create emotional havoc for employees. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize your business' risk, and some insurance companies can provide remedies for businesses marred by workplace violence.
http://www.insure.com/articles/businessinsurance/workplace-violence.html