Workplace Violence

Between 1992 and 2006 (the latest year for which figures are available) workplace homicides averaged 800 per year. Studies show that 1 million or more violent situations occur in the workplace every year! Workplace violence is very real and can explode anytime and anywhere. Threats, bullying, physical violence and even gossip can be classified as workplace violence, and any of these situations could lead to litigation, which could cost you plenty and even damage your reputation. Read this week's articles to see how you can help prevent incidents of workplace violence.

While policies and raising awareness can't completely insulate any nonprofit from the risk of workplace violence, it will help. (Item #1)   While you can't always predict and prevent workplace violence, you can plan to limit its impact. (Item #2)   This article looks at the problem of employee violence and what employers can do to deal with the issue and prevent a potentially devastating event in their workplaces. (Item #3)  

The initial step is to assess the potential threat of workplace violence based on the nature of your business and on the types of facilities and their locations. (Item #4)   By being more aware of our people and our actions, we can often prevent violence long before it has a chance to touch us. (Item #5)   Litigation can result from any incident of violence in the workplace.
(Item #6)  

As always, we look forward to hearing your comments & insights regarding business continuity. If you have a topic you'd like us to cover, email me at [email protected].

Bob Mellinger, President
Attainium Corp

1. Zero Tolerance for Workplace Violence

Workplace safety is one of those better-safe-than-sorry areas of management where prevention is critical. Although an organization's hiring and supervision policies appear to preclude violent behavior in the workplace, early intervention helps prevent more serious acts. Instituting a zero tolerance for workplace violence policy sends a clear message to all involved that in your nonprofit there are consequences for violent actions.
http://www.nonprofitrisk.org/library/articles/workplace-safety050607.shtml

2. How to Prepare 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. A USA Today analysis last year indicated that an average of 25 people per week are injured and one person per week dies from workplace violence.
http://www.csoonline.com/article/220716/how-to-prepare-for-workplace-violence

3. Training and Policy are Key to Preventing Workplace Violence

We live in a society affected by drugs, alcohol, and violence, so it is not that surprising that these come into the work place as well since employees come from that society. Given this fact, unless you have done real background investigations of all your employees, it is almost certain that at least some of them have a history of violence.
http://www.business-marketing.com/store/article-work-violence.html

4. Assessing Workplace Violence Risk to the Business

Over the last two decades, the Department of Labor and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have provided insightful information on workplace violence fatalities and nonfatal incidents. While these statistical reports have provided essential details, in most cases businesses have not been able to translate them into cogent plans to address this ever-present problem. This article will focus on helping those charged with the responsibility for addressing workplace violence to understand the potential business and financial impact of violence on their work environment.
http://www.securitymagazine.com/Articles/Feature_Article/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000589037

5. Workplace Violence - Critical Tips for Managers to Avoid Becoming the Victim of a Workplace Attack!

Everyday, managers are injured and killed from a workplace violence attack. In fact, workplace violence is the #1 cause of job-related deaths for managers! Here are some life-saving steps that you can take to avoid being attacked by an aggressive employee and becoming the victim of violence in the workplace!
http://www.articlesbase.com/human-resources-articles/workplace-violence-critical-tips-for-managers-to-avoid-becoming-the-victim-of-a-workplace-attack-1449197.html#ixzz0vO12fwiG

6. Avoiding workplace litigation

The principle sources for workplace litigation are violence (from both without and within the exhibitor organization); sexual harassment of employees, vendors and customers; age, sex and racial discrimination; and workplace safety factors. Each of these sources will be examined in future issues of this magazine and will offer exhibitors suggestions on how to prevent these sources from being a cause for litigation. In this essay, the topic is workplace violence.
http://www.ttgconsultants.com/articles/avoiding-litigation.html